Dr. Robert Arrom: Struck down, abandoned by our health system

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12:47 PM Friday, October 2, 2009

The recent death of 22-year-old Kimberly Young tragically and dramatically illustrates the injustices and inequity of our current health care system.

In the prime of her life, she was a recent graduate of Miami University in Oxford with double majors. Even though she was employed, she did not enjoy the benefit of health insurance provided by her small business employer, who could not afford it.

When she fell ill with pneumonia, she delayed — as many do — entering the health care system. By the time she finally accessed it, she was extremely ill and could not be helped. Her untimely death represents the failure of our society to protect all its citizens.

Like her, millions of Americans delay access to health care due to lack of health insurance. The cost of this strategy is enormous in terms of human suffering and the loss of human lives. As a society, we also pay a premium for their care because when they access the health care system, they are frequently sicker; it is also more costly to restore their health.

Americans remain unconvinced and undecided about the merits of health care reform. Critics of reform have portrayed it as being akin to socialized medicine. Nothing is further from the truth. In reality, government would play only a small role if the public option remains a viable alternative.

Health care reform seeks to accomplish two goals:

• Universal access to care for all citizens.

• Cost reduction — by eliminating waste, duplication of services and defensive medicine.

America does not need to fear health care reform. Maintaining the status quo is unacceptable and unfair to the uninsured. It is also unacceptable and unfair to the insured; they are often insufficiently protected by our current health care system, as health care bills are responsible for the majority of personal bankruptcies.

In addition, maintaining the present course is unsustainable. Due to the escalating costs of health insurance (that increases at least 10 percent per year), it is progressively more unaffordable, both to employers and individuals.

Like it or not, health care reform is a need we cannot delay, as the current system is geared toward insolvency and bankruptcy. Also, we cannot delay reform because each day thousands of Americans are struck down and abandoned by our current health care system. They deserve better from their country.

Dr. Robert F. Arrom is an OB/GYN and CEO of The Center for Women’s Health in Fairfield.

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