We, the Jackson County Democratic Executive Committee, support President Obama’s plans to reform health care in our nation and urge Congressman Gene Taylor to support him too. His basic requirements — reduce costs, guarantee choice, and ensure quality care for all — are things any reasonable and caring person can support. Below are our reasons for support.

We recognize that many people, especially in this state, are uninsured and cannot afford the care they and their families need.

Unemployment and under-employment in this economic downturn have especially impacted Mississippi and caused the loss of health insurance for many people. Some even work several part-time jobs to make ends meet, but part-time work does not get health insurance.

Many employers are dropping health care insurance for employees and reducing coverage and increasing deductibles to save money.

Catastrophic illness has caused a rise in bankruptcy and poverty in this already poor state.

Delaying care because of lack of insurance ultimately results in more expensive emergency care which we all pay for in higher hospital and insurance costs.

Insurance costs have increased disproportionately to wages and inflation, yet insurance profits and executive bonuses are ridiculously high.

Lack of federal oversight and regulation allows insurers to dictate policy costs and coverage, and allows them to deny claims and coverage at will. (Do anti-trust laws mean nothing?)

At the state level, a lack of regulation allows insurance agents, companies and PACS to make campaign contributions to the one state official who “controls” insurance activities. Our insurance commissioner is powerless when they can refuse to write policies in this state (as we saw with property insurers after Katrina).

Most other industrialized nations have far more efficient and inexpensive health care systems than ours.