Some estimates suggest there are 40 million Americans who are uninsured; many more thousands are “underinsured.” As the debate about health insurance rages, these 40 million Americans have the most to lose and are suffering.

Those fighting against a public option or some version of government run health care are participating in classism. Failure to pass health care reform with a public option simply increases the wedge between those that “have” and those that “have not.”

According to the U.S. Committee on Energy and Commerce, in Maine’s 2nd congressional district, 14 percent of the population (or 91,000 individuals) go without insurance. In 2008, residents of Maine’s 2nd congressional district experienced 740 health care related bankruptcies, primarily caused by inadequate insurance coverage. In that same year, heath care providers in the districts provided $140 million worth of uncompensated care to individuals who lacked insurance coverage.

Many ignore the fact that the United States already has a form of government-run option. In rural states, as well as metropolitan areas, taxpayers virtually fully fund hospitals. Medicaid, Medicare and health benefits to veterans are already supported by taxpayer dollars. We also have Medicaid, Medicare and VA hospitals.

A study reported by Health Affairs, the policy journal of the health sphere, says in the U.S., it would be less expensive for the government to provide insurance to the uninsured than provide medical care for them. In essence, we would save money by getting out of the business of providing the care and instead helping Americans get insurance.

The opposition is grasping at straws with the argument that a public option plan will be detrimental to the U.S. deficit. According to Bloomberg.com, the 2008 deficit under President George W. Bush was $490 billion. One version of reform in the U.S. House calls for $239 billion in spending over 10 years. $239 billion is 15 percent of the Bush tax cut; it is also one-quarter of the cost to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We turn a blind eye to unjust wars and tax breaks for the wealthy while the lifeblood of America is suffering. Again, classism rears its ugly head. While the $239 billion is staggering and difficult figure to comprehend, those who use the deficit argument aren’t telling the whole truth. This reform will be paid for by fixing efficiencies in Medicaid and Medicare and through a tax on the income of wealthiest individuals.

In Maine’s 2nd congressional district, the surtax to pay for this reform will affect 1,300 household, less than 0.4 percent of the taxpayers. That is fewer than twice the number of health care related bankruptcies the district is likely to see.

The reform that so many are fighting against will provide a credit for many of Maine’s small businesses (against their tax liability), provide another insurance option for employers and reduce overhead and administrative cost.

A public health insurance exchange and public option will increase the number of options for all Americans. Working together with private insurers, markets will again be competitive, holding both the government program and private insurers accountable. 

A portion of President Barack Obama’s speech
on Wednesday focused on his plan to help the 40 million or so Americans who don’t have insurance (and those who may lose it).
We should embrace a system that invites private insurers to have access to millions of potential customers. The insurance
exchange will require insurance companies to act reasonably, to cover
pre-existing conditions and cease the practice of changing the terms
of policies mid-term.

For their efforts, insurance companies can attract new customers and Americans will have the
opportunity to acquire affordable, reliable health insurance. The
power needs to be given back to the people; insurance companies have
been too negligent in their commitment to be fair and honest.

This is an investment in America. The failure to pass meaningful health care reform with a public option will only deepen the deficit, push us further into recession and damage the spirit of America.

Will Fessenden is a past chair of the Androscoggin County Democratic
Committee, considers himself a “community/grassroots organizer” and
serves on several nonprofit boards and committees. He works in Auburn
and lives in Sabattus with his wife Jennifer and their two boys.
E-mail: [email protected].