With the ongoing national discussion over health care reform many people raise questions, but do not go to the next level of sharing their concerns with fellow citizens and communicating with their elected officials, about their feelings. It is universally agreed that some form of health care coverage is necessary for all to avoid the use of emergency rooms to provide nonemergent care to those individuals without health insurance. There is more than enough money spent in the United States on health care to provide adequate coverage for all without increasing the amount of money spent. However, we have some tough choices to make regarding the type of care, how much money is spent at the beginning and end of life, and how do we partition those expenses. Under some plans being disused presently, access to specialty care and availably of specialty devices may have to be limited to rein in costs. This is an issue that will be debated over the coming year. Also, a patient needs to realize that to pay for access to care for those who have limited access, there may well be a tax on health care benefits, which would amount to a significant tax hike on the middle class. It is important that all Americans educate themselves about the various issues related to health care coverage, particularly those in need of specialty care, to make your voices heard.
