No We Can’t

Written by Dan Howse

“Obama was elected largely on the platform of offering universal healthcare.  Two years later, he has failed miserably in his attempt to deliver it.”

Barack Obama rode into office on a wave of reform.  With the image of a warmongering, poorly spoken George W. Bush freshly ingrained in the public consciousness, here was a chance for hope.  A well-spoken, debonair African-American was running for presidency—and he was doing it on the platform of healthcare reform.  Even political cynics like me became optimistic.  As controversial as the United States of America’s foreign affairs can be, as debated as drug and gun control legislation frequently are, America’s healthcare was almost inarguably crippled.  Despite spending more money on health care than any other country in the world, America ranked 37th according to the World Health Organization.  More than any other issue, Obama was elected on the basis of health care reform.

Over two years later, healthcare reform legislation has finally passed.  However, many of the same problems with the former plan still exist, and if anything, they might have become more challenging.  The new plan that passed on March 25 falls far short of the plan promised two years ago by Obama and fellow democrats.  For anyone who has not been following America’s healthcare debate over the last two years, here is a quick summary.

Unlike us Ontarians, Americans do not have universal healthcare.  Americans could buy insurance—provided they met a certain number of qualifications, such as not having a variety of preexisting illnesses or medical conditions.  This is (to dramatically oversimplify) one of the main reasons why cigarettes, beer and even generic grocery store items are cheaper in most states than in most provinces—because there is no public plan for healthcare.  Proponents of this system frequently cite that American government should be as limited as possible, arguing that the additional taxation Canadians, French, British and the vast majority of the developed world pay is not an effective allocation of resources, instead favouring privatization of health care.  This system certainly does have its benefits—for the right price, medical services are indeed faster and frequently more effective.

However, this system is also laden with corruption and injustice.  Without a universal coverage option, healthcare is not considered a right in the United States.  Specifically, if I were diagnosed with treatable cancer in Canada, the Ontario government will do its best to offer me treatment.  If I were an American, without a health plan, there would be no treatment available.

Obama was elected largely on the platform of offering universal healthcare.  Two years later, he has failed miserably in his attempt to deliver it.  The most widely publicized piece of the bill drafted last week was the extension of coverage to 32 million more Americans.  While the extension of coverage may sound like a lofty ideal, it does not make healthcare more affordable for these payers.  Furthermore, no public universal option has been passed.  While 32 million more Americans will now have the option to pay for healthcare, many millions more will still go without.

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