This is my third post voicing my opinion about the need for health care reform. I think everyone is now sick! Yes aren’t we all sick to death of so much energy being consumed by this issue? In fact the entire issue is sickening.
Here’s the way I look at it and a few additional links to read other’s opinions.
During the last 8 years under President Bush the Republicans had time to look at this issue and design their own plan rather than wait and then become completely unglued with President Obama’s plan currently under consideration and discussion in the Senate. Is there any other conclusion to come to other than it wasn’t even a blip on the radar screen under Bush’s administration?
Seems to me that now it’s the Republicans and their talking heads like Glenn Beck, (yea I know he’s independent, so am I; amazing how differently we look at things) who now are in the front lines screaming and hollering and stalling and using scare tactics and fear to promote their agenda. What’s their agenda? It’s to kill the bill, not address the issue and get back to (more important business). Maintain the status quo and let the insurance companies continue to cherry pick who they issue a health care policy to. (.i.e. persons with no evidence of pre-existing conditions.)
Here are 3 classes of persons that contribute to the economy and the productivity of the U.S. that prove once and for all why we can no longer ignore this issue and why we have to find a way to get affordable health care for our citizenry.
Times have changed and in today’s world that includes the new way American’s work and make money. We have a constantly growing class of person’s who no longer work for big companies that provide Health Care.
1 – Independent Contractor’s. These are people that are self-employed. They use a 1099, and are responsible to pay 100% of their own taxes and keep tabs on all the issues typically handles by an Employer. Examples include, Federal and State income taxes, Unemployment insurance, workman’s compensation, etc. Jobs these people do include, Real Estate Agents, Writers, Free Lancers, etc.
2 – Small Businesses. These are mom and Pop companies that are small and run small retail establishments, and provide services like janitorial, painting and remodeling, Designers, etc.
3 – Entrepreneurs. Like Independent Contractors, entrepreneurs are the vision people,the ones that want to work hard but for themselves to build up their dream of their businesses.
What do all three of these examples have in common? You guessed it! They all have to find a way to get insurance in the open market.
Let me share a little secret with you. Sickness, disease and infirmity are not exclusive to the aged, or to seniors. I don’t care if you’re in the top shape of your life, whether you’re a vegan, work out daily, or practice yoga.
In a very brief article by found on the website “Always On” Jeff Bussgang, partner at Flybridge Capital asks “where can he find an analysis of the impact of the plan on entrepreneurship?” Read post Health Care and Entrepreneurship
At any time a person can get sick, discover they have a disease, have an accident or need to be treated medically for any number of ailments. And without having a comprehensive health plan it is going to break them financially. The worst case scenario is when they seek medical treatment and can’t pay for it, they will receive the treatment they need and it will be at the tax payer’s expense anyway. For the individual it means if they can not take care of their medical bills, they have to spend down deplete all their money and then get public assistance. The results to the individual are traumatic, they’re broke, bankrupt and demoralized.
Isn’t the example of the 3 classes refered to above enough to make any clear thinking Republican or Conservative sit up and take notice? People after their own heart I would think. Hard working responsible people trying to build a life, and add and contribute value to our society! With health care available to everyone so we can maintain healthier communities we all will win in the long term.
I’m not advocating that persons should be irresponsible and expect that they’ll be cared for. In fact I think there should be incentives for healthy behavior just like the auto insurance industry rewards safe drivers with discounts and rebates. In turn there should be penalties for persons who abuse their health.
I issued a dare in my first post on Health care reform in this blog. I dare anyone to volunteer to try and get private insurance in this country who speaks out against health care reform. The dare would have that person assume a role of so they could get a first hand experience to see what it is actually like to obtain health care. Like the book I read when I was a kid, Black like me. Griffin takes on the role of black man to write a riveting book about his true experiences in the role he assumes. If you’ve never read, I highly recommend it. There’s an old proverb, Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes. Link to Amazon to read excerpt. Click to read excerpt of Black like me
I really can’t believe that anyone tries to argue the case that we have the best health care system in the world! I hear the argument that wealthy persons from abroad come here to seek medical treatment. Let’s not compare having brilliant doctors and procedures for those who have the resources to access them with a system that works and allows every citizen access to health care.
Let’s demand our elected officials come together, address and find some fixes for our broken system and elevate us in this vital need and continue to uphold our reputation and standing as “America being the greatest nation on earth!”
See Alec Baldwin’s article Click to read “The Republican Way: Keeping Everything The Way It Is”
See Tommy Hough’s Blog on Radio FM 94.9, Click to read “The Myth of Health Care Coverage”
