Eastern Shore Focus - Show # 80: The Healthcare Reform Debate (Pt.1)

By WESM News / Stephen Williams

PRINCESS ANNE, MD –

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Show Information:

Show Number: 80
Guests:
- Mike Pretl, Maryland Healthcare for All!
- Dr. Charles Stegman, Physicians for a National Health Program
Subject: The Healthcare Reform Debate (Part 1)
Original Airdate: Monday, August 3, 2009
Running Time: 29 minutes

Brief Synopsis:

The national debate over whether and how to reform the health care system in the United States has been going on for decades. A number of presidential administrations, both Democrat and Republican, have sought to impose some type of reform - to little or no avail.

And it's big problem to tackle. The mixed public-private health care system that currently exists in the U.S. is in fact the most expensive in the world - with health care costing more per person than in any other nation.

In fact, with an over $2 trillion spent on health care in this country, a greater portion of gross domestic product is spent on health care in America than just about any other country on Earth.

Indeed, the United States is a world leader when it comes to advanced medical breakthroughs that prolong life expectancies and cure illness that - even a generation ago would have been terminal.

But these breakthroughs have come at a cost. Insurance for many millions of lower and middle-class Americans has become prohibitively expensive, as the cost of health care itself continues to skyrocket.

And proposed solutions vary widely. Some in Washington, and in state capitals across the country, favor a publicly-administered universal health care system - insuring that the estimated 45 million Americans who are currently un-insured would be guaranteed a minimum of health care coverage.

Others argue that a government-run single-payer health care system would be disastrous for small businesses - who fear they would bear the brunt of subsidizing its cost. Not to mention the private insurance companies, who worry that such a universal system might put them out of business altogether.

But is the goal of true, comprehensive health care reform even attainable? The Obama administration certainly hopes so, and as this program was taped on July 21, 2009 - much negotiation and debate was taking place in Washington as leaders across the political spectrum try to find a solution that everyone can accept.

And of course, while the situation in Washington may have changed by the time you hear this program, the underlying issues in the healthcare reform debate will most likely be with us for some time to come.

In this edition of this program, we'll speak with two gentlemen who've graciously agreed to come down to our studio to discuss this hot-button issue. Mike Pretl lives on the Eastern Shore, and represents the Baltimore-based group called "Maryland Health Care for All!" - a statewide coalition comprised of unions, businesses, church groups, and other non-profit organizations in Maryland.

They're advocating for affordable healthcare through the creation of an independent, quasi-governmental health insurance pool that would be accountable to its enrollees, providers and the general public.

Also joining in this discussion is Dr. Charles Stegman a physician based here in Princess Anne, Maryland - who is a member of the group called "Physicians for a National Health Program" - which also seeks comprehensive health care reform, but instead advocates for a universal, single-payer national health program.

Additional Links & Information:

Eastern Shore Focus - Show # 81: The Healthcare Reform Debate (Part 2):
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wesm/news.newsmain/article/797/0/1540991/

Eastern Shore Focus - Show # 84: The Healthcare Reform Debate (Part 3):
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wesm/news.newsmain/article/797/0/1562465

Eastern Shore Focus - Show # 85: The Healthcare Reform Debate (Part 4):
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wesm/news.newsmain/article/797/0/1565128/

Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative Education Fund
Health Care for All! Coalition
2600 St Paul St.
Baltimore, MD 21218
Toll-free Phone: 1-866-433-8451
Baltimore: 410-235-9000
Fax: 410-235-8963
Website: http://www.healthcareforall.com/

Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP)
National Website: http://www.pnhp.org/
Maryland Chapter: http://md.pnhp.org/

Health care reform in the United States [Wikipedia]:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_reform_in_the_United_States

HealthReform.gov [Government Site]:
http://www.healthreform.gov/

The White House - Health Care Reform:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/health_care/

Questions or Comments?

E-mail us: wesm913@umes.edu
Or call 410-651-8001