Health care is a major issue in the '90s. It is a major concern of the people in the United States. Because it is of such great important, it will be a top political issue in 1992. One of the biggest problems of today's health care system is the rising costs. In a poll completed by the American Medical Association, it was found that 64 percent of those surveyed said that the soaring cost of medical care is the main problem facing the United States' health care system. As the insurance companies raise their "prices," they seem to forget that people simply cannot afford this increase. A survey conducted by the Northwestern Life Insurance Company found that 37 million Americans are not insured. If people cannot afford it no, especially during this unofficial recession, how do the insurance companies expect people to keep up with the rising costs. According to the computer-based Prodigy Service Company, many people have good solid insurance, but many do not. Either the insurance covers almost nothing but costs "an arm and a leg," or they have no insurance and can't get any. Prodigy Service again states that Americans spend more on health care--$2,051 per capita--than any other developed country. Canada is next with $1,483. Ironically, life expectancy in Canada is 79 years; in the United States, it is 75.6 years. National spending on health care is expected to reach $756.3 billion in 1991, $80 billion more than in 1990. Even though the government has given more money to the health care system, has it really helped? Perhaps we should ask the 37 million that are uninsured.

The government should assure health care for those without insurance. What does a poor family do when they have a sick child and they cannot afford health care or insurance? Families do not ask to be poor. In the American Medical Association poll, 68 percent say they think the poor can't get adequate medical care. Also most of the 1500 adults surveyed wanted the government to assure care for those who don't have health insurance. Also 58 percent think the federal government should take a greater role in the mostly private care system now in place to provide for the uninsured . The health care system is becoming a growing problem and something needs to change. President Bush asked Health Secretary, Louis Sullivan, to control costs and increase access. But according to Prodigy, Sullivan has said he opposes a national health care system and favors preserving the existing system's basically private nature.

Do the Americans want a national health care system? Most say no. In the American Medical Association poll, only 33 percent wanted a national health care system such as in Britain or Canada. In a poll done by Gallup, it was found that more than half of Americans say they are satisfied with the health care system.

In this election year the health care system will be a major national political issue. Democratic Presidential hopefuls--spurred by the victory of Senator Harris Wofford (D Pennsylvania) who won a special election after making nationwide health insurance a center-piece of his campaign--are concentrating on health.

Republicans are not far behind. Two days after Wofford's victory in November, Senate Republicans proposed to use tax incentives to extend medical coverage to millions of the uninsured. "No doubt about it, health care is at the top of the list when it comes to national priorities," Senator Dole (R Kansas) said. "Every American knows firsthand that health care costs have run amok." My English teacher, Mrs. Igert, knows firsthand about rising costs. Her daughter was diagnosed with cancer. She went to the hospital, as an out- patient, and stayed overnight. It cost them $4,867. Later on she went back to the hospital for a loner stay. The doctor bill, just for her initial evaluation, averaged out to be $132 per visit (each lasting approximately 15 minutes); that is $528 per hour and $8.81 per minute. Most people do not make what these doctors make in a minute. People are lucky if they make that in an hour. Just an overnight stay, as an out-patient, could cost some people their life savings. People cannot afford these costs. We need help.

The USA Weekend states: "Now that the White House and Congress agree that health care reform is necessary, a new system is likely to have been long in operation by 2002. Most observers believe 'pay or play' will rule the day: Employers provide minimum health insurance or pay into a government fund that provides it to all others, working or not." Will this change come too late? It will for many, but change later is better than no change at all.

Is there really going to be a change? Will this issue turn out like the "no new taxes" issue? How can the government sit by and watch family after family struggle to keep their jobs and keep food on the table, let alone keep or afford insurance? It is sad when a family has to sit back and watch a child of theirs get sick and they can do nothing to help because they cannot afford insurance or hospital bills. Is money more important than our nation's health? I hope that in the future people who are having a tough time will not have to worry about getting health care for their families. If we do not have a healthy country, we will no have a healthy economy or future.

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