Ohio's Health Care - Bill 13

September 15, 2005

Why must it be a given that democrats have to be the ones to instigate, plea on behalf of, push for, fight for, any legislation that will benefit the average citizen and the greater good, both economically and socially, beginning with the New Deal of 1935 and the WPA (Works Progress Administration) that brought jobs to the unemployed and the country up from the throes of the Great Depression?  Then came the Social Security Act that we are fighting to defend today.  In the interim has come Medicare and Medicaid.

We all konw that each and every one of these programs from their very inception has been fought tooth and nail by the republican party and are vigorously threatened to this very day.  Their same philosophy of government on the state level is so disasterously self-evident today and will continue unabated unless we convince our own base and most importantly swing voters we have a plan that will turn things around.

Let us use a specific example of Ohio's conservative legislators negative response to a very serious health issue, the debilitating disease, diabetes.  Democratic state Senator, Jeffry Armbruster and his co-sponsors are proposing Senate Bill 13 as a way to help diabetics afford the supplies they need to comply with doctor's orders.  For twelve years legislators have been trying to come up with a bill that would require state regulated insurance plans to cover the cost of diabetes treatment.  As you might guess insurance and business lobbies have consistantly blocked this legislation.

Most insurers already cover the cost of nutritional counseling and education.  The sticking point is for equipment, supplies and medication.  The question then needs to be asked, why is Ohio one of only four states that does not require comprehensive coverage of diabetes treatment?

Does it not seem like a good idea to call your state sentor (Senator Ron Amstutz at 614-466-75050 and ask that he support Senate Bill 13?

Buz Cormany
Medina, OH