5 Concepts Essential to Understanding the Democrat’s Healthcare Platform
[fancy_heading h1=”1″ icon=”icon-lamp” style=”line” title=”5 Concepts Essential to Understanding the Democrat’s Healthcare Platform”]The 2016 Democratic Party Platform reflects deeply held principles that inform the party’s understanding of our nation’s problems as well as the solutions to those problems. Here are 5 concepts related to health care that are key to understanding Democratic solutions.
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[fancy_heading h1=”0″ icon=”icon-lamp” style=”arrows” title=”1. Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to be healthy.”]Translation: Health care should be universal. All Americans deserve to have equal access to comprehensive services including primary care, mental health services and dental care. Government programs play a critical role in assuring that access is fair. [/fancy_heading]
[fancy_heading h1=”0″ icon=”icon-lamp” style=”arrows” title=”2. Where you live should not predict your health. “]Translation: No matter one’s personal characteristics (race, ethnicity, income, housing, employment, or gender) every American deserves the opportunity to live a “full, healthy life.” An individual’s circumstances do impact the ability to access health care. Public policies that promote health equity are essential to the American dream. [/fancy_heading]
[fancy_heading h1=”0″ icon=”icon-lamp” style=”arrows” title=”3. Our public health infrastructure needs to be strengthened.”]Translation: Defunding, privatizing or voucherizing public healthcare programs like Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP is out of the question because millions of Americans depend on them. [/fancy_heading]
[fancy_heading h1=”0″ icon=”icon-lamp” style=”arrows” title=”4. The Affordable Care Act must be defended.”]Translation: Health insurance is key to getting health care. Public programs insure the poor, the elderly and the veterans. Private insurance, through work or insurance exchanges, covers healthy, employed people. The ACA expanded health insurance and so it should be defended against those who would repeal it.
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[fancy_heading h1=”0″ icon=”icon-lamp” style=”arrows” title=”5. The free market is good, but must be regulated to protect people. “]Translation: Corporations are more powerful than individuals, and so the government has a responsibility to regulate them for the good of us all. We must stop the price gouging by Big Pharma, allow Americans to purchase prescriptions from overseas and empower Medicare to negotiate prices with drug companies. [/fancy_heading]
[fancy_heading h1=”0″ icon=”icon-lamp” style=”arrows” title=”What do you think?”]Many Americans have contradictory views on the role of government and the individual in society and these views reflect differing values. If you believe that above all, when it comes to health care the needs of people should come first, then you should joinHEAL California! And check out these terrific links – you’ll be glad you did.
