Sam Purtill

(cross posted from Facebook)

I originally opposed a government plan here in the US. There are countless stories of people that are denied care, have to wait in long lines, and have inferior doctors/medicine in countries where the government runs healthcare. And then my own personal fear of letting the government invade one of the most important aspects of my life: my health.

Right now, I have the best health insurance money can buy. I am perfectly happy with my doctors and how the system works for me. If I have a sore throat, not only can I walk down and see my doctor at my convenience, but I can call him, email him, instant message him, anything - the best service one could ask for. If I ever come down with a terminal illness, I’ll be covered from beginning to end at the best hospital, with the best doctors, most expensive medicine, the whole bit. I even get little benefits, like massages, accupuncture sessions, and more to keep myself in the best health possible. This gives me all the more reason to be opposed to reform: the fear that I may lose out on all these benefits I currently have.

A few months ago I took a step back and began looking at the numbers and statistics. Regardless of how the system is working for you, there are tens of millions who have been left disenfranchised: 47 million Americans don’t have health insurance; the US is ranked #37 on the WHO list - lower than Canada, Puerto Rico, France, Italy, and a host of other countries; the incentive health insurance companies have (to profit) is the most backwards incentive you could have in an industry where we’re dealing with human lives.

I don’t think a government plan will be perfect; we all know there will be shortcomings and horror stories due to the reform. I don’t think any plan will be absolutely ideal, or work for everyone, or create the proper incentives for everyone in the system. But what we’ve currently got is broken and is only getting worse, and I think what’s currently on the table is something that’s going to be a great leap forward for the majority of Americans and humanity as a whole.

As human beings, I believe we have a moral imperative to see that everyone has a right to life regardless of their socioeconomic status. I am willing to give up some of the benefits I get from the current system that works for me to make this country (and world) a more equitable place.

We must fix this.

Further reading regarding the moral imperative: Paul Krugman’s “The Conscience of a Liberal”