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What about the children?
The Commonwealth Fund's 2001 report evaluating health-care systems across the globe revealed that the U.S. had "the most severe health-care access problems related to cost, the greatest medical expense burdens, and the most pervasive inequities in care between adults with above-average and below-average income." Sobering summary given that the curve has not bent much since then. Yet a modest review of the statement reveals a striking omission--there is no mention of children.
As of 2008, children comprise 24 percent of the U.S. population and (in the near future) will be 100 percent of the U.S. adult population. Though we have heard the insurance companies' fears, listened to the concerns of the elderly and convened meetings with health-care professionals, the voice of children remains muted. True, we have made progress with the reauthorization of the children's health insurance program (CHIPPRA), but millions of children remain uninsured, the U.S. infant mortality rate remains one of the highest in the industrialized world and our children are laden with chronic illnesses, including obesity. Moreover, the U.S. remains the only wealthy nation to let children go without health-care coverage.
Prioritizing and developing the mechanisms to insure the health and wellbeing of all children are essential. The health care systems of Japan and the Netherlands reveal that insuring all people, including children, can be cost-effective and beneficial. Everywhere, children must become a natural part of the discourse on health care. By not including them in policy changes at every level, we dismiss our nation's potential and our children become the casualties of compromise. The U.S. must have a bold and aggressive national policy agenda on children--and our current focus on health care is a great place to start.
This past week, hundreds of pediatricians and child health advocates convened in the nation's capital for the American Academy of Pediatrics' National Conference & Exhibition. There, pediatric heroes were celebrated and advances in child health applauded. Nevertheless, we acknowledged that greater strides must be made on behalf of children. If children are marginalized in health-care reform, then our health-care system's problems will not be resolved. Only until this condition is met will we enjoy the benefits of a complete and robust health-care system for all.
By
Chisara N. Asomugha
|
October 23, 2009; 12:01 AM ET
| Category:
Health Care Reform
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Posted by: lensch | October 23, 2009 1:12 PM
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Right, but the same considerations apply to all. Why not give decent health care to every man, woman, and child? HR676 does exactly this. Because of the enormous waste in the high overhead and compliance costs of private insurance, we can give an improved Medicare to eveyone as this bill proposes, and it will not cost us any more than we are now spending, probably less.
Can we have your support?