Laura Lombard: Health care reform, new infrastructure would keep society healthy
In today’s America, millions of people are unemployed or sick; more than 150,000 are now dead. Our economy is in real trouble with the worst GDP recorded in history this past quarter. Our nation’s top leader is unable or unwilling to coordinate a cohesive national response to both the health and economic crisis. Instead, he promotes conspiracy theories and undermines public health experts. It is easy to feel like all is lost.
However, the current situation could be turned into an opportunity to launch the U.S. into a new economic prosperity era. The coronavirus has laid bare many of our economic vulnerabilities, but seeing these problems can help us solve them.
Having healthcare tied to employment is both a healthcare and economic disaster. Thousands of Americans have lost their health insurance upon losing their jobs during the worst health crisis in a century. Even with employment and insurance, the medical costs for a COVID patient would leave many families unable to pay. The U.S. already has extremely high medical bankruptcy rates under normal circumstances, but the number of bankruptcies likely to result is staggering. At the bare minimum, we must decouple health insurance from employment and create an affordable public option. Even better, we could learn from the positive experiences of other industrialized nations and create a universal healthcare system that will keep our citizens and our society healthy and financially afloat.
We can propel our country forward through investing in education from pre-K through college and technical training. Ensuring our students have access to high-quality public education, starting with pre-K, and affordable college and technical training options will pay dividends well into the future for both the individuals and our economy.
The Moving Forward Act is a highly forward-thinking infrastructure bill. If enacted, it would — among other things — rebuild our aging roads and bridges, invest in no or reduced carbon emission mass transit, expand broadband service to rural and low-income communities, and restore water systems across the country. These projects would create millions of jobs and provide the infrastructure needed to stay competitive in today’s global market.
Trump’s America First Plan relied heavily on creating trade wars. These tariffs cost an average American household $800 per year. It has cost our economy 300,000 U.S. jobs and .3% from our GDP last year. And it cost many of our farmers their livelihoods. These costs have not come with the equivalent reward promised. We need to ensure sound trade policies that protect American companies and open — not close — markets for our goods and services.
Lastly, America is at its best when we innovate. This requires investing in research and development, our people, and our companies. We should lead the world in clean energy, electric cars, 5G technology, medical devices, artificial intelligence, and other advanced manufacturing. Our production workers in Wichita know how to produce, so let’s get them to work in these forward-looking industries.
There is a path to a bright economic future if we choose to take it.
This story was originally published August 11, 2020 at 6:02 AM.