US Health Care System Is 'Unique in Its Cruelty'

Blow this chance, and the status quo will be in place for years
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 19, 2010 8:35 AM CDT
US Health Care System Is 'Unique in Its Cruelty'
Nancy Pelosi speaks about health care reform.   (Getty Images)

The recent allegations that insurance giant Assurant Health beefed up profits by weeding out policy holders with HIV is a prime example of why we need comprehensive reform of health care coverage, writes Paul Krugman. Assurant is not the only insurer doing this, and for a simple reason: "It pays."

This is a truly American story, writes Krugman in the New York Times. "In every other advanced nation, insurance coverage is available to everyone regardless of medical history. Our system is unique in its cruelty." With employer-based insurance unraveling and more people getting coverage on their own, we can't afford to wait. The current bill isn't ideal, but it "is fiscally responsible, takes major steps toward dealing with rising health care costs, and would make us a better, fairer, more decent nation." If you want to know how Assurant schemed to cancel the policies of HIV positive Americans, click here.
(More health care reform stories.)

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