Universal Health Care NOW

Lets make these nightmares a thing of the past.

The State of Maryland just spent $250,000 on a toothache, and in the end, it still wasn't enough to save the life of 12 year-old Dearmonte Driver. Universal Health Care would have saved Dearmonte's life, and saved the State of Maryland over $200,000.

Universal Health Care would have guaranteed Dearmonte dental coverage from any dentist in the state. His toothache would have been taken care of, either for free or for a few dollars. Tooth extraction isn't a difficult process, and any dentist can perform the procedure. Instead, Dearmonte was on medicaid and his parents were unable to find a Medicaid dentist to see him.

What happened to Dearmonte and his family is unacceptable. Its time to stop ignoring the uninsured. If we continue to do so, we risk both moral and economic peril.

Update:Another opinion at the Old Line.

Hopkins Study: Lack of Health Insurance cost Marylanders $1.47 Billion in 2002

What the study says to me, is that it is time for universal health care in Maryland. Why? Because it would both save us money and protect our citizens.

For example, one plan to cover all Marylanders has been estimated to cost a little over $600 million. This is big money, but meager when compared to what we spend now to provide care to significant numbers of uninsured Marylanders through social programs.

This study should be a wake up call to the state legislature and Governor O'Malley. If O'Malley has the presidential aspirations we all ascribe to him, this would be a great test of his executive skills. Oh yeah, and it will also save us some big money.