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Health insurance, a right or a privilege?
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I was watching C-SPAN all day Saturday (exciting, I know), as the House was debating and preparing for the vote on the Democrats big health care reform bill. Unfortunately, there was so much lying and distortion being thrown around that it became impossible to distinguish fact from fiction. It’s actually quite an experience to see our elected officials present their opinions and try to convince/scare those that are in limbo to support their position. It is a bit sad that if you are looking for some insight into the bill, listening to our representatives is not the best way to do it. I recommended reading the bill, but if you can’t read 2000 pages, you should read this 10 page summary and get yourself educated on it. Now, I’m not going to preach about the bill, or about the debate between our two parties. It’s very clear that no matter what Democrats say, or Republicans say, there is something greater than a bill that is separating the parties. It is more theoretical, much more symbolic of an opinion on the role of government, and the role of individuals in a greater society. There is a real question that everyone is afraid to ask that will reveal the core beliefs of those that are liberal, and those that are conservative. What we all need to think about in order to formulate an educated opinion is to figure out what side we are on, is health care a right, or a privilege? If you can answer this question as a right, you support the bill, as a privilege, you’re against it, it’s that simple.
I cannot even begin to imagine how difficult it is for Americans without health insurance, or Americans that are denied coverage because of their insurance or pre-existing conditions. My own personal, and very diminutive story about the health insurance industry happened to me recently. I have been having chronic back pain, and my doctor suggested that I try a prescription anti-inflammatory to try and alleviate the symptoms. However, my insurance (one of the best in the country) told me that they would not be willing to pay for it because it is too expensive. They “suggested” that I try these lesser alternatives, and if they don’t work, then they will think about approving the original medicine. My doctor told me that this is a common story, and that it would take months of paper work and red tape to cut through to get the medicine they originally prescribed. Therefore, I had to take the lesser medication, and my pain has not subsided. I can’t fathom what someone with a deadly illness has to endure to get the medicine that they truly deserve. Does health care have to be all about the money, just like every other competing industry?
How bad is it for Americans who have trouble buying, and maintaining health insurance? Imagine being laid off from your work, struggling through bankruptcy, getting dropped from your provider, having your world turned upside down because of your personal health. You are struggling to find a job, you have to use money you have been saving to cover doctors visits, or you can’t even go to the doctor because you cannot afford to pay for it yourself. The treatment that you have been taking for years is all of a sudden suspended because you lost your job and coverage. Or maybe you have to chose between health insurance and quality food. Why should anyone be living with this fear of losing it all, this uncertainty about your health, your future, and your family's livelihood? Through any illness that an individual or a family goes through, all they want to be able to say is, “we’ll be ok…we’ll be ok.”
Health insurance is a privilege. Health insurance should be subjugated to the open market, and people should be free to purchase or not purchase whatever plan they want. Nobody should be forced to buy into something, and nobody should be given anything for free that will burden taxpayers. Those that can afford the best coverage should get it, those that cannot, may need to settle for something less, this is just the nature of capitalism and it works. Health care will remain at its highest level of effectiveness when medical personal are not forced to dumb down their work to a universal level. Those that are healthy will have a better life, those that are not, unfortunately will have to spend more of their own money to improve it. There is nothing in the Constitution that points to healh care as a right, therefore, the federal government should not get involved. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to afford quality health care, and it is something every American should strive for to protect themselves and their family.
Health insurance is a right. Health insurance should not be subjected to the law of “survival of the fittest.” Nobody should be denied health care due to their genetic disposition to illness, or the surprises that we all encounter in our lives that lead to doctor visits. The science and technology is there, we can fight off and prevent so many tragedies, and it is a moral imperative that we use what we have, and give it to each and every American on a need be basis. The government’s role is to protect and serve its citizens, and to create an atmosphere where you have the right to pursue what you want in your life, without the risk of losing it all due to your health. The access to affordable, quality health care is an undeniable right, we are all in this together, and we must support each other any way we can.
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