When did being an American become a health risk?

We live in a country in which 233 years ago we were guaranteed “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”, with our without health insurance. Today, life, financial liberty, and the pursuit of happiness can only be achieved when one has no pre-existing conditions, has not born children, and has a lifetime government job. For the rest of us, the founding fathers’ words hang like carrots at the end of an interminable stick. In a modern world, we must ask ourselves why only some Americans can enjoy the principles on which this country’s foundation was built while others are excluded? In other words, when did being an American become a health risk?

As imperfect as health reform may be, it’s a necessary step to give the respect and merit back to the most valuable asset of the United States, its citizens.  As it stands, The WHO ranks the US health care system number 37, between Costa Rica and Slovenia. All industrialized countries have universal health coverage, except for the United States. How can the first country to put a man on the moon slip between the cracks here on Earth and accept a ranking that is on par with developing countries?

Recently, a group of Americans living and working in Germany gathered to share their experiences with a universal health care system. Azieb, a teacher from Washington, recalled, “I joined my husband's insurance on the day we got married. Our premium didn't go up and my pre-existing condition wasn't an issue.  It was such a relief to have full coverage added to the fact that I could visit any doctor at any time.” Alisha, a small business owner from California, told us, “I did not have to pay anything for the birth of my daughter. I had an emergency Cesarean and stayed in the hospital for five days. The gynecologist appointments, as well as the midwife’s services, and pregnancy and postpartum care, were all covered by my public health insurance plan.” Sannie, a student from Vermont, worries about her parents back at home in the States. “Both of my parents are currently unemployed, and as a result, uninsured.  When both of them were working, they were covered by my mom's plan from her job.  However, my mom has been unemployed for a little over a year and they have been uninsured since then because my dad's job never offered insurance.” Robin, a freelance translator and editor from California, talked about the Artists’ Insurance plan through which she receives her health insurance. “I'm very fortunate to have been accepted by a special health care option for artists and other self-employed professions. They pay 50% of my health insurance and social security and I pay the other half. This plan is not available in the States, which is the main reason that I'm still here.” Finally, Gary, a consultant from Pennsylvania, conveyed his astonishment at the cost of health coverage in the United States when he tried to purchase insurance for his daughter, who had, up until now, been covered by the German universal system, so that she could participate in a seven-month internship in the United States this semester. “It was an amazing culture shock to find that, even if we paid hundreds of dollars per month for coverage, normal premiums would only provide coverage for emergency treatment, and then only after we paid a deductible of $5000. Luckily, we were able to find a German insurance provider that would cover someone for up to two years worldwide. Coverage for all eight months will cost less than 20% of the MONTHLY premium we had been looking at in the US.”

Our experiences at home and abroad make it clear that America will have to find her own path to a health care system worthy of our independent heritage - we cannot and should not expect to reform the American system by copying foreign examples that have evolved over time under vastly different circumstances. However, we do think it is important to share our stories as proof that universal health insurance CAN work, and it CAN be affordable and preserve freedom of choice for the insured. Therefore, we hope that the moral consciousness of Americans will overcome their desire to settle political scores so that all hard-working citizens, regardless of profession or economic status, will once again be recognized as the integral part of the fabric that made our great country what it is today, and what will prevent our country from fraying at all the corners in the years to come.