I hope that many of you will take the time to watch this video. If it doesn't break your heart then you are made of stone.
In this segment of a 60 Minutes program you will see the heartbreaking state of health care in Appalachia. You will also see the stark difference between Kentucky (a state that embraced the Affordable Care Act) and our neighbor West Virginia (a state that did not). West Virginia legislators allege that federal support for the ACA will drop leaving the states holding the bag for the health of their citizens. Do you see what is wrong with this position?
The lack or alleged lack of funds to perform the simplest tasks afforded to government is not a matter of not having enough money. It is a matter of how we apportion the funds that are available. In Kentucky, as in many states , there is a crying need for comprehensive tax reform that will meet the needs of funding state operations in a modern society. Our most recent budget cut education, medical care and all sorts of consumer programs and turned around and gave millions away in tax breaks to political cronies. Lexington is asking for bonding capacity and funding up to $65 million for a renovation of Rupp Arena. Now, in our state of Kentucky we have KYnect that is the state run version of the ACA which is an extension of Medicaid. Many of us know that Medicaid is not the best choice in the world but it is something. In the states that did not put in place medical care under the ACA there are millions who are still unable to access affordable health care. There are still 24 of those states, mostly in the south and west which are strong red states run by the GOP.
The question I ask those opposed to the ACA is "OK, what else can we do to insure these people have adequate health care?" It is not just an ethical conundrum but also one of economics. You can pay me now or pay me later.
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