The resolution comes in the wake of recent news that over 46 million Americans lack health insurance, and studies that show that the United States ranks second to last in life expectancy out of the 23 top industrialized countries. The U.S. spends over twice per person (US $5,000 yr. 2001) as Japan and Sweden do, but has a life expectancy 5 and 3.5 years shorter. Despite claims of cost control, premiums charged by HMOs and managed care increase by double digits each year. Locally, health insurance premiums have increased 15%, on average, for 44 of Barron County's largest employers in the past year. One employer of 8 people recently had its insurance premium increased 34.1%. Such increases have made the costs of extending health insurance benefits and hiring new employees prohibitive. Many employers face either canceling health insurance benefits, or operating their businesses at a loss.

In addition to its negative economic and public health impact, the corporate-driven health care system forces too many Americans to live with fear of poor health and financial ruin, says Fred Bannister of Chetek, a retired physician with 40 years' experience in family practice. Speaking in a presentation at the Barron County Democratic Party's February meeting, Dr. Bannister laid out specific steps to providing affordable insurance for everyone, according to his new plan, soon to be published as a book, Health Security America: fixing the health care crisis.

The book is a clear-eyed look at what needs to be done to restore balance to the health care system, taking control of insurance from bureaucrats and profit-minded boardrooms and giving it back to governing bodies comprised of ordinary people. It also lays out eight steps to cutting administrative waste in medicine and restoring competition among providers. Bannister hopes that the plan's efficiency and fairness will have broad bipartisan appeal when the time comes to draft health care legislation.

The full text of the health care resolution is as follows:

1. Whereas, the American health care system spends twice per person as Japan and Sweden for a life expectancy of 5 and 3.5 years less; leaves 45 million people uninsured; stifles competition, portability and patient choice; and

2. Whereas, Health Security America, a new, citizen-controlled, self-funded, efficient health care plan with a diverse 295,000,000 person risk pool, directed by the book Health Security America: Fixing the health care crisis by Dr. Fred Bannister offers a health-secure America

3. Resolved, all citizens may participate from birth to death in Health Security America, those under 19 years without cost.

Party members encourage anyone interested in real health care reform and affordable, available health insurance to come to the party's next meeting on Thursday, March 16th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Rice Lake Library, 2 East Marshall St., Rice Lake.

Fred Bannister has written a book, Health Security America, which mirrors this health care resolution and expands on it.
Please write to Dr. Bannister or call (715) 237-2597 for more information.