We can’t afford not to reform health care

Sam Lieberman

Sunday, July 5, 2009 | 2 a.m.

President Barack Obama has said we are at a time of great challenge. We face wars abroad and a struggling economy at home. But with great challenges come great opportunities. The problems we face require more than the usual Washington quick fix; they require fundamental change.

There are few better examples of the need for fundamental reform than in our health care system.

Our health care system is broken. Health insurance premiums are going through the roof and the number of uninsured is rising. Forty-seven million Americans don’t have insurance, either because they can’t afford the high premiums or because they were denied coverage because of preexisting conditions — including 470,000 Nevadans.

Many families are losing their choice of doctors to insurance cutbacks — some are losing the choice even to visit a doctor when they’re sick. Elderly couples across Nevada are being forced to choose between buying groceries or the medications they need.

We’ve all heard stories from friends and families who have been affected by the high costs of health care. On a recent call with reporters, the president told us about a woman in Minnesota who worked hard, saved and built up a nest egg for retirement. Then she was forced to watch all her savings disappear on health care costs after having a stroke. Sadly, stories like these are all too common.

It is for students, seniors, children and every other hardworking Nevadan that we must reform the health care system.

But reform isn’t just a moral imperative, it’s a fiscal imperative. State and local governments are facing cutbacks across the board and can no longer bear the burden of emergency care for the uninsured. Businesses, large and small, are struggling to balance their books and are forced to cut jobs because they can’t afford the rising cost of insuring their employees.

Politicians from both sides of the aisle agree that the system isn’t working. So now it’s time to move from talk to action, and that’s why President Obama, with the help of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, has committed to swiftly enacting substantial reform that’s based on three principles — reducing the costs of care for families, businesses and government; guaranteeing Americans can keep their choice of doctor and coverage; and ensuring that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health insurance.

Reforming the system will undoubtedly be a huge undertaking. Health care is an issue that affects every American, and the only way we can successfully change the system is by bringing all voices to the table. That’s why President Obama will tackle this in the same way he has taken on all the major challenges of his administration — by listening to voices on all sides of the debate.

Advocates such as Reid, who is championing reform that will make health care affordable for uninsured Nevadans, will play an important role. Many proposals are being discussed by Congress. Reid will reach across the aisle to help move beyond the divisive arguments that have plagued past attempts at reform, and find the option that works best for all Americans.

This nation can no longer bear the burden of a broken health care system. We must act now to enact reform that works for families, local governments and businesses alike.

Sam Lieberman is chairman of the Nevada State Democratic Party.