Government Subsidized Healthcare. Americans are all over the board when it comes to this topic. For those of you who know me, you know I am a Liberal. This being said, I would also like to state that just because I would categorize myself as such, I do have an opinion on most all facets of the title and if I disagree with any position/platform that lies beneath this umbrella I will challenge it as I would anything else in my life. I consider myself a Liberal, but please don't assume that just because I'm playing for that team means I'm automatically gonna swing at every pitch. However, I am whole-heartedly in support of "healthcare for all". Not because I'm a Liberal, a Democrat, or an Obama supporter. It's because I have first hand experience with living, breathing, working, loving, struggling, law abiding people near and dear to my heart who do not have, nor do they have any means and access to health insurance. Before I dive right into my opinion, let me ask you, The Reader, a few questions that have influenced my stance on the matter:
- Do you know someone (family member, friend, co-worker, acquaintance) living without health insurance?
-If so, do you love them and are you concerned about their well-being and that of their spouse/children? -Are they without insurance because they are lazy, no-good, leeches on society? Or are they hardworking, dependable folks who simply cannot afford it?
- Have you ever been without health insurance for either yourself or your children?
- In these economic times, with soaring unemployment there are a number of those with graduate degrees resorting to taking multiple low-paying, minimum wage fast-food, retail or entry-level "jobs" (that typically DO NOT provide benefits) in order to secure any form of income possible. Know anyone who falls into this category?
With those questions to chew on, let me tell you about the folks who I know that are personally affected by the above scenarios. First to come to mind is my Dad. A man in his mid-50's who has worked manual-labor jobs his entire life, and who was laid off last year. I'm assuming due both the economy as well as his age, he can't find full-time/full-benefits employment. He works where he can find work now, typically on a temporary basis and of course without the luxury of health insurance. Could he enroll in an independent health plan? Sure. Well, he could try anyway, but do you have the slightest clue as to how much a monthly premium/annual deductible would cost a male at his age? Double what I pay per year for the plan that I am fortunate to have, assuming they would insure him at all. It literally sickens me to think of what could happen if he were to fall ill or be involved in an accident.
I, too, have been without insurance in the past when I was between full-time, full-benefit employment and let me tell you, it's not a fun place to be. The what-if's are enough stress alone to make one physically ill. As I said in the previous paragraph, I am VERY fortunate to have insurance provided to me by my employer, but I have a countless number of friends who aren't as blessed. Some are full-time employees whose place of employment will not offer them health benefits, and on the entry-level salaries they earn, they simply cannot afford to enroll in an independent policy. Others are musicians, artists, songwriters and entrepreneurs who make enough money to feed, clothe and shelter themselves and their families, but as well cannot afford to go the independent route.
Then there are the folks who can't get a job to save their lives. Not because they're lazy, or stupid, or unqualified, but because THERE ARE NO JOBS TO BE HAD. We are in tough economic times and we simply do not have the opportunities available to send off a resume and get hired on the spot. What are these folks to do?
I know those who oppose say things like "I get up and go to work everyday" or "I already give enough money to the government for those lazy pieces of shit" or "I EARN what I have". Sure, I feel the same way, too. Especially when it's in regards to the particular subset of "lazy pieces of shit" who milk the system for all it's worth while poppin out a herd of babies they can't, and never had the intention, of supporting. In my opinion, the government should also be able to zone in on those folks and sterilize them, but I'm sure there are people who would not be in favor of that suggestion either, but hey it's my blog and I can say what I want, right? lol I could write and entire blog about my opinions on that situation alone but I will spare you at this time. :) However, my mind keeps going to the folks who are hard-working, intelligent, law-abiding AMERICAN'S that can't seem to catch a break and who have to struggle with the decision on whether or not to go into overwhelming debt in order to have testing performed to ensure they aren't on the verge of a stroke, or who face the consequence of loosing their home due to a car accident/stroke/ heart attack, OR who simply have to make the decision every month on whether or not to buy groceries/pay their electric bills/buy their children necessities versus purchasing the medication they need to survive.
Will there be flaws in the new system? Yes. Definitely. Are there serious flaws in many of the systems that we currently abide by and have for decades? Yes. Is the thought of change in the society that we are accustomed to scary? Hell yes. But is it necessary to cross into "scary" territory in order to make a POSITIVE change in our world and to accommodate our ever-changing society? YES.
If you are lucky enough to not be affected by any of the personal situations I've discussed you are BLESSED. THANK GOD EVERYDAY FOR YOUR GOOD FORTUNE. Just keep in mind, it might not always be that way. When the shoe's on the other foot, how will you feel?
