Ohio takes step in right direction
By Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
Updated Wed December 9, 2009
Ohio lawmakers yesterday passed a bill that would require insurance coverage for diabetes. The state is one of a handful that do not currently require such coverage.
Think about it. There are (I believe) four states I could never live in for this one reason. What happened to the land of the free?
The proposal still has to pass the Ohio Senate and, according to news reports, passage is uncertain. The big concern for lawmakers: insurance mandates would burden small businesses.
I work for a small business. I understand the concern. Really.
However, when people with diabetes lack insurance and are unable to afford basic care, they risk ending up much sicker, and eventually disabled. That places an expensive burden on everyone, from businesses to Joe Taxpayer. When will lawmakers, either on the state or federal level, get the message: shelling out some dollars for preventive care is far more cost-effective than ignoring the long-term risks of not doing so?
Theresa Flaherty
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