Larchmonters Get Educated, Speak Out on Health Care Reform

As Congress debated details of national health care reform, a group of local residents met in a Larchmont home to discuss their own objections to the current system and to learn more from a health care policy expert. Like others gathering in grassroots groups across the country, some at the meeting were also looking to spur action at the federal level.

Kate Kelly opened the gathering in her home on June 2 and voiced support for reform: “It’s the right thing to do.” Of particular concern to her is the plight of people excluded from insurance plans because of chronic illness, like her young adult daughter who needs special care for lupus. After a tremendous struggle, her daughter found insurance where she lives in California, but she would face a new battle for coverage should she move to another state. Another motivation to press for expanded coverage, said Ms. Kelly, was the terrifying prospect of a pandemic outspread of disease while 47 million Americans lack health care insurance.

Nancy White, co-host of the meeting, asked why she must spend so much for her health insurance. “Health care should be a right, not a privilege,” she asserted.

Dr. Betsy Rosenthal, a Larchmont resident and dermatologist in practice for 35 years, asked, “Why isn’t health care a human right here, as it is in so many other countries of the world?”

Westchester County Legislator Judy Myers, a Larchmont resident, pondered, “Why isn’t universal health insurance required? We require all drivers to have car insurance.”

Tim Foley, health care policy coordinator for NYC for Change, helped the group understand current conditions and outlined principal obstacles to “changing the game.” He also outlined what Congressional health legislation may entail.

Why the current urgency for change? Mr. Foley noted:

Over the past decade, health insurance premiums have increased 400% while medical debt accounts for 50% of all personal bankruptcies;
Health care consumes 16% of our GNP, and health care costs are increasing at an untenable three times the rate of inflation; and
18,000 deaths per year occur among the uninsured.

“We have the most expensive health care system in the world, but not the best quality one,” he lamented. But, conditions seem more favorable to change than ever, given the large number of Congressional leaders admitting a need for improvement and a president, public, and labor unions mobilized for reform.

What Plans Are Likely?

Mr. Foley speculated that Congress will come up with some kind of “consensus” plan. Consumers could stay with current health insurance plans they like. Or they could find better coverage through a national health exchange portal to various private health insurance plans that would provide the same medical, dental and eye care benefits that Congressional representatives enjoy, without penalties or exclusions for chronic illness. A third option lies in a public health insurance system, administered by the federal government, that would offer reduced cost through negotiated prices for medicines, streamlined administration, restrictions on excessive medical procedures, and more preventive treatment.