Obama Win and Implications on Healthcare

Yesterday was an historic day, a decisive day. The significance of Senator Obama's win in the presidential race can not be overstated. Whether it is political, cultural, generational, or by any number of other categories, a page has been turned in the book that is America. A book that is stained by the red ink of misleading policies and politics, mismanagement of the country's future and finances, and shortsighted pitfalls of a misguided ideology, an ideology that professed the highest ideals of responsibility and accountability but practiced neither. It is hoped that going forward we will see less writings in bleeding red and more in the cooler colors of black and blue. America must stay in the black when it comes to our economic policies, our foreign policy, and even our healthcare policies. It is certainly worth wondering how an Obama win will help American families, business and government see less red when it comes to issues of healthcare.

What is certain is that under an Obama administration the government will play a significant role in setting the ground rules for healthcare. To address the rising cost of healthcare, where three out of every four dollars is spent on chronic diseases, these rules must address the problem of chronic but preventable diseases. While I have heard Senator Obama mention prevention in the last presidential debate and also as part of his stump speech, we will have to see whether his rhetoric is implemented in the coming months.

President-elect Obama spoke often about how his mother suffered from cancer and ultimately succumbed to the disease. Prevention of cancer, which is linked to both obesity and smoking, should be something that Senator Obama would relate to immediately. He probably understands that preventing cancer and other diseases helps prevent American families from going through the same terrible experiences that he has had to go through with his mother. It appears that he understands that the ground rules that existed while his mother suffered from cancer is unacceptable and needs to be changed. That change must include addressing chronic but preventable diseases so that people never reach the point where they have to argue or litigate with their insurance companies for coverage of expensive treatments or procedures.

While I feel that President-elect Obama understands these issues from a very personal experience, what worries me is that those who profess fiscal responsibility will argue against the investments required to make this possible. It is important to understand that not addressing the issue now will probably result in the next economic crisis for America. The result of chronic diseases is costing American businesses and families over a trillion dollars a year. That is lost wages, productivity, and time. The cost of prevention is pennies compared to the cost that accumulates from inaction for our society over time. Therefore, I would seriously question those who may oppose prevention and addressing chronic disease as part of any health reform. I would question their commitment to bringing responsibility and accountability to the government and whether their opposition is in reality political football at the expense of making Americans healthier and reducing the fiscal burden on taxpayers in the long run.

Healthcare is the number one personal issue in America. This according to a new survey released just a few weeks ago. It is especially important to women who often have to make healthcare decisions for those in their family and loved ones. It is extremely necessary that we let our newly elected or reelected officials know that addressing healthcare and especially prevention and chronic diseases should be their highest priority going forward.

To reach your representative or senator and to let them know your concerns about prevention and chronic disease, please visit the USA.gov website.