I'm the founder of a wellness company, a former health insurance executive, and I have a chronic illness. Needless to say, I sit up when the candidates start talking about health care reform. In Tuesday night's debate Tom Brokaw asked the candidates if health care is a right, a privilege, or a responsibility.
I bristle at the implication that there is only one answer to that question. For me, the answer is all of the above. Of course it is essential that each of us take personal responsibility for our health care. But if the last three years have taught me anything, they've taught me that you are never fully in control of your health. You can get hit by a car. You can inherit a condition. You can come down with a disease no one has ever heard of, that requires a lifetime of medications and treatments.
Meanwhile there is the problem of paying. Maybe you have health insurance. Maybe you got hit by a car between jobs. Maybe the only health insurance you could afford is totally inadequate.
Part of the contract of being a civilized nation is that we all have a stake in each other's health. I saw this in action when I saw so many bloggers come to Stephanie and Christian Nielsen's aid, raising funds to help with their devastating accident. I admit, while I was heartened by the response I also wishe every family struck by a major health calamity had this many people rushing in to help.
In a way, we can do that when we vote in November. We can vote for the candidate whose health care reform proposal aims to provide health care for everyone.
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