The Health Care Debate Is Making Me Sick

by BRIAN UNGER

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EnlargeAlberto Martinez/AP

A woman shouts her opposition to the health care overhaul at a health fair held in Austin, Texas.

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August 10, 2009

The health care debate is toxic, revealing a lot about us as a nation. And it feels embarrassing — like the whole world can see our underpants. Or hear us fighting in the kitchen.

First, most of us can't describe accurately the details of the health care reform now under debate. That makes us look stupid or too busy to care.

Second, most of us can't describe accurately the health care or insurance we currently have, so that makes us look kind of stupid, too, or lazy.

Some of us don't care about people who don't have health insurance, so that makes us seem unsympathetic or super lucky.

Most of us don't understand that we're already paying for people who don't have health care — which makes us too busy to care, in denial or merely rich.

Some of us — a lot of us — already receive health care under some form of government plan, but don't believe in health care under some form of government plan. That makes us hypocritical or selfish. In some camps, I hear that makes us patriotic.

A lot of us are a combination of these things: too busy, lazy, a bit stupid perhaps, lucky, unsympathetic, in-denial, really rich, hypocritical, selfish ... and patriotic.

EnlargeCourtesy of Brian Unger

Brian Unger is a writer, satirist and actor. He helped launchThe Daily Show and he is a regular contributor to NPR.

We're having an identity crisis when it comes to caring about the nation's health, which makes me think what we really need is psychotherapy. But, sadly, that's not covered under most health plans, if you have one at all.

To many, health care reform is scary, like someone's building a halfway house for criminals right at their doorstep. It's a N.I.M.B.Y. ("Not In My Backyard") issue evolved into a N.O.M.B.O. ("Not On My Back, Obama") issue.

People never change. But policy can, so our health care reformers must get more creative and visionary.

How about a Cash for Clunkers Program? Not for cars, but for older, beat-up people whose bodies have wear and tear, and can't go long distances when they're filled with gas?

Our government is offering us $4,500 to buy a new car. Can it also offer humans incentives — say, a tax break — to join a gym? To quit smoking? Or to buy produce from local farmers? Reward schools that teach kids how to eat right and exercise? You know, kind of like that class we used to offer kids called "gym."

Let's pay people to stay healthy, instead of only paying for them when they get sick. Then maybe our nation will find its compassion, the one true antidote for its health care identity crisis.

Related NPR Stories

White House Fires Back At 'Scary' Health Care E-Mails & Videos Aug. 4, 2009

Congressman Faces Voters Angry Over Health Care Aug. 4, 2009

Blue Dogs And The Health Care Debate Aug. 4, 2009

Lawmakers Face Hostile Groups At Town Halls Aug. 4, 2009

Comments

[Stephanie]

I loved this one! I may have shared it on twitter and on my google reader. I'm that much of a fan, technologically speaking.

I was wondering if there's a way to get your new (or even your older) Unger Reports in a podcast. I know there was one for a while on iTunes when you were on Day to Day, but it looks like they don't have a separate podcast anymore (since Day to Day ended).

[Billychic]

Brian!

You're probably working/scoring work - but your fans miss your thoughts, albeit in the cybersphere...
Your commentary on the various crisis surrounding us (God, pick one, right?) are always so well-written, and make us laugh when circumstances would most likely find us rioting in the streets. There is something to be said for witty intelligence and sardonic humor to lighten the heavy load.

Hope you post something soon!

~ b

[Jack Kennedy]

Dear Brian,
I love you man! But you gotta stop hawking beamers and go back to being funny. Are you out of juice? Are you bummed about Day to Day getting canned? Get back on that horse and make me laugh.
Jack