Health Care Reform

By Cynthia L. Murray

Cynthia is committed to enacting universal health care.

After much research, I have come to the conclusion that we must move to a new healthcare system where everyone is covered. I support Universal Healthcare as the solution. We need to create a system which is publicly funded and privately provided. Universal healthcare will allow the 6 million plus people who are uninsured and the millions more who are underinsured to get medical care. Universal healthcare will reduce costs and provide a higher quality of care. For example, the uninsured wait until their medical condition is extreme before seeking care. The care they seek is usually in the most expensive place, the emergency room. By having the ability to be treated before the condition becomes major, by being seen in a doctor's office and not the emergency room, costs are reduced and quality of life increased.

Since Universal Healthcare is not going to happen tomorrow, we need to find ways to reduce costs and improve health. I support increased wellness and prevention programs, including using incentives to encourage people to stop risky behaviors and to take better care of themselves. I support streamlining processing of claims, electronic data entry, and other ideas that will help reduce the cost escalation.

Marin and Sonoma counties have another kind of healthcare crisis - the lack of medical professionals who are willing to provide healthcare in our counties. There is a serious shortage of doctors, nurses, technicians, and other providers due to the high costs of living in our region. With many current providers about to retire, the lack of medical professionals is alarming. The insurance reimbursement rates are also driving many quality doctors away. We must work with the medical community to recruit and retain these professionals on who we rely or health care will suffer a serious blow.