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As reported in the Bangor Daily News by Billy Kobin, 11-year-old Connor Sawtelle of Hallowell suffers from a severe spinal malformation requiring expensive surgery. MaineCare will not pay for it because the care he needs can only be obtained out of state where the hospital is not enrolled as a MaineCare provider.
The family’s predicament is a direct consequence of our fragmented and inefficient health care system. With publicly funded health insurance that covers everyone in a single risk pool, problems like Connor’s would never arise.
Economists have shown, with both anecdotes and data, that public health insurance is far more efficient and less costly than private health insurance. This has been known for decades. Yet we have failed to do what would clearly save us money and provide us all with greater financial security.
The barriers are not financial or technical. All we must do is take what we already know how to do from our original Medicare program and apply it to everyone. The barriers are purely political.
Congress is not moving on health care because it is largely dysfunctional, and we must turn to state-based plans. There is encouraging progress toward a plan in our own state. A leading advocate is Maine AllCare. Readers wishing to know more or to become involved should visit the Maine AllCare website and sign up to receive their newsletter.
Finally, we must increase the pressure on Congress and our own Legislature to pursue and pass publicly funded universal health care. Patients like Sawtelle are desperate for help.
Michael P. Bacon
Westbrook