America's Economic Future Requires Health Care Reform - Maryland Commons: Interactive News & Commentary

America's Economic Future Requires Health Care Reform - Maryland Commons: Interactive News & Commentary:

"We are told reforming health care is impossible in tough economic times. However, it is not only possible, it is necessary for economic recovery.

Health care costs are rising 2.5 percent faster than the nation’s gross domestic product. At this rate, health care will consume as much as half of household income by 2018.

In a global economy, American businesses cannot compete when the cost of health care is so high. Does it make sense for the auto industry to spend more for health care than for steel?

The current situation is unsustainable; we must enact fundamental, comprehensive reform to create a system that works."

There is a state bill called the Maryland Health Security Act (HB 1186, SB 881) and a national resolution called HR 676. Both would create a health system based on a single public payer. To learn more or become involved, go to www.mdsinglepayer.org and www.guaranteedhealthcare4all.org

It is time to set aside ideology and enact health care reform to provide everyone with continuous access to health care from birth to death, simply and less expensively. This is what a civilized society does.