The Gum Tree for 2007 September 12

Here is a quote from Romney recently: “I believe that one of the most significant healthcare challenges facing America today is that posed by chronic diseases, such as cancer, asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. Chronic diseases affect the lives of hundreds of millions of Americans, fuel significant increases in healthcare costs, and are responsible for seven out of every ten deaths in the United States every year. These problems are made worse by the fact that millions of Americans lack the quality health insurance coverage they need to adequately prevent or manage chronic diseases. “A few weeks ago, I unveiled my healthcare reform plan in a speech to the Florida Medical Association. It is a plan that is designed to give every American access to affordable, portable, quality health insurance, while reducing the runaway growth in healthcare costs. I believe that my plan addresses chronic disease and emphasizes the importance of properly preventing, treating, and managing such diseases. I also believe that my market-based, patient-centered reform plan will continue to promote the innovation and creativity that will one day bring an end to many chronic diseases." Bravo! I am heartened to see the problem addressed instead of using healthcare as a fulcrum to leverage political power.