By Toni Vafi
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 20, 2012
Regarding “Single-payer is the key” (May 16): From the inequities and insufficiencies in care to medical bankruptcies, Dr. Ed Weisbart reminds us of the millions of Americans suffering and dying for lack of health care. Those of us using this system are reminded of our own precarious position each time we seek medical care. It seems strange that our lawmakers and politicians fail to see the difficulties described in this Dr. Weisbart’s commentary and experienced by all of us.
The smug 800-pound gorilla ā the health insurance industry ā sitting in the center of the room gobbles up about 30 cents of each health care dollar. While it provides nothing in actual health care, it spends a lot time searching patient histories for policy loopholes that enable it to deny care. This is known as “obligation to stockholders,” my friend. Politicians smoothly refer to our health system as “the best in the world” but blandly ignore the gleeful gorilla victoriously surveying the scenes of destruction.
Isn’t it time for policymakers to grasp the cruelty of the present health care reimbursement system and transform it so that needed health care can come before obligation to stockholders? Isn’t it time for politicians to realize that the electorate no longer believes their commentary on our health care system? Isn’t it time for us to pay more attention to the Dr. Weisbarts of the world? I believe it is.
Toni Vafi resides in Webster Groves, Mo.