Having attended the public health care forum on Jan. 12 at the Statehouse, I couldn’t disagree more with Hannah Vallerand’s complaints concerning single-payer whiners. I did not testify at the hearing, but feel compelled to do so now.
First of all, a significant number of persons who testified were professionals in the health care field, and with one possible exception, all were solidly in favor of strong health care reform. Secondly, the so-called "whiners" were largely people who were in dire straits due to extremely unfortunate life circumstances.
My perception was that people who opposed health-care reform fell into one or more of three categories; healthy young people with a natural feeling of immortality, people convinced by the millionaires’ club of politicians and corporate media elitists into believing democracy means survival of the fittest, and those just plain bitter.
To me, it’s all about empathy. If you are unaffected by the devastation in Haiti, are not saddened by the sudden snuffing out of a young life due to illness, or are apt to blame the victim for a sudden illness or the loss of job or home, you probably don’t understand. It is about economics and logic. Health care is a public good, as are police and fire services. I wonder how many people would entrust these services to a cuddly CEO?
My suggestions are these: For those against health-care reform who already have public healthcare policies they dislike, give them up. For the others, give the same opportunity to our children and grandchildren. Also, let the majority of us opt for a single-payer system. We will allow the magic of the market to work for you in health care, as well as in police and fire services. Most of all, if and when misfortunate hits, do not under any circumstances complain or whine.
Mitch Goldfarb
Montpelier