HEALTH CARE: Issue shouldn't be partisan

When my parents were children during the Depression, Franklin Roosevelt’s ground-breaking legislation brought Social Security, the FDIC, banking relief and regulation, the 40-hour work week, unemployment compensation, collective bargaining, etc., to the American people. These enormous improvements (which many take for granted today) were vigorously opposed by the Republican Party and big business interests.

BAMBI LIN LITCHMAN; Tacoma

Published: 03/20/10 12:05 am

0 comments

When my parents were children during the Depression, Franklin Roosevelt’s ground-breaking legislation brought Social Security, the FDIC, banking relief and regulation, the 40-hour work week, unemployment compensation, collective bargaining, etc., to the American people. These enormous improvements (which many take for granted today) were vigorously opposed by the Republican Party and big business interests.

These important laws made our country immensely stronger.

Health care reform need not be a partisan issue. It was a grave concern of presidents Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, John Kennedy, Bill Clinton and now Barack Obama.

Health care reform is a moral imperative and financial necessity. If nothing is done, the spiraling costs of health care will bankrupt the country while 45,000 people will continue to die annually due to lack of access to affordable care. Too many will continue to go bankrupt from medical expenses despite the fact that they actually have health insurance.

Abraham Maslow, an important 20th-century psychologist, noted that human beings cannot evolve and contribute optimally until their basic needs have been met. Health care is a basic need.

What kind of society do we wish to cultivate? The nation is again at a historic crossroads. The time for reform is now.

Similar stories:

Reproductive choices should be in woman’s hands – not the government’s

Reproductive choices should be in woman’s hands – not the government’s

As our state proceeds with implementation of health care reform under the Affordable Care Act, it’s crucial that policymakers protect women’s access to comprehensive health care services.
Bill would require hospitals to perform assessments

Bill would require hospitals to perform assessments

One Washington lawmaker is hoping that requiring hospitals to assess community health every three years will result in them better meeting community health needs.

Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, introduced a bill that would require public hospital districts such as the Kennewick Public Hospital District and nonprofit hospitals such as Lourdes Medical Center and Kadlec Regional Medical Center, to perform a community health needs assessment once every three years.

Hospitals also would have to draft a plan for how to serve the community within a year after completing each assessment.
Bill would require hospitals to perform assessments

Bill would require hospitals to perform assessments

One Washington lawmaker is hoping that requiring hospitals to assess community health every three years will result in them better meeting community health needs.

Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, introduced a bill that would require public hospital districts such as the Kennewick Public Hospital District and nonprofit hospitals such as Lourdes Medical Center and Kadlec Regional Medical Center, to perform a community health needs assessment once every three years.

Hospitals also would have to draft a plan for how to serve the community within a year after completing each assessment.
Obama’s campaign to work up some class resentment

Obama’s campaign to work up some class resentment

WASHINGTON – In the first month of his presidency, Barack Obama averred that if in three years he hadn’t alleviated the nation’s economic pain, he’d be a “one-term proposition.”
Prosser hospital announces layoffs

Prosser hospital announces layoffs

PROSSER -- PMH Medical Center in Prosser announced an undisclosed number of layoffs Thursday in anticipation of state and federal budget cuts, officials said.

Hospital spokesman Fred Lamb said the hospital expects a $2.3 million reduction in state and federal funding. It is taking pre-emptive measures to cut its budget before Congress and the Legislature adopt their budgets.

The hospital's board has not yet adopted a 2012 budget, Lamb said.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here

We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.

SPORTS