Healthcare in the forefront of our lives



Healthcare reform has taken center stage in Washington, D.C., in newsprint and over the airwaves. Bloggers, political pundits, commentators and analysts all share their endless opinions about the state of healthcare in the U.S. and the current efforts to curb its exorbitant costs-both monetary and social.

But while the political debate rages, the real and urgent worries of the American people are evident in hospitals, waiting rooms and living rooms across the country.

I generally favor reform that will lead to more affordable insurance coverage, and therefore better access to healthcare, but I haven't been completely convinced about the wisdom of a public plan administered by the government. It's not fear of the "slippery slope" that some critics cite, warning that a public plan will eliminate private competition and devolve into a single-payer system, that makes me wary. I'm more concerned about the addition of a whole new layer of regulations that may be punitive to small businesses just trying to hold on in this tough economy.

But I'm also keenly aware of the need for a safety net for those who are currently uninsured.

Last week, my husband's right eyelid suddenly began to droop. With no other symptoms, the droopy eyelid didn't seem too serious, but his doctor at the new VA clinic in Mount Vernon thought otherwise. Considering the possibility of a mild stroke, my husband was advised to get to the emergency room at the Seattle VA Hospital that evening.

He spent the next three days at the VA Hospital, undergoing a myriad of diagnostic procedures that would have undoubtedly cost thousands of dollars at a private facility. During those three days, he received excellent care and professional treatment from compassionate and knowledgeable doctors, nurses, orderlies and other staff members.

The hospital is not a luxury resort. The buildings show their age and the facilities are utilitarian, to put it mildly. A visit to the cafeteria is a quarter-mile hike from the inpatient tower, and family members may be asked to transport their loved ones to radiology or other departments if a volunteer isn't available. But none of those minor inconveniences affect the level of care.

We left the hospital with a reassuring diagnosis, scheduled follow-up appointments and our few financial resources intact. Thanks to his military service, my husband's care was courtesy of the Veterans Administration, an example of government-run healthcare that may not be pretty, but is nonetheless a critical component of the country's medical system.

An affordable and inclusive public insurance plan could provide the same peace of mind for the many thousands of uninsured in our state and our nation. Without coverage, many are already on a "slippery slope" leading to poorer health and financial annihilation.

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