More Drastic Reforms Needed

In the final chapter of “The Starting Gate,” the authors discuss policy reforms that could both decrease the number of LBW babies born and help reduce the health risks for LBW babies that are born. While I generally agreed with all the reforms suggested, like increasing Medicaid and WIC coverage to a greater number of pregnant women, I feel as though this chapter sidesteps the main problem inherent in our country today effecting LBW babies. The main issue is that there exists a terrible inequality of wealth and resources. For example, our health care system is grossly inadequate and unfair. Vast majorities of poorer people in this country do not have health insurance, or their insurance does not cover their medical needs. It’s not just LBW babies that suffer from inadequate medical coverage, but a wide range of the population.  Wealthy people on the other hand get all the medical assistance that they need. Therefore I feel as though the reform suggestions put forth in this book are like putting a band-aid on a gaping wound. The book specifically states that the greater the income of a family the less detrimental the effects of LBW for an infant. While the reforms it suggests may be helpful, they simply are not enough to really solve the problem. A more permanent and lasting solution might be to implement a single payer health care system for the entire population. Or create a high quality public pre-school program that anyone would be allowed to join. While it’s great to try to expand the amount of medical or educational assistance poor families get, it would be even better if free health care and free early childhood education existed for everyone. I understand that this book is probably trying to make realistic suggestions, and that proposing something like a socialist healthcare system is laughably impractical for the United States. However, if we were talking about the most effective solutions I think free, high quality health care for every member of the population would make the most sense.