By Richard Bruning
The Baltimore Sun, Letters, Dec. 27, 2024
People are justifiably angry at the health insurance industry and the recent article highlighting their practices (āLuigi Mangione murder case draws scrutiny of health claim denial rates, with three of Marylandās top insurers higher than average,ā Dec. 17) validates those concerns. However, focusing on the failures of UnitedHealthcare and others distracts us from the overarching problem: our profit-driven health care system is broken.
The United States is the only developed country that does not guarantee health care to its populace. In 2022, 27.6 million were uninsured (8.4% of the population) and many more millions were underinsured. The United States spends 40% more than any other country in the world yet ranks 42 in health care outcomes.
In an op-ed piece in the New York Times, Andrew Witty ($25.2 million in salary/benefits), the CEO of UnitedHealth Group said he was āwilling to partner with anyone … to find ways to deliver high-quality care and lower costs.ā He should consult with Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) and Healthcare-NOW. For years, they have supported Improved Medicare for All. This program would guarantee every American continuous coverage from birth to death for all medically necessary services, regardless of income, employment status, pre-existing conditions or where they live. Because everyone would be in the same plan, administrative costs would plummet creating massive savings. PHNP estimates that 95% of all households would save money under this plan.
There is a solution to our healthcare morass but only if we have the courage to fight for the change we need.