ging to universal health care, and we will also look at Hawaii’s effective plan for universal health care in that state. (TRANSITION) First I want to discuss the problems of our current health care system. BODYI. The current problems with America’s health care system.A.The high cost of medical services in America.1. “Nearly half of the more than 1 million Americans who filed for bankruptcy protection last year did so at least in part because they could not cope with medical bills or other financial consequences of illness or injury.” Norton’s Bankruptcy Adviser. Found on Universal Health care Action Network.2. Managed care and HMO Health providers are often hated by consumers because they second-guessed doctors' decisions and required pre-approval for specialist visits and routine procedures in order to cut medical costs. a. Top HMO executive’s salary averaged 2 million dollars in 1997. B.People with health insurance often receive, and have access to better medical treatment then uninsured.1. Families USA reports uninsured Americans with chronic conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, and arthritis receive half the number of lab tests of persons with health insurance, and are more likely to go without medicines essential to maintaining health. C.The poor are most likely to be uninsured.1. The working poor are above the financial cut for Medicaid but cannot afford, or do not have access to health coverage. The uninsured working poor often find themselves farther behind due to medical bills 2. What is health care like for the homeless? Imagine having a breast removed and being told to change the bandages in a shelter. Imagine walking around with AIDS looking for a shelter that will allow for all day bed rest. Imagine being turned away from a stay in the hospital with only a one-day prescription because your condition was not serious enough for admittance and then being t...
