Lack of Universal Healthcare Killed Deamonte Driver

The lack of universal healthcare is one of the great shames of this country. It marks us as the only Western industrialized nation not to guarantee health benefits to its citizens. That distinction has its consequences, most recently demonstrated by the death of a 12-year-old homeless Maryland boy from an infection caused by an abscessed tooth. Deamonte Driver’s all-too-preventable death should have been a wakeup call to politicians that the lack of universal healthcare is a serious matter.

Instead, Congressmembers and Maryland state legislators are going the feel-good route. In the name of Deamonte Driver, they’re pouring more money into a broken system. Maryland legislators are proposing to give a mere $2 million to clinics around the state that provide dental care for those who can’t afford it. Meanwhile, Congress wants to distribute $40 million to health centers and departments throughout the country for dental care to poor children. It’s not enough.

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