From Deseret News archives:
Speakers flay state of health insurance
Warren Brodhead addressed a group of about 20 at the Salt Lake City Main Library. His comments were followed by statements by two local experts and then the testimonies of four Utah residents who told of their plight in fighting against private health insurance companies. All agreed that health insurance in the United States has worsened during the past three decades.
The speakers addressed a board of community leaders sponsored by Utah Jobs With Justice, a nonprofit organization "committed to a long-term campaign for workers' rights."
The board, composed Tuesday of four members, was charged with choosing a stance to adopt in terms of public health policy. Its members, Gina Gordin, Kyle Wulle, Archie Archuletta and Dee Rowland, can use the power of their community influence to put the board's decision in place, said Brodhead, who acted as moderator at Tuesday's meeting.
Board member Wayne Holland Jr. was absent from the meeting.
Wulle said that the board would probably support U.S. House Resolution 676, which has been dubbed the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act.
Single-payer insurance was one of three options for insurance reform Brodhead offered at the beginning of the meeting. The option would require governments or nonprofit groups to organize insurance for everyone.
Other options for reform included an incremental approach, such as expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program, and state-mandated private insurance care for all.
Tammi Diaz, who received a severe head injury during an automobile-pedestrian crash years ago, told the board and audience that she is stuck in her Medicaid program. Her husband can't make any more money, or she would be kicked off the program and unable to pay for care, she said. And if she makes any money selling the crafts she makes, she'd similarly be kicked off.
Diaz could be forced to divorce in order to remain eligible for needed care, she said.
"This nation was founded on families, and we should help one another," she said at the close of her short, labored testimony.
Following Diaz's testimony, Rowland said, "The impact of health insurance policies on the economy is just incredible."
Comments
- Getting serious about seat belts 1:15 a.m.
- Witness describes '99 killing 1:15 a.m.
- Police increase presence at Skyline 1:14 a.m.
- Cougars cruise past Southern 1:03 a.m.
- Utes fall to Seattle U. at home 1:01 a.m.
- Utah celebrates Real Salt Lake Day 12:59 a.m.
- Y. focused on 10-win season 12:54 a.m.
- Thunder rolls by Jazz 12:49 a.m.
- Sloan remembers Abe Pollin 12:47 a.m.
- 'Cats get past pesky D-II foe 12:33 a.m.
- Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- KSL: Prostitution in Utah County
- Best prep football games of 2009
- Man trapped in own body for 23 yrs
- Kirilenko climbing blocks list
- Witness describes '99 killing
- Boys basketball rankings
- 'Dancing' will fill out finale
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
229 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
224 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
189 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
137 - BYU records with win
133 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
122 - Hall, Johnson matchup key
102 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
99 - 4A: Timpview wins 4th in 4 years
93
needs to get a dunk!
First of all, the Thunder aren't known for being a great outside shooting...
And if BYU didn't lose any games, they could have been in the BCS. And if...
OKC = 16 Jazz = 24. Boozer and Millsap had 10 and Okur had 2. That is...
to To KF 9:35 PM My 42% increase may seem insignificant, but I have a...
Nice........
This is so weird. You see how stacked it is to include Nebraska,simply...
Mike, don't take it so personal. We know you are a Utah homer, but let's get...
I am a Seneca Indian from Western NY and find the meso America theory hard to...
If the chances are slim to none, why is this even news?? Trust the D.N. to...



You can be the first to comment on this story.