Rest uninsured, America!

Recently, I was scanning through the New York Times and happened to find an excellent article "No job, no insurance, no health care" about America's health care and how the society is struggling to deal with it. It is time for Congress to step up and help the citizens until major health reforms take effect.

The editorial gave out disheartening facts about America’s healthcare. Millions of Americans, who have lost their jobs in the economic downturn, have lost their health insurance as well. According to the article, nine million working-age adults who lost their jobs between 2008 and 2010 became uninsured.  The majority of those laid off workers are forced to go for medical care that they cannot pay for. This article has a point when it comes to healthcare expenses. Nearly three-quarters had to use up all their savings, took out loans when they could, or even declared bankruptcy because they were struggling to pay for medical bills. I strongly agreed when the article stated that Congress should extend unemployment benefits to help to jobless pay for healthcare. However, as Congress negotiates healthcare reform, Democratic leaders have put the interests of insurance companies ahead of the needs of its citizen. Due to a major factor that the large campaign contributions made most by insurance companies, Democrats have decided to protect those companies instead. While the lack of health insurance is estimated to kill 18,000 Americans annually, for-profit insurance companies kill far more with their unreasonable denial and delay in approving treatment as they seek to maximize their profits.

It is true that America does not need to spend more money on health care. Our health care expenditures amount to more than one-sixth of our economy. Just the amount of tax dollars we already spend per capita on Medicare and Medicaid is greater than the health care expenditures of other industrial countries, yet they manage to cover everyone. Health industry defenders argue that we spend more money because we are a “rich” country and have the discretion to invest in health care and to live longer. But many other industrial countries spend less than we do, yet live longer and have better health care systems. According to the article, the substantial help will not arrive until 2014; therefore, we need Congress to take action now and aid millions of Americans buy insurance on new exchanges as well as expand Medicaid coverage for the poor.

Quality or Quantity?

Most of the time, people get lost in the idea of finding a job; however, they do not pay attention to what kind of job they wish to obtain. Low-wage economy can cause such tragic consequences on the society. It is time for the government to step in and help improve the quality of jobs.

According to the article Yes, we need jobs. But what kind?, the median wage for adults in Rio Grande Valley in Texas is only $8.14 an hour. One in four employed adults earned less than $6.19 an hour. Economic stress strains people’s life. Not only do they fear of paying several bills, but also of unexpected costs such as illness, broken car, and challenge of basic needs. Parents have to labor days and nights, they can't afford to miss a day of work to take their kids to doctor's appointments or to school conferences. Teenagers have no motivation in education and question why they should stay in school if all they can get are low wages.

Several researches have shown that if employees are paid better and given more opportunities, the gains outweigh the expenses. It’s time for the federal government to take the lead in creating not just more jobs, but more beneficial jobs. For example, many low-wage jobs in the private sector are financed by taxpayers. The government can set and enforce wage standards for contractors. Labor standards have to be upgraded and enforced now in order to make our society more efficient.