Submitted as a Letter to the Editor:
As the debate on health care reform wages on, I have grown increasingly frustrated with the media coverage of the issues. The reporting on health care reform has almost exclusively focused on the process of legislation rather than reporting on the impact of health care reform or lack of reform. I am tired of hearing about the Republicans threat to filibuster, the Democrats plans to use reconciliation or the negotiations that have occurred between various groups in Congress. Please take the time to tell people what is in the bill and how it may affect them.
How many stories have highlighted the thousands of individuals who have lost their employer-sponsored health insurance after losing their jobs and what impact health care reform legislation would have on their ability obtain affordable health insurance? How many stories have highlighted the thousands of individuals who routinely do not receive life-sustaining or life-saving medical care because of their fear of the costs or the lack of health insurance? How many stories have highlighted the impact of pre-existing condition clauses on health insurance premiums in making health care exorbitantly expensive to the point where people’s health condition go from manageable through inexpensive outpatient therapy to conditions requiring costly emergent care with hospitalizations?
How many stories have highlighted the impact of increasing number of uninsured or under-insured on the County health systems and the impact that will have on the already frail County and City of Chicago finances?
Instead, media coverage has fueled the bitterness and frustration individuals have with the process of legislation by neglecting to report the impact of the current, broken state of health care on those that are sick and the caregivers attempting to help them get better.
As a physician who cares for patients, I have grown increasingly aggravated with the glib media coverage of an issue that has such a significant impact on people lives daily.
Before the final vote on health care reform occurs, I hope that newspapers and news organizations will take time to educate and inform the public on the content of the bill, what it means for our nation and our city.
Sincerley,
Suneel M Udani MD MPH
| I like this story | |
Welcome to Dr. Suneel Udani's story page!
You can share this page using the tools on the right-hand side of the page.
People can also leave comments on this story and recommend this story. So check back often.
Comments:
ABOUT US:
We are fighting for provisions to help more patients get the care they need and to limit the power of insurance companies. Doctors for America is a grassroots movement of over 16,000 physicians and medical students in all 50 states.