Swine flu shows us why health care access must be universal

This is one of an occasional series of posts from CCLP's Special Counsel Ed Kahn, on topics ranging from public policy to the economy to politics to the media. Enjoy:

At this writing, it is unclear whether swine flu will come to Colorado, and whether it will be serious if it does. But one thing is clear: swine flu shows us why health care must be universal.

The authorities tell us that Tamiflu and another anti-viral medication are effective against swine flu, and the US Center for Disease Control tells it has 50 million doses in storage, being shipped to the States or in reserve to be distributed. But one thing is certain – unless the people who have been infected with serious cases of swine flu get the medication, they will suffer, their families will suffer, and their children will suffer. And each one of them may inadvertently infect others in the general population.

The best antidote – make evaluation and treatment available to all, through primary care doctors, school nurses, and others in addition to the emergency room. The emergency room will not be able to handle all should swine flu come to Colorado. And if we do not do this, the effects of any epidemic will be much worse. It is for the protection of all that all must be served. If there is a case to be made to the contrary, I do not know of it. Can you think of any reason to expose more people to this disease, when with sensible precautions we can avoid doing so? I can't.

--Ed Kahn, CCLP Special Counsel