Retired doctor, John Geyman, MD, recently published his 24th book about the nation’s health care system titled: “Growing Costs of U.S. Health Care – Corporate Power vs. Human Rights – Is Reform Finally Within Reach?” The book makes a strong case for national health insurance.
“We have seen at least a 60-year debate on this issue, and every time it comes up, for-profit industry wins,” Geyman told The Journal with a shake of his head. President Teddy Roosevelt first proposed legislation for a form of national health insurance. It was defeated then and ever since.
The Commonwealth Fund in New York has conducted ongoing studies of health care systems for many years. For decades, the United States has ranked at the bottom among 12 highly developed countries. It remains at the bottom for health care, whether for affordability or quality of care. The success of those countries, says Geyman, is that they use various forms of national health insurance.
The book starts by discussing the influence of money in health care. When changes in the U.S. health care system are debated, the outcome of negotiations has depended in large part on a coalition of four major corporate stakeholders labeled the Big Four – the insurance industry, pharma (the drug industry), the hospital industry and organized medicine (mostly favoring a private market-based system). The public interest is largely left out of these negotiations as revenues being sought by for-profit companies become our costs as patients and taxpayers.
The Trump administration’s recent cuts to Medicaid and Medicare will be disastrous to seniors and families alike. “At least 15 million people will be without Medicaid, while changes will not be in the best interest of patients. Starting with pregnancies, there will be increases in infant mortality.” And, Geyman added, “Too many people will miss health care altogether.”
Currently, legislation for national health insurance has been brought forward in Congress by Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Senate and Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal in the House. Polls show that the American public supports national health insurance by 60%, higher than often depicted. There are powerful forces, however, that want us to think it’s low and not bring it up. In an effort to inspire reform and avert further crises, Geyman has sent his book to legislators and many others in our country.
Surveys show that the Norwegians and the Swedes are some of the happiest people globally. Geyman comments that they live without the stress of whether or not they can afford medical treatment for themselves or loved ones.
“It’s a challenge to stay optimistic, but we have to stay optimistic and look for the obvious answer,” Geyman says. The book is available at Griffin Bay Bookstore in Friday Harbor.
