Author T. R. Reid challenges Rhode Islanders to lead the U.S. on universal health care
  "Universal health coverage is not going to come out of Washington. The way we're going to get to universal coverage is state-by-state. So why not Rhode Island first?" author T. R. Reid challenged an audience of business and community leaders, medical providers, advocates, and policy makers at the Foundation yesterday. Reid recently wrote the book, The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care.
In his remarks, Reid identified four basic health care systems he found around the world as he conducted research for his book. He then outlined what works and doesn't work with each system.
"We have all four models right here in America...No other country has all four systems. They have one model for everybody," he explained, noting that a single system is simpler, less expensive, provides an economic incentive for preventive care, and is fairer.
"The main lesson I learned is that the design of a country's health care system reflects its moral character. If you don't make the moral commitment to cover everyone, you end up with America's health care system. If we could find the political will to cover everyone, the other countries could show us the way," Reid concluded.
The gathering was the first in a series of public conversations, "Making It Work: Health Reform in Rhode Island," co-sponsored by The Rhode Island Foundation and Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts. |
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Taking Care: A Guide to Primary Care Services for Rhode Islanders
The Rhode Island State Nurses Association, with support from The Rhode Island Foundation and the Central RI Area Health Education Center, recently published Taking Care: A Guide to Primary Care Services for Rhode Islanders. The Guide was inserted in the Saturday, October 24 Providence Journal and also is available online. |
