Teresa Sue Bratton, MD - On Health Care
“I believe it’s time for all Americans to have health care coverage.
“The healthcare system should be invested in wellness, emphasizing primary preventive care, chronic disease management and mental health parity.”
- Teresa Sue Bratton, MD
Dr. Bratton supports:
- Comprehensive, affordable, age-appropriate health care for every man, woman and child in America.
- Improved quality and efficiency in our health care delivery with rewards for the use of evidence-based medicine, implementation of electronic medical records and malpractice reform.
- Top quality care for our Veterans with reduced waiting times for medical care.
"The United States of America can deliver the highest quality health care in the world. But this health care comes with a price, and for many Americans it is a price that is out of reach. An estimated 47 million citizens in our country do not have health care insurance. Those with insurance are often forced to continue in their present job rather than risk losing health care coverage.
"My plan calls for health care for every American - a system that cuts costs and provides better care. Americans have the most expensive health care system in the world. We need a change. We need affordable, portable and comprehensive coverage that does not bankrupt families, including preventive primary care, chronic disease management and mental health parity.”
"People delay seeking help for treatable diseases until the emergency visit, and this can be TOO LATE. Those who lose their jobs face higher insurance costs, particularly for pre-existing conditions. The ability of self-employed persons to obtain health insurance is dependent on age, health, medical and drug history and job description. They have no bargaining position other than to accept or reject what is offered. If a major illness occurs, insurance costs generally rise and coverage may be cancelled.
"The medical costs of the uninsured or underinsured may force families or individuals into bankruptcy. But these medical costs of the uninsured also create bad debt that can increase the premiums of the insured and put pressure on hospitals who are trying to remain solvent and continue to provide high quality care. Cost saving measures have included lengthening nurses' shifts and staffing with fewer nurses - contributing to lower quality care and a nursing shortage.
"It is time for our country to step forward and find a way for Americans to have access to health care that provides better care, cuts costs and is available to everyone. By expanding existing systems and creating non-profit purchasing pools where families and individuals can obtain affordable coverage with either a private insurer or a public insurance plan, we can cover all Americans."
- Dr. Bratton
Veteran's Health Care Issues
- Veterans are waiting in line for medical care because the funding is inadequate to meet the need. Overall quality of care has improved and the VA is utilizing electronic medical records keeping, but the demand for services has increased due to the high number of serious injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- We must increase timeliness of care for our veterans who have served our country. Thousands of injured troops are returning home with post traumatic stress syndrome and a need for physical and mental health care. We must document the numbers and act accordingly to provide for the increased level of demand.
"The Veterans Administration faces upwards of $3 billion in budget shortfall as a result of underestimating the health care needs of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. We must address this issue immediately and provide a long-term plan to meet the needs of those who serve our country so bravely.”
- Dr. Bratton