Health insurance a human right and ethical obligation

Last month like many Americans, I enjoyed watching the superb athletes who competed in swimming, diving, soccer, basketball, volleyball, archery, gymnastic, shooting, equestrian, track and field and other events of the XXIX Olympiad held in Beijing.

One could only be impressed by the vitality, strength and skills of these athletes achieved through years of training and practice in the pursuit of their Olympic dream.

By the way of contrast, in the midst of the Olympic Games, I attended a meeting of religious leaders, convened by Dr. Richard Daines, the state health commissioner, which served to underscore that, notwithstanding the wonderful healthcare and financial support our Olympic athletes receive, there are millions of uninsured Americans.

Youths neglected

For example, in New York there are 2.6 million people under the age of 65 without health insurance and 1 out of 6 of the uninsured are children or teens.

That’s 415,000 uninsured children, approximately 10,000 of whom live in our Diocese of Albany. Without health insurance these children and adults are left to rely on a patchwork system for necessary medical care.

The purpose of our meeting at the state Health Department was to offer the faith community’s help in covering uninsured children through the state’s Medicaid or Child Health Plus programs.

For the past several years our Diocese, through our schools, Catholic Charities, parish programs, and with Fidelis Care, the health insurance program sponsored by the bishops of New York, has been reaching out to families in need. (Information about enrolling uninsured children can be obtained by calling 1 (800) 698-4543 or by contacting Fidelis Care or Catholic Charities.)

Life postponed

However, the challenge of addressing the needs of the uninsured applies to working adults as well. Newspaper reports demonstrate anecdotally how health care challenges are leading some from the altar and others to the altar or to divorce.

Vicky Readling is a real estate agent in Salisbury, N.C. and has to buy her own insurance. As a breast cancer survivor, she cannot do so. Only one insurance company in the state will cover her – for premiums of $27,000 a year, more than she can afford.

Although middle class, she might be better off poor enough to qualify for Medicaid. Vicky has been cancer free for the 15 months since her health insurance expired. By scrimping and careful saving, she had been able to make the doctor visits and take the tests her condition requires.

Feeling well, she and her fiancé set the date for their marriage. But, as the wedding approached, Vicky began to worry about her fiancé, also a real estate agent. Joint premiums would bankrupt them, as would the costs of her cancer coming back. Vicky postponed her marriage.

Wedlocked

Conversely, health issues rushed Brandy Brady to the altar. Brandy had a kidney transplant last year. The demands of dialysis forced her to give up her store manager’s job and eventually she lost her insurance. Now on Social Security and Medicare, Brandy still has thousands of dollars in medical bills.

That’s when she and her boyfriend, Ricky Higgins, started talking about marriage. They reason that if they wed, Ricky could add her to his policy. That combined with Medicare would provide full coverage. Ricky and Brandy say they love one another but felt pressure to move up the date of their wedding to resolve her health issues.

Then, there is the story of Michelle and Marion Moulton who are being forced to consider divorce so that she can qualify for insurance.

Ruptured nuptials

Michelle, a 46-year old Seattle homemaker with a husband and two children learned three years ago that she has serious liver damage. Her husband Marion, a self-employed painter, maintains catastrophic coverage for his family. Its high deductible and unpredictable reimbursements have left them $50,000 in debt. A liver transplant for Michelle could add unthinkable sums.

As debts and desperation mounted, Michelle concluded that divorcing her husband of 17 years might make her eligible for subsidized coverage. To which he responded, “No one should have to make a choice like that. What happened in our country?  I don’t remember growing up like this.”

Unfortunately, for millions of American’s, that’s healthcare today: bad choices, inflexible bureaucracies, faceless insurers, charity care, and the possibility of dying because a check-up was postponed.

Time to change

The healthcare system in our United States is in trouble. About 46 million Americans are uninsured and, last year, 18,000 Americans died because they could not afford health insurance. These grim statistics exist despite our spending nearly $100 billion dollars annually to treat uninsured people.

Even for the insured, rapidly growing premiums and co-pays have caused nearly one-third of Americans to be uninsured for a month or more during the last three years.

While changing our nation’s healthcare policy is the solution, reaching public consensus will require debunking some deeply entrenched myths.

* Myth I:  People without health coverage do not work. Fact: Eight out of 10 people who are uninsured are in working families.

* Myth II: Most uninsured people in the United States are minorities. Fact: Non-Hispanic whites make up half of the uninsured.

* Myth III: Virtually everyone who works for a large employer has health coverage. Fact: In 2005, 23.1 percent of the nation’s uninsured workers age 18-64 were in firms employing more than 500 people.

* Myth IV: Most people without health insurance are poor Fact: In 2005, more than 32 million of the uninsured had household incomes of $25,000 or more, compared with 14.6 million in households earning less.

Catholic organizations have long called for healthcare reform. For example: the United States Bishop’s statement, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” points out that “affordable and accessible healthcare is an essential safeguard of human life and a fundamental right.”

Aspects of change

While the bishops have not endorsed any specific plan to accomplish reform, a recent document issued by Ascension Health, which sponsors Seton Hospital in Troy, and St. Mary’s in Amsterdam, entitled “Our 100% Campaign: Insuring Healthcare Access and Coverage For All,” suggests some features.

These include: a redesign to produce safe, effective and quality service; coverage for all; equitable benefits for the poor and vulnerable, and for those needing mental health and substance abuse services; affordable small group and individual coverage; and sufficient and fair financing.

In two months, our nation will elect a new president and a House of Representatives and our state will elect a new legislature.  One issues we should evaluate before casting our ballot is where candidates stand on healthcare. Our voice and our vote can help provide healthcare for all. To seek such a policy is both a moral and civic responsibility.

(09/04/08)