If you had to sum up the problems of American health care in
two words, they would be "cost" and "coverage". The country spends
16% of its GDP on health. Yet a six of the population lacks medical 62．______
coverage. Most Americans receive health insurance through their
employer. The government picks up the bill for the elder and the poor. 63．______
But an estimating 47 million people fall through cracks — a number 64．______
that is rising as premiums (保险金) soar.
Because so many people should be without medical coverage in 65．______
the world’s richest country is a disgrace. It spoils the lives of the
uninsured, who are unable to get access with affordable treatment at
an early age. And it casts a shadow of fear well beyond, to America’s
middle classes who worry about not their jobs but their healthcare 66．______
benefits as well. It is also grossly inefficient. Hospitals are forced,
by law, to help anyone who arrived in the emergency room. 67．______
Since those with insurance coverage usually cannot pay for that car, 68．______
the bill is passed on everyone else, driving up premiums. Higher
premiums, by turn, swell the ranks of the uninsured. 69．______
Breaking that spiral would be a big step towards fixing American
healthcare. And it is one that politicians at last seem ready to get. Not 70．______
in Washington, where reform is still stalled (延误) by an argument
between conservatives, who think more about consumer choice, with 71．______
those on the left, who think government intervention is the answer.
Instead, state governors are taking the lead.