As a physician in Renton, I’m very concerned about what years of budget cuts are doing to our state’s health-care system. While you may have not yet felt the pain, I promise you, your neighbors have. Soon we’ll all experience the impact of more cuts to health care if the Legislature ignores the governor’s call to include new revenue to solve the state budget deficit.
Some say these cuts will save us money. But the price we pay will be greater than the savings. An all-cuts budget would dismantle our primary health-care safety net, by eliminating Disability Lifeline, a vital program for people who are temporarily disabled, and Basic Health, which gives health coverage to struggling working families.
Instead of getting preventive care at their local community health center, like HealthPoint here in Renton where I work, people who have lost their health coverage will forego treatment until the emergency room is their only option. What could have been a $150 primary care visit becomes a $16,000 inpatient hospital stay.
If you need stitches or a cast for a broken arm, expect to get in line at the ER behind parents seeking help for their one-year-old’s earache, or others seeking treatment for their chronic conditions. You can also look forward to skyrocketing health insurance premiums as hospitals pass these costs on.
More cuts to health care will take a devastating toll on real people. We see an average of 76 patients each day at HealthPoint Renton, while the lobby is packed with a growing number of others hoping for a cancellation. Dozens of other clinics across the state face the same wearisome scenario.
For people like Karen D. who has always worked but does not receive insurance from her employer, regular access to her doctor and medication not only sustains normality, it sustains her life. She relies on the high- quality, affordable care at HealthPoint to help keep her blood pressure under control. In my years working in community health, I have never met a patient who does not want to be a productive member of the community. No one wants to be dependent.
I took an oath to prevent harm, and I believe our state elected officials should do the same. I ask you to join me in urging our legislators to give voters a chance to save these programs. I believe voters will choose to raise revenue to save lives and maintain our healthy communities.
Dr. Kelly Barbour is the lead provider at Renton Healthpoint Community Health Center.
