Proposition 101
“Crisis” seems to be the word to describe the current health care system. Politicians are divided on a good solution and insurance companies are taking advantage of consumers. In Arizona, proposition 101 wants to reform the way consumers purchase health care insurance. Proposition 101 supporters want the freedom to choose their own healthcare provider. Others disagree, saying that this proposition is not clear and could create more problems down the road. Whatever the case is, what the people need is a health care system that meets their needs, equal access with quality care.
According to Lori Klein, Proposition 101, Freedom of Choice in Health care Act, will give all Arizona residents the right to choose their healthcare plans. She says in her proposition article that the “initiative will guarantee the right of Arizonans to make their own health care choices”. Many big insurance companies in Arizona are in control of what consumers should choose or not to choose when it comes to health care. They have increased healthcare prices while limiting patient options. If proposition 101 is passed, consumers will have the right to choose private health care plans of their choice or pay directly for medical services. The government and insurance companies will not have the power to dictate people’s choices any longer.
Proposition 101 supporters say that by voting yes to this bill, their health care rights will be protected. These people do not want the government to be involved in the health care system. Consumers have the freedom to choose their health care plan with many options. The proposition claims that consumers can get quality care when they choose their own doctor. If this bill is passed, the government will have less control over the health care decisions in Arizona. The Republican Party has the same beliefs that universal health care is a bad idea. Their argument is that a government mandated health care system will decrease innovation and limit accessibility. Former New York Mayor, Rudy Giuliani said “we can improve value, increase the pace of innovation and decrease costs” in his health care proposal when he was running for the presidency. Most politicians, who are against free health care for all, claim that European countries with universal health care are struggling to maintain a high standard of satisfaction for their patients. According to Merrill Mathews, a writer, “England’s National Health Service is known for its long waiting lines, angry patients, rationed and often sub-quality care.” Proposition 101 supporters said America does not need universal health care; it needs quality care. Proposition 101 will allow Arizona residents to choose their plans and their doctors.
Those who are against proposition 101 believe that this proposition is weak and it creates holes that might need to be filled in the future. This bill prevents the state from making sure that all the people have access to quality health care, they also see this bill as a way of preventing universal health care if the next president decides to take that road. People who are against this bill want health care system backed by the government. They want every person to have insurance regardless of age, religion, nationality. According to the Census Bureau, 47 million Americans are uninsured. Those who are uninsured are mostly the middle class who can not afford the high prices that insurance companies have. And after they get sick, they are forced to pay more because they do not have the insurance discounts that are offered by insurance companies. In 2005, the costs of uninsured people rose to 250 billion dollars without the premiums according to McKinsey& company. This causes more people to file for bankruptcy and go into debt. In a survey conducted by Demos and the Center for Responsible Lending, more than half of the people surveyed stated that they have used credit cards to pay medical expenses. The Commonwealth Fund reported that the United States ranked sixth among six industrialized nations for measures of safe and coordinated care, at the same time the U.S. has spent the most money. Universal health care will help people seek the right treatment that they would otherwise put off due to high costs. People who will vote NO on Proposition 101 are more concerned with everybody getting the treatment they need. They trust the government to do a better job than insurance companies that are out to make a profit.
Those who are against proposition 101 believe that this proposition is weak and it creates holes that might need to be filled in the future. This bill prevents the state from making sure that all the people have access to quality health care, they also see this bill as a way of preventing universal health care if the next president decides to take that road. People who are against this bill want health care system backed by the government. They want every person to have insurance regardless of age, religion, nationality. According to the Census Bureau, 47 million Americans are uninsured. Those who are uninsured are mostly the middle class who can not afford the high prices that insurance companies have. And after they get sick, they are forced to pay more because they do not have the insurance discounts that are offered by insurance companies. In 2005, the costs of uninsured people rose to 250 billion dollars without the premiums according to McKinsey& company. This causes more people to file for bankruptcy and go into debt. In a survey conducted by Demos and the Center for Responsible Lending, more than half of the people surveyed stated that they have used credit cards to pay medical expenses. The Commonwealth Fund reported that the United States ranked sixth among six industrialized nations for measures of safe and coordinated care, at the same time the U.S. has spent the most money. Universal health care will help people seek the right treatment that they would otherwise put off due to high costs. People who will vote NO on Proposition 101 are more concerned with everybody getting the treatment they need. They trust the government to do a better job than insurance companies that are out to make a profit.
Proposition 101 may block universal health care by restricting some of the requirements Barack Obama’s health care plan has set. One of Barack’s many goals is to have all children to receive affordable insurance which would expand SCHIP and Medicaid. Obama’s plan includes penalizing parents whose children are not insured. So, if prop 101 is passed, Arizona residents will not be penalized for not insuring their children.
As an Arizona resident I am against this proposition. I believe that all human beings deserve basic health care services no matter what. I think that universal health care is the best solution for everyone because everybody gets equal treatment. Proposition 101 will most likely destroy Medicare and Medicaid for the elderly and low income families who are unable to buy insurance. "Our concern is that Proposition 101, with all its ambiguities, might be interpreted by a future court in a way that would destroy Arizona Healthcare Cost and Containment System and leave the public with astronomical and unreasonable costs in the provision of healthcare for the poor,” wrote Director Anthony Rodgers. It is not fair for insurance companies to control and profit from patients. I believe that if the government does not regulate the health care system, insurance companies will take advantage of people and increase prices.
As an Arizona resident I am against this proposition. I believe that all human beings deserve basic health care services no matter what. I think that universal health care is the best solution for everyone because everybody gets equal treatment. Proposition 101 will most likely destroy Medicare and Medicaid for the elderly and low income families who are unable to buy insurance. "Our concern is that Proposition 101, with all its ambiguities, might be interpreted by a future court in a way that would destroy Arizona Healthcare Cost and Containment System and leave the public with astronomical and unreasonable costs in the provision of healthcare for the poor,” wrote Director Anthony Rodgers. It is not fair for insurance companies to control and profit from patients. I believe that if the government does not regulate the health care system, insurance companies will take advantage of people and increase prices.
All in all, proposition 101 is not what it seems. It is written with empty words that can be translated in many ways. It will not benefit the middle class and the low income families because the proposition’s goal is about having more choices not affordable healthcare. This proposition was intended to block some requirements for future healthcare mandates. Having the freedom to choose your health care plan will not guarantee accessible quality care for all. There is no need to pass proposition 101.
