Why don’t we take better care of our kids?

I’ve just returned from a brief but relieving visit to my pediatrician’s after-hours clinic. No, my six-month-old daughter doesn’t have an ear infection. What she does have is a pretty good insurance plan, which costs us an arm and a leg. We run our own business and must buy our own. We’re lucky enough to be able to afford it. But why? Why is it costing us so much? Why are so many children unable to be insured? Why are so many parents beholden to their employers to keep their families covered? Why are so many businesses burdened with paying for insurance? Why should employment be a criteria for insuring? These questions aren’t new. In fact, they’re being asked a lot. Even the doctor we saw today brought it up. And that’s good. We’re going to keep bringing it up until this country gets its collective act together, puts its money where its mouth is and makes affordable insurance more than just “Family Values” rhetoric. We can do better. And we should do better. Because being proud to be an American should include how well we take care of our kids.