Healthcare access and delivery is a matter of national security. An NBC poll July 10-14 shows that 76% of Americans think the US will be involved in a “major war” in the next four years, with the majority at 61% believing North Korea represents our greatest threat. Proposed military strength will increase troops to just under 1/2 million while current wars on multiple fronts and protective bases and assets engage our highly skilled troops in a way that makes them too valuable for use as simple ground forces.
Profound social changes related to technological incursion-sedentary jobs, lifestyles and a drug culture (promoted by media pharma indoctrination) has contributed to significant public de-conditioning, obesity, diabetes, and cardio-vascular risk and disease.
Global warming with increased catastrophic events and vital worker wellness make healthcare security vital to our nation’s welfare. Employers control substantial aspects of each worker’s family life; employment, hours and pay. Provision of healthcare insurance as a benefit began as a means of circumventing FDR’s wage and price controls. Control over access and infringement of coverage benefits directly affecting liberties; reproductive, reconstructive and other aspects represents excessive employer controls over worker/family welfare.
A “percentile of income” for medical expenditure with a maximum cap at which subsidies automatically kick in provides economic security and could promote individual investment in wellness if cost savings for wise use are offered. Current Medicaid as exclusively focused on the “poor” provides a superior level of care to those who have been the least economically successful, while the disabled and aged under SSDI/Medicare incapable of paying excessive share of cost, but who by SSA calculated income have contributed relatively more, must choose between lifesaving care and necessities of life.
Mr. Trump, by offering to sign any bill submitted by Congress, is abdicating Presidential authority and his duty to the whole citizenry. He directly violates the Constitutional separation of powers. Senators Cotton and Boozman clearly exhibit a superseding loyalty to the Republican Party, and a similar disregard for their duty to the Arkansas electorate.
Laura L. Coker