By Richard Bieser, M.D.
The Denver Post, Letters, July 30, 2019
Medicare will celebrate its 54th birthday on July 30. Ironically, 54 is too young to qualify for Medicare for most people.
Imagine how different our country would be today if we had decided in 1965 that Medicare would cover health care costs for all Americans.
Imagine never needing to choose between seeing a doctor or filling a prescription and paying the rent or putting food on the table.
Imagine not living in fear that you and your family could become impoverished if you were to get sick or injured.
Imagine not having to stay in a job you hate because you’re afraid to lose your health insurance.
Now imagine that all the above has come true for all your neighbors, all across this country, and that one of the strongest reasons for the profound level of inequality in our country has been removed.
Imagine that American life expectancy and infant mortality are among comparable democracies, rather than among the worst, and that real people in real families have healthier and longer lives.
Imagine being proud that, in our country, we provide care to all who need it, not just those who can pay for it.
Of course, you have really just been imagining Medicare for All. We made a start 54 years ago. Let’s finish the job.