A Giant Leap Towards a Healthy America

On Sunday, March 21, the House passed the health care bill that has created sincere animosity between Democrats and Republicans. For the most part, Republicans have strong views against the passing of this bill for reasons that are somewhat reasonable, but mostly ignorant. They feel that American will be losing billions of dollars through taxes during a time that is already ridden with significant debt, which may be partly true. What they don’t seem to understand is that millions of Americans are suffering each year financially, physically, and mentally because they cannot afford health care. Reality and statistics show that some Americans simply don’t have the same opportunities as others which can lead them to working jobs that don’t provide a health plan. Should these Americans suffer by the price of death? Absolutely not, but unfortunately that is what’s happening every day.


I have seen firsthand how the health system works and how ‘accommodating’ hospitals can be if a person doesn’t have health insurance. Hospitals will treat patients initially regardless if they’re covered or not, but will turn their shoulders on them later if they can’t provide a means of payment. If someone can’t afford their medications that will keep them alive, then who’s to blame? The answer is Ms. Liberty and the naysayers in congress that feel a public health care plan is a ‘bad idea.’

One of the arguments against health care reform is that doctors will be losing money from their salary. Does this complaint not seem similar to the ones that were voiced by the Wall-Street CEO’s when they were crying about their salary bonuses? This case is obviously on a lesser scale but seriously, people need to be less materialistic and start looking out for their countrymen. We hear stories every day about children dying in their hospital beds because they are uninsured. If people took a deeper look at this issue, they would certainly be less naïve and have a little more sympathy for their neighbors.

The bill passed on Sunday was a significant victory for the American people. According to the New York Times, Democratic Representative James E. Clyburn of South Carolina said, “This is the civil rights act of the 21st century.” I couldn’t agree more with his statement. New doors are about to be open for millions of Americans. Not only will this health care reform provide us with a healthier America, but it will give us a more productive America. No longer will citizens have to work just to pay off their hospital and prescription bills. No longer will families worry about their children being denied an organ transplant. Better days are upon us, it is time to embrace change.