Again, I don't know everything. It is hard to find articles about the Act that are not biased or hateful. I know it is trying to form some kind of public health system for those that either cannot afford to get it from their employers or don't offer it at all. I'm heard some talk of making having health insurance mandatory to have, which can be obtained by the government if not available at work.
I think that last part is what has most American ticked off - 'required' to have health insurance.
"This is the land of the free, Kristina. Why do they get to tell me what to do?" - Well they told you that you had to have car insurance in order to drive and house insurance to own a home. Did you find it unconstitutional? Did you picket the Whitehouse for it? I think health insurance will have the same options as car insurance - you either have it and drive legally or you can drive without it and pray you don't get pulled over.
My biggest concern is the lack of empathy Americans have for each other. For a country based on Christian values and morals, there aren't many willing to share the basic rules of love and hospitality. I can only share my story in hopes it may open someone's eyes and realize how selfish we are all being by thinking of only ourselves.
I am a cancer survivor. Sadly enough I have extensive medical needs, including labs, prescriptions and even specialists. When I was 18 I was employed at a large company with medical benefits, so thankfully, I was able to get the care I needed. A few years later, I was fired from that job and lost all of my benefits. My doctors still agreed to see me, but at a heavy cash price. I was constantly in debt to them and always had collections phone calls wanting to know why my insurance was not paying the balance (uh hello?).
I was out of work for 8 weeks before I found another job, but still couldn't afford the insurance offered on my new, lower salary. I didn't qualify for Medicaid or government assistance because I didn't have any children. Eventually, I just stopped going to the doctor. For many, this may seem like no big deal. Lots of people skip the doctor. I felt almost the same way. I thought I could go longer without checking on my thyroid disease or having my sky high cholesterol evaluated. I didn't need to know if my platelets were running low that month or if I was possibly coming down with a cold.
But a few months later I freaked out. I had found a lump in my breast and panicked. I had several risk factors for breast cancer and knew I should get it checked soon, but I couldn't afford the doctor visit or the specialist visit. I ignored it and kept thinking it would just go away. What was I going to do if I had cancer anyway? I couldn't afford the treatments!
Only after my husband practically begged me to see someone, I finally dipped into our rent money and paid to see the doctor. After several appointments, I was thankful the mass they had found was benign and was just going to annoy me the rest of my life. But to this day I still owe them a balance for the visit.
A year and a half after losing my job with benefits, I was able to start at a local business that offered health insurance I can afford. Needless to say, I was elated. I had never been so happy to go back to the doctor. I am thankful everyday I can pick up my medicines and can go to the specialist I need when the time comes. Frankly, it's the kind of joy I want everyone to know!
So when I heard word of this Obamacare that offered the chance for everyone to be able to see the doctor, my first thought was "Why the hell not?". Plenty of countries in the world have private and public healthcare systems and networks of doctors that fit into the budget every year.....so why can't we do it? Everyone is so scared of the government 'taking over' or 'telling them what to do' but no one understands that we can still have choices. Even countries such as England have two sets of doctors and health clinics - privately owned and government regulated. You can choose to go to a government clinic if you don't have insurance. If you do have insurance you can choose the doctor in your insurance's network to see. Why can't we have that? We, the 'land of the free' and one of the most wealthiest countries in the world? So 'wealthy' we can't even try to care for our sick and wounded?
Frankly, I'm tired of the whining and complaining. Yes it would be hard and yes it may cause a higher tax or some inconvenience somewhere but, good Lord, think of those that don't have the help they need. While you're popping your multi-vitamin or Tamiflu and reading this, think of that child, mom, dad, grandparent, student that can't afford to even walk into a clinic. Medicaid/Medicare and government assistance won't cover everyone (trust me I know), so who will? And I just 'love' those activists that have the argument "Well I work for my money" or "I'm not supporting deadbeats" or something similar. Is this the Christian value we're trying to say America stands on? Is this really the Karma we need to put out in the universe?
I support something like this because I know what it's like to decide between getting my prescriptions or buying groceries. I know what it feels like to skip doctor visits and put off seeking medical attention. I know what it's like to lay in bed at night and wondering where the money can come from to be able to go to the doctor. I know what it's like to cry yourself to sleep hoping that this lump inside me isn't cancer, wishing it would go away because I couldn't afford to get it checked out.
I know the plan they have out now isn't perfect. It probably needs amendments or corrections made. But that doesn't mean we have to throw out the entire plan. America needs to take care of its people. What the old saying? - "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" - meaning take care of your healthy citizens now and get the care they need to stay healthy or pay more for their emergent and chronic care later!
PS: I thought this was a great article - http://www.progressohio.org/blog/affordable-healthcare/
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