Healthcare in America

The Kaiser Family Foundation's healthcare survey had some troubling findings. In the past five years, premiums have increased 73%. Americans are paying an average of $1,100 more per family. Due to price pressures, only 60% of companies offer health coverage, down from 69%. These are ugly findings.

I don't understand how the current administration can ignore these factors. Not only do these cost increases hurt American people, and consequently the economy. They also make the U.S. an even less attractive place for labor. It amazes me that the United States' per capita spending exceeds most European nations, yet those nations cover everyone.

The time to respond is now. America's weaknesses and inability to support its people has been exposed through the tragedy in New Orleans. This might be a quieter issue, but it's a disaster in the making. Expensive inaccessible healthcare is bad for people, businesses, and the country.

The tragedy in New Orleans

Mother nature dealt New Orleans a terrible blow with the hurricane and subsequent flooding. Unfortunately, the response was almost equally disheartening. Perhaps the most amazing aspect was the complete lack of mass action on Thursday. I realize it's a massive undertaking, but, if nothing else, drop a mass of food over the city.

Given the significant funds funneled into national security and disaster planning, the response was unacceptable. New Orleans isn't an amazingly large city at just over 1 million. With 80% of the city evacuated, the amount was even more reasonable. So, how could have it possible taken days to see any real movement with the evacuation?

A lack of planning was evident. The national government was slow in its response. Blame, from both sides, has been put on a lack of manpower with the number of folks in Iraq. It's unfortunate, but those folks in Iraq could have easily dealt with the looting that was comparatively modest. Given the heat, lack of action, and time that passed, there easily could have been more unrest.

In the end, we have to be sure that days won't pass in such a disaster. It's amazing that needles were shared to provide medical care. Perhaps the United States government has to learn to be less defensive and more open to improvements. Whether it's Gingrich or Clinton, few can claim that the relief effort's execution has been solid. Sadly, sometimes we forget to focus on what is occurring at home.