Spring Break
Documentary filmmaker shares outlook on United States health care
Jessica Cline
Issue date: 2/20/09 Section: News
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Having witnessed firsthand the vast differences in democratic country's health care systems, Reid focused his speech on the history of America's health care and how, over the years, different presidents have tried and failed to change it.
"All countries do health care differently, but they all have on thing in common -- they all cover everyone except us," Reid said.
Reid recapped how over time, select American presidents, from Woodrow Wilson to Bill Clinton, fell short in their efforts to improve American health care.
This, he said, was in part because their ideas were either deterred or were shot down by doctors and insurance companies --Â groups no one was willing to oppose.
"A crisis is a chance to make change," Reid said to more than 200 students, faculty and community members who attended his noon discussion of "The Politics of Health Care" in the Lory Student Center. "Americans have figured out we have to fix this."
Obama, he said, is off to a good start but Reid said he is worried that his efforts will be short-lived.
Reid voiced support of Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., whose ideas mandate that insurance cover everyone and those who cannot find affordable health care can buy Medicare.
Reid said that if Washington's politicians fall through in their efforts, reform is possible at the state level. He said that Colorado is a catalyst change.
"I really have to tip my hat to this part of the state for working at a change in the health care system," he said of particular health care initiatives.
He said Fort Collins leaders -- such as State Rep. John Kefalas, D-Fort Collins, and local doctor Janet Seeley -- are key examples of health care advocates.
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