Effect on the U.S. economy

One of Indiana's U.S. senators avows that, with the economy in such a fragile state, 2009 is not the time to attempt healthcare reform. Respectfully disagreeing, I believe that the state of the economy is a reason healthcare reform must happen, and soon. Half of consumer bankruptcies are directly related to healthcare costs! Americans pay too much (16%) of gross national product for healthcare expenses (Time, 9/14/09, p. 22). Prices for keeping employer-related insurance policies rise, while the covered services fall.

At current rates, households will have trouble managing healthcare costs without financial support. In a recent Boston Globe essay, Tom Daschle and John C. Danforth note that the Bipartisan Policy Center recommends “that Americans making under 400 percent of the federal poverty level receive enhanced protections.” (http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/).

Inevitably, when we change the pattern of healthcare coverage, repercussions will vibrate through the economy. However, that seems a reason to proceed carefully rather than to halt the effort. Transition in any large segment of the system must affect the whole.

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Structure of the healthcare system
Roles of professional participants in the system