The conversation on health care and financial security: Takeaways from the Kerrey-Hagel forum
Prairie Fire has promoted the discussion of the many complex issues surrounding health and medical services by presenting several provocative essays over the last 17 months. We are convinced that health care reform will be a prominent item on the agenda of our next U.S. president. Last month, Prairie Fire was proud to be a health care reform discussion cosponsor for the Hagel-Kerrey event.
This issue features an essay by Tanya Dick explaining the mechanics and advantages of a Health Savings Account. One of the attendees of the health care reform forum has, in addition, provided the following review and call to action. Our December issue will feature Nebraska State Treasurer Shane Osborn’s explanation of the innovative Long-term Care Savings Plan that he has developed. We hope that many of our readers will support the call for an ongoing discussion of this vital issue.
Almost 800 citizens gathered on the UNL campus on Oct. 9 to listen to a conversation between U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel and former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey.
The forum was sponsored by AARP, the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center and Prairie Fire newspaper. The focus of the event was health care reform in the United States. Among the points made by either Kerrey or Hagel were:
*Health care is a responsibility of every citizen. Each citizen must take responsibility for exercise, diet and personal health habits such as smoking.
*Available, affordable and quality health care is a right of every individual.
*What we are hearing now about health care reform is only politics.
*Health care reform will only happen if it is done on a bipartisan basis.
*Health care reform cannot be done by politicians alone.
*True health care reform must be done by health care professionals and citizens at large.
*The U.S. needs to decouple the link between health insurance and employment.
*Each of the presidential candidates has proposed plans that have some merit, and parts of each will need to be included in a reform package.
*It must be recognized that every medical error is not a grievous offense worthy of a lawsuit.
8Health care reform will not happen overnight. It must be a thoughtful and careful process.
At the end of the “conversation,” W. Don Nelson gave a stirring call to action. He urged that everyone be sure to register to vote, listen carefully to the candidates and VOTE. Then, he called for Nebraskans to reassemble in smaller groups to formulate plans for health care reform.
If you are interested in getting involved in a group to discuss the issues of health care reform, please contact janet[dot]coleman[at]alltel[dot]net.
It may be possible for Nebraskans to propose a change in our health care.
Janet Coleman began her volunteer work in health policy in the 1970s with an appointment to the board of trustees of the former Lincoln General Hospital. She has continued as an outspoken public member of health care programs at the state and local level. She is spearheading a plan to get Nebraskans involved in planning for national health care reform.
The Hagel-Kerrey health care forum video can be viewed in its entirety on the Prairie Fire Web site. Essays regarding health care reform written by Sen. Chuck Hagel and former Sen. Bob Kerrey can be found in the September edition of Prairie Fire and also in our Web site archives.
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