Capitalist politicians and economists have spent much of the last few years assuring workers that declining living conditions will reverse themselves once the economy re-enters a “boom” period. However, a recently released study shows that 25 percent of parents report that their children were either uninsured or underinsured in 2007, before the beginning of the crisis.
Being underinsured is defined by Michael Kogan, an official at the Health Resources and Services Administration and the main author of the study, as “coverage that doesn’t provide adequate benefits or provides poor coverage of costs.” (HealthDay.com, Aug. 25) According to the survey, 14.1 million children are in this situation.
Only a system as brutal as capitalism is capable of turning health care into a commodity and denying it to sick children. As the current recession drags on, many more will undoubtedly lose the ability to receive adequate medical attention. This study highlights a horrifying example of the irrationality of a system solely interested in maximizing profits.
