There can be no comparison for health care reform

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November 22, 2009

Anonymous The Laurel Leader-Call Sun Nov 22, 2009, 11:22 AM CST

For some time now Democrats in Congress have pointed towards Germany and Canada as the models to follow on health care reform.

But recent reports suggest they might want to rethink those two countries as examples.

The Wall Street Journal published an article on November 18th, entitled “Germany Strains to Fund Health Care for all”. Apparently the Germans are having problems maintaining their public health care system under current budget challenges. Their system is facing an 11.1 billion dollar shortfall this year spurred on by two things we are all too familiar with: rising deficits and unemployment.

Also, keep in mind that Germany’s public health care system is one of the oldest around. The program was originated in 1883. In other words if a public-socialized system were the answer to our health care problems, I am sure the Germans would have perfected it by now.

And as for Canada, their spending on health care is expected to increase by 5.5 percent totaling $183 billion by the end of this year.

In short, both countries will be able to maintain their health care systems but only if they increase taxes or increase the size of their deficits.

Which leads us to ask, if these are the two models of reform we are striving for will there future be ours as well?

The answer is yes considering we face many of the same challenges those two countries face.

Take obesity for instance

One of the main culprits to higher health care costs in Germany and Canada stems from obesity. For example German men between the ages of 18- 80 are overweight causing a considerable rise in their health care costs. In Canada 61 percent of their population is considered overweight.

Likewise the American Public Health Association warns that unless our waste lines improve the United States will be spending 21 percent of health care costs on obesity related illnesses by 2018. The rate is currently at 9 percent.

None of these estimates on obesity were considered when the House passed their version of health care reform which is estimated to cost over $800 billion and I doubt they are being considered in the Senate version either.

The thing about health care reform is, whether in this country or another, someone is going to have to pay the bill and it’s going to be expensive, more expensive than in countries like Germany or Canada.

If for no other reason, you can consider that we have nearly three times the German population and about seven times Canada’s.

So although there are similarities in the symptoms to the cure for America’s health care problems are unique to us.

That doesn’t mean our system of health care doesn’t need reforming. Knowing that America has at least 45 million uninsured makes that need undoubtedly true.

But in the end a more realistic approach will have to involve reforms in the insurance industry itself, a strong and focused commitment to preventive health care (which has yet to be defined exactly what preventive health care is) and an understanding by Congress that any so called reforms should not overburden the American tax payer or eliminate freedom of provider choice.

All of that should be done plus guarantee the highest quality in patient outcome.

That sets the bar pretty high when comparing to other countries.

But even when considering health care reform, that’s the American way.

Davon Gray is a Laurel native who lives in Washington D.C. and works in government and political affairs, including the presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). And for the past seven years has written a weekly column “Beyond the Rhetoric” for The Potomac News. Contact him at beyondtherhetoric@verizon.net

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