As the health care bill was being passed through the Senate, millions of Republicans simultaneously pounded their heads against the wall, my parents included. Call me a crazy, tree-hugging Democrat, but the new health care bill seems pretty good. Let’s review the main points, shall we?
1. By 2014, insurance companies will not be able to deny anybody for coverage.
2. By 2014, children up to the age of 26 will be able to stay on their parent’s plans, provided that they are not able to get insurance through their
employer.
3. By 2014, the number of uninsured Americans will drop by more than half.
I understand that America is in a recession right now, but can we really put a price on health? The benefits of this overhaul greatly outweigh the disadvantages. And while I understand that Americans don’t want to shell out any more money than they already are, they can take solace in the fact that government tax credits will be made available to working middle-class families.
Health care debates have ruled elections for years, but this is the first time something is really being done about it. I’m not saying this bill is perfect, but it’s a start, and it is putting us one step ahead of where we were just last year, and that alone is something to be proud of.
As I watched C-SPAN Sunday night, I couldn’t help but think how ridiculous all of the opponents (mainly Republicans) to the bill were acting. I understand that that was really their last chance to stop the bill from being passed, but they sounded like a bunch of barbarians.
There were people speaking out of turn, disobeying their allotted time to speak, and literally booing others.
These are professionals who we elected to represent us, and they could hardly respect one another. The whole ordeal was more comical than productive, unfortunately.
Support the new bill or not, at least make sure you have all of your facts straight about it. Don’t rely just on what you hear on the news, or what your parents tell you. Actually take the time to read through it or at least the main points of it. There’s nothing worse than arguing with someone who doesn’t even have the right facts.
