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Rural States Would Gain Most From Health Reform...

...but their vehement residents want it least

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 2, 2009 10:44 AM CDT
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(Newser) – With some of the highest percentages of uninsured citizens, rural states like Wyoming and Iowa stand to benefit the most from health care reform—but they’re also home to its most vocal detractors, the Los Angeles Times reports. Such states tend to have lower personal incomes, more small businesses that don't offer insurance to employees, fewer private insurance options, and stricter Medicaid cutoffs, so it’s no wonder their senators are aggressively brokering a reform compromise.

If town halls are any indication, their constituents aren't happy about it, but one advocate says health care isn’t really the issue: “They're angry with their economic situation,” he insists. "When we shift to health care, there's a lot less noise and a lot more questions." Still, it might be an uphill battle, as more centralized health care "runs counter to perhaps the rugged individualism on which America is built,” an observer says.

Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, answers a question from Sheryl Prather during a town meeting on health care reform Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009 in Adel, Iowa.
Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, answers a question from Sheryl Prather during a town meeting on health care reform Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009 in Adel, Iowa.   (AP Photo/Steve Pope)
Sen. Michael Enzi, R-Wyo, says any health care legislation must lower medical costs for Americans without increasing deficits and the national debt.
Sen. Michael Enzi, R-Wyo, says any health care legislation must lower medical costs for Americans without increasing deficits and the national debt.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson, File)
Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wy., holds up a copy of a health care bill as he answers questions during a health care town hall meeting in Kenner, La., Friday, Aug. 28, 2009.
Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wy., holds up a copy of a health care bill as he answers questions during a health care town hall meeting in Kenner, La., Friday, Aug. 28, 2009.   (AP Photo/Cheryl Gerber)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 22 comments
JonmarkP
Sep 3, 2009 5:55 AM CDT
@Barista It's important to differentiate between increasing health care costs and increasing insurance company profits. Look at this month's issue of Harper's magazine. Premiums have increased about 50% in the past three years; insurance company profits are up 480% in the past three years. Take the 30-40% that insurance companies extract (while contributing nothing to quality of care) and we'd save over $1 Trillion per year by changing to a Single-Payer, Government-insured plan. Not only can we pay for that, we'll have money left over.
Spudsy
Sep 3, 2009 2:27 AM CDT
This is just a symptom of people being stupid. Or at least not thinking. Or listening to Republicans without questioning their radio masters.
Jes
Sep 3, 2009 1:49 AM CDT
Case in point: Alaska. More federal funds than any other state.
Politics • Health • US

 
health care • Medicare • Medicaid • health care reform • uninsured • town hall meeting • rural America

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