Bloomington doctor discusses Obama’s pending health care plan

When faced with the progress of President Barack Obama’s health care reform bill Thursday at the Poynter Center for the Study of Ethics and American Institutions, Dr. Rob Stone said in his lecture that he was flummoxed and would rather be discussing Internet poker, a topic he found more interesting.

“Before Christmas I really thought the Senate and House would come together and come to some resolution,” Stone said. “I have no idea what is going to happen. The plan we have is not as useful and complete as we need.”

Under the pending Obama heath care plan, the administration hopes to enact such policies as protecting families from bankruptcy or debt due to health care bills, ending denial of coverage for people with pre-existing conditions and maintaining coverage when people lose or change jobs.

Medical bills are still the leading cause of bankruptcy, according to a study released by the American Health Journal.

Stone who is also assistant clinical professor of emergency medicine in the IU School of Medicine, said Americans are finding more ways to provide health care.

“Insurance is about pooling our risk,” he said. “You never know what’s going to happen to you, your friend or your daughter.”

Stone also addressed the effect the economy is having on benefits that accompany entry-level jobs, an issue that is facing many college graduates.

Typically, students are covered by their parents’ health insurance through their early 20s, but coverage can run out when students reach graduation. Stone said people ages 20 to 30 are the highest percent of the uninsured.

“It’s an issue for young people, and I feel bad because there are fewer jobs that offer health insurance,” said Kay Mueller, member of Hoosiers for a Commonsense Health Care Plan.

“Other countries think it’s outrageous to go without health care, and here we tolerate it.”

Stone said the number of uninsured Americans in 2010 will approach 50 million with research predicting more than 45,000 of those will die preventable deaths due to lack of care.

“It is an indictment on this society that so many people are in need and so many are unwilling to act,” said Bloomington resident Elspeth Thibos, a self-proclaimed concerned citizen. “We can’t take care of those in need.”

When it comes to the future of health care in America, Stone said he is uncertain.

However, he said he knows  he does not want to practice where a child’s cast could put her mother into bankruptcy and that Americans should not have to be afraid of health care costs.