Heath Care Reform: Jeff Weiss

People are passionate about health care reform, regardless of which side of the debate they favor. Never in my lifetime have I seen such a strong division across our country. And yet, it all seems very simple to me. People need health coverage. It is a basic need. We are the richest country in the world, yet we would purposely and without regret deny coverage for people who cannot afford to purchase insurance. Some say that it will cost too much. When I hear that excuse, I have to remind myself that the “war on terror” has cost us over $900,000,000,000 since 2001. Still, the debate rages on. Democrats and Republicans are split along party lines. Conservative and liberal television commentators stir the pot with their take on the subject. But at the end of the day, only the facts remain. Here are few things to think about:

TRUE:
* People who cannot afford insurance would be able to purchase it at a fair price.
* Insurance companies will not be able to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions.
* Health insurers will no longer be able to cap coverage.
* For the first ten years, it will cost about $100 billion a year.
* People who chose not to purchase insurance will be penalized.

NOT TRUE:
* Illegal immigrants will receive free health care.
* Medicare will stop covering chemotherapy.
* Bureaucrats will decide who will receive health coverage.
* The government will pick your health coverage for you.
* The government will determine wages of health care professionals.

If you are happy with your health care coverage and feel no need to change it, think for a moment about your neighbor, who may not have coverage. Right now, 47 million Americans do not have health insurance. Most people get their health insurance from their employers, and we are currently at at a 26 year high in unemployment. We live in a country that seems to think it's fine to get into debt for a war, but not to give health insurance to our fellow citizens.

Health care reform isn't just needed, it should be demanded.

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