The Cost of No Reform: Everybody Pays.
Posted By: James Buford 
Date Posted: September 20th, 2009 Category: Reform
As we all know healthcare reform has once again become a hot-button issue for the American public. Not since the Clinton-era have we heard such a heated debate on whether the government needs to reform healthcare. Statistically speaking, the need is undeniable: at an average annual cost of $7,439 per person, medical debt is the principal cause of personal bankruptcies in the United States. Today, more than 45 million people live without medical coverage in this country and, as a result, many are unable to pay their mounting doctor and hospital bills, resulting in billions of dollars in losses for the healthcare industry.
In our country’s public-private healthcare system, Medicaid pays for medical care for low-income individuals, families and disabled persons and Medicare pays for healthcare for our nation’s retirees. Despite this, there is a noticeable healthcare funding gap for: individuals who are ineligible for health insurance due to pre-existing conditions; part-time and full-time workers who are unable to pay expensive premiums; and newly laid-off workers who cannot pay for COBRA coverage. In the end, everyone pays for the healthcare woes of the nation. Now is the time for healthcare reform in this country.