Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac & Your Family's Health Care

America is in a severe economic slump. Concurrently, the nation's health care costs, for a growing and aging population, are increasing. When the denominator (gross domestic product or GDP) shrinks or stalls, and the numerator (health care costs) grows, we will devote an increasing percentage of the gross domestic product to health care, giving politicians an excuse to vote against meaningful health care reform with health services for all Americans. I expect to hear the refrain "we don't have the money just now" from state capitals and Washington, coupled with the inference that health care is taking too big a bite out of America's economic apple.

The collapse of Wall Street, the exposure of our government to default on $5.2 trillion in mortgages (which you, the taxpayer, will be expected to underwrite), the lack of overall government credibility with its effect on individuals' and business' purchasing plans, and dismal newspaper headlines all affect the GDP denominator. A decrease in preventive medicine, early diagnosis and treatment, childrens' services and health technology, coupled with accelerating pharmaceutical costs, will eventually inflate the numerator.

As we move into the Democratic and Republican conventions, listen critically for realistic discussion of serious health care reform. It's your family's health and well-being they won't be talking about.