Rep. Mike Beard, Absent on Health Care
Reliable leadership is what we look for from our elected officials. Their actions affect us now and for the future. But what happens when our own representative votes and writes as if he’s not listening to constituent concerns? We should hold him accountable.
In Mike Beard’s Words: The comments below are the views of our Representative in 35A:
No one is denied health care in this state or in this country; We have the best health care system in the world; Rising costs and spending does not automatically mean a crisis is upon us; The huge amount of health care spending may come from Baby Boomers who spend enormous amounts of money on quality of life items like knees and hip replacements; Market competition increases availability and reduces prices. Ponder this: What if we thought of health care not as a right or as a privilege, but as a Personal responsibility.
For more information, please see this image of Mike Beard’s views page on his website, August 20, 2008:
Where is the data that shows we have the best health care system in the world? When we Googled, we found that Italy, Spain, Oman, Australia and Japan have the best health care system (WHO survey.)
Doesn’t Rep. Beard know that other countries devote less of their GDP to health care than the U.S. yet cover 100% of their citizens with universal health care?
We ask MIke Beard: Will calling health care a “Personal Responsibility” really help 47 million Americans or 500,000 Minnesotans gain access to affordable health care insurance or make a dent in the upward spiraling of costs?
No less than the Republican nominee for President says “The problems with health care are well known: It is too expensive and 47 million people living in the United States lack health insurance. Health care should be available to all and not limited by where you work or how much you make”.
Almost every household in our area is dealing with health care cost. This cost affects Democrats and Republicans and Independents and those who don’t vote at all. It is a problem for businesses, employees and unions alike. It is a problem for schools and colleges and those who pay tuition. Let’s face it: Costs are mounting, and this is a problem for nearly everyone.
Solutions will be found. Other states are taking action, and so is Minnesota. But Representative Beard just seems to dismiss it all. Why doesn’t he show interest? Where is the leadership?
Medical News Today
NCHC
Vital One Health
Anoka County Costs
Alan Katz
Some facts to ponder:
In 2007, the average premium for a family of four was $12,100 representing 24% of a the pre-tax income for a family of four with a $50,000 income.
Administrative costs run between 20 and 25% of the total premium. That means $2,400 to $3,000 is being paid just to administer the policy.
The admin costs may be more than that family pays in property taxes. In 2008, premium increases have been reported to run between 10 and 22%.
More than a million Minnesotans now spend more than 10% of their pre-tax income on health care costs.
Medical debt is the leading cause of personal bankruptcy.
45.7 million Americans lack coverage as do more than 500,000 Minnesotans.
Rising insurance costs challenge every level of government from school boards to counties to colleges and universities and to the state level as well. That means the taxpayer is footing the bill and its costing more every year.
Businesses have been dropping coverage. Uncovered Minnesotans are up 5%.
Healthcare premiums are cutting into wage increases and corporate profits.
Here are more statistics about the mounting problem:
Policy premiums have almost doubled since 2000. Now what we would be doing if insurance premiums were a tax? Both political parties would be screaming for relief! So would every voter. Why the silence now?
At the current rate, premiums will double again in several years far out-pacing personal income growth. Will Rep. Beard recognize a problem when a family must pay 15 or 20 or 25 thousand for coverage? Or will he dismiss the pain by saying that it is just a matter of ‘personal responsibility.
We are disappointed with what we read from Rep. Beard. We don’t find a coherent discussion nor do we see a clear direction. Most see a growing problem. But not Mike. He doesn’t seem very interested in the issue despite the fact that every tax payer is footing greater costs let alone the challenges that face businesses and families. The problem is not going to go away. It will only grow. Sooner or later someone will have to make a stand.
We examined at Rep. Beard’s views as seen above, and we had to ask the same question as old that Aunt Clara asked: “Where’s the beef?”
When it comes to the big topic of health care, our Rep. Mike Beard just fails to make it a priority.
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