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Financial crisis weighs heavy on healthcare system




(10/09/2008) By Jeniffer Berry - The U.S. healthcare crisis is now a part of the financial crisis. That is what Senator Chuck Hagel was saying Thursday along with former Senator Bob Kerrey. The two spoke at public forum in Lincoln addressing the nation's serious health and financial security challenges.

How do we build a healthcare system in America, that as much as one can, guarantees sustainable, affordable quality healthcare?

It is a question on the minds of politicians and people across Nebraska alike, but not one that is easy to answer.

"This financial crisis, and it is a crisis, is going to reorient everything. The ramifications of this are going to play out for a number of years, and healthcare is now a part of that. It always has been, but not to the extent that you are seeing now," said Hagel.

Last year Senator Hagel said the country spent $2 trillion on healthcare. Half of that came from the government.

"We are going to have to reinstitute our budgets because we are in the process of bankrupting our country now, and it will affect healthcare," Hagel said.

It is a fact that worries former Senator and Governor Bob Kerrey. Already, 42% percent of Americans are uninsured and many who have it cannot afford the premium. With a financial crisis that statistic is expected to go up.

"He is having to make a choice between his health and whether or not his kids go to college. I just think you have to separate them," said Kerrey.

But in this time of financial chaos, panic, downturn these two say; there is no one simple answer to this years $450 billion deficit and how to keep it from growing.

"We are in the process of having to reprioritize our most significant interests in this country, no more $12 billion dollars a month in Iraq... that ain't going to happen," said Hagel.

"We need to separate healthcare from all other federal funding," said Kerrey.

One idea is a universal healthcare system covering the basics for all Americans.

"90 percent of all jobs in Nebraska are created by the small business people. Entrepreneur, self employed individuals, there is an urgent need to make this change; you have to decouple," said Kerrey.

"I think that should be explored, because ultimately, the cost is higher; would it not be cheaper to find a way to cover everyone upfront," Hagel said.

It is just one more question these two Washington politicians said the next president will be faced with.

Both Hagel and Kerrrey said talks like this need to continue to truly reform healthcare in America. They also agree a group other than politicians should help with the process.

Attached Files: 1009kerreyhagel.jpg 


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