Before class last night one of my students came to me with a copy of the daily paper. She pointed to an article about health care reform and told me it said that children with pre-existing conditions would no longer be barred from getting insurance. She looked me straight in the eye and said, “Is this really true?” I said that it would be soon, once the details get sorted out. She visibly shook with relief as she told me how she had been unable to insure her six-year-old son due to his mental health problems. Her eyes were wide with hope.
So many people I know are angry and resentful, even downright fearful about health care reform. Though I reserve judgment about the specifics of the plan, I've done lot of research from a variety of sources to cut through all sorts of misinformation, and I am honestly hopeful.
What I see when I look at health care reform is an attempt to solve a serious and growing problem in a humane and pragmatic way. Will it actually solve it? Can’t imagine it will, but it’s a start.
I see a messy and imperfect product of a democratic system we cherish (and that thankfully includes an amendment process).
I see an attempt to preserve stellar private health care delivery while reversing the trend of increasing exclusion from a health insurance system that (for good and bad) has essentially become the gatekeeper of access to health care.
I see a law that, though passed without bipartisan support, is full of bipartisan substance. Two of the key components—the individual mandate and the exchange—originated with Republicans and were supported by Republicans until a Democratic majority chose to embrace them.
I see a call for citizens to step up on behalf our nation—a reminder that civilization involves responsibilities, not just rights. I see value for all of us in having a healthier population in much the same way as I see value for all of us in having an educated population.
I see more freedom to pursue career and entrepreneurial dreams instead of being chained to the wrong job for fear of losing coverage. (And maybe, someday, if the exchanges work, we'll have a system that untangles health insurance coverage and employment.)
I see more women with access to prenatal, obstetric and pediatric care that may feel freer to choose life for their children.
I see “we the people” leveraging the power of joining together and pooling our resources to spread risk and to increase access to health care, especially when we—and it could be any one of us—need it the most.
I see my vote as my willingness to participate.
I see society, not socialism. I see community, not communism.
If it helps to ensure that my student’s six-year-old son can have access to health care, I am happy to make sure that I have insurance myself.
6 comments:
Well spoken. I hope you are right.
love to hear the tone of your voice in this community
tired of the fear, hate and anger of some of my neighbors
your post was nice
peace
steve
I feel your passion. :) I do.
I hope all of the things that seem to be more about the people end up being true.
I am a little concerned about the last-minute deals to get this passed, but as far as the spirit of the law... I am there.
Nice post. It focuses on a postive aspect of the new law.
I too have done a lot of research on the cost side of the plan. I am not nearly as hopeful about that aspect.
Paul Simon sums it up best for me:
I have squandered my resistance for a pocketful of mumbles, such are promises. All lies and jest, still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.
Thank you for sharing the link to your blog with me! I've found a kindred spirit. My husband and I are not alone in our quest for "social justice." I use the phrase in honor of Chris (he finds way to use it in every conversation).
My husband worked at the same poor-paying job with progressively worse managers and pay (he worked for the state of Utah) for almost 25 years because of the good benefits (i.e., health insurance). He didn't dare try to get a job elsewhere with possibly less-beneficial benefits because, two months after he started this job--his first job out of graduate school--he developed a chronic illness. Back then, the insurance companies were real sticklers for not covering pre-existing conditions.
Children aren't the only ones who come into new insurance situations with pre-existing conditions. At least one aspect of the ACA, guaranteeing coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, is going to be extremely beneficial. In addition, extended health care insurance coverage for adult children affects two of our adult children who are currently in college.
The US is the only civilized nation without some form of nationalized health care. We may have the best health care options in the world, but millions of people will never benefit from all of that unless the health care insurance model is modified. The ACA is a good start; let's not throw out the baby with the bath water just yet.
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