The debate about the health insurance and reform is warming up. Spanish newspaper from Las Vegas Prensa Latina Las Vegas quotes the words of Harry Reid, the senate majority leader saying that if we leave the way the current health insurance system is, they will put their profits over our health.
Here are some excerpts from Reid's speech of July 9 on health insurance reform and on how to make health insurance affordable for Americans.
"Last month I told the story of a young Nevadan girl call Alysia who was born with a kidney disease. Like millions of Americans Alysia lost her job. As all those who have lost work may know, when you lose your job, health insurance also vanishes.
"Alysia did what any of us would have done in the same situation: tried to seek independent health insurance to qualify for a surgery she needed urgently to improve her health. The doctors told him that surgery was urgent, but the health insurance companies told her that it was impossible to cover her surgery cost.
"They refuse to give coverage. They say that his kidney disease is a 'pre-existing' one. The rest is classified as a tragedy.
"These stories are sad but unfortunately common. They are extraordinary, but not unique. This situation happens on both coasts of the country, both in large cities as in small towns. For every 10 Americans who seek health insurance, nine did not get it because insurers deny or offer them something too expensive.
"Most of us do not have the misfortune of Alysia. But unless one is absolutely health, without a history of something, or the risk of heart disease or something else, there is no hope of obtaining health insurance.
"More than half of our compatriots are living with at least one chronic condition, and these conditions are responsible for more than 70 percent of deaths in United States. However, insurance companies are more focused on maintaining healthy profits that benefit the people.
"These companies have taken our country hostage, and many of us can not afford the ransom.
"This is a complex issue, but the vision of the Democrats is very simple: we will give people control over their own health. And we will not allow these companies to use the pretext of 'pre-existing conditions' to deny coverage that people need.
"Reducing the cost of health care we will give them all access to quality health care. And we will ensure that people have the option to choose their own doctor, the hospital and the health plan that best suits them.
"If we leave things this way, insurance companies will put their profits over our health. And things will continue as our Republican colleagues continue to defend the status quo.
"A few weeks ago, the Republican leader in the House of Representatives said: 'I think it is clear that in this country have the best health system in the world.'
"How defend a system that makes no effort to care for people's health?
"We are talking about the same health system that does not allow Alysia a kidney surgery needed to live a healthy life. I think she would respectfully disagree with the Republican leader.
"The state of our health system is unsustainable.
"If you are fortunate to have good insurance, you can keep it. But if you do not agree with Alysia that her company may deny benefits or coverage at will, I imagine you'll agree that we must change the current situation."
Source: Senator Harry Reid
Translated from Prensa Latina Las Vegas
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