Healthcare is a big debate right now among congress and among American citizens. For those who do not know, Barack Obama is pushing congress to pass a Universal Healthcare bill that enables all citizens of the United States to have affordable health insurance. I spoke to students and a good friend of mine about how they feel about the plan, and how it might affect their own personal situation as well.
Matt Marsh was asked about how he feels about the plan, what could happen in his eyes if it passes and what his concerns are. “I am afraid of a universal socialist kind of system”, says Marsh. “We won’t get immediate care when we need it. Look at Canada for an example, that’s an extreme example but ultimately that’s what it’s going to come to.” Another thing that Marsh is concerned about is illegal immigrants taking advantage of the health care system. “I am worried about illegal immigrants about getting healthcare. It’s the most shocking thing,” said Marsh. “They don’t pay taxes, and then free health care; that’s ridiculous.”
Marsh feels that it would not affect him for a few reasons. “We live in a part of the country where most people are well off. We can go to the hospital and get proper care and we are fine,” says Matt. On a country wide basis, he feels a bit different. “It would be easier for people not as fortunate as us to get care, but if you do that, it could jeopardize people who have worked for it; but also, everybody would have to get care and it would add to the downsizing of doctors.”
Matt Burke feels a bit different then Matt Marsh. Burke was asked for his view on the issue and he stated this, “If you can afford it, you should cover yourself.” “If you cannot afford it, it should be offered.” He feels it should be more small business oriented. For example, if a small business hires somebody, the worker should be covered by it.
Cyrus Ebinger seems to hold a stance that doesn’t particularly lean one way or another. “Everybody will get healthcare which is the obvious pro. The con is the fact we are in a recession and we don’t have money to throw away,” says Ebinger. Cyrus feels the same way about bailout packages and how people in Washington think giving people money will make the problems go away. “It will make us less cautious, which is not what we need to be doing.”
A good friend of mine, Jeanine Budd, had chimed in on her experiences with health insurance and how it affects her daily life. “The one thing that concerns me most about the bill is that, once the two senate bills are merged, it's likely to come without a public option, meaning I'll probably be left having to get some sort of insurance, or face a penalty. I myself am not eligible for Mass Health, but I am eligible for free health insurance under Commonwealth Care, which helps people pay their insurance premiums based on income. If you make less than 100% of the federal poverty guideline, like myself (then you qualify).” Jeanine feels as though the health bill will not affect her too much personally. “It is however, going to help a lot of people throughout the country have access to medical care that, frankly, I think everyone should have access to.”
Jeanine has faced another issue: not being able to go to school which provided her with healthcare. “I'm not quite sure how other companies work, but where I work, at a Barnes & Noble college bookstore, you only get health insurance if you’re full-time,” says Budd. “Now, even though I work 20 or more hours a week, I'm only considered a seasonal employee. The status of an employee is not determined based on the amount of hours you work a week but on what your boss decides to say you are.” To sum it up, Jeanine said that for somebody who is in a situation like her, without a college education and considered a “seasonal worker," they would be kept without a plan, because that’s the best option for that person economically.
That raises a big question that I feel a lot more people, other then myself or Jeanine, need to think about. Which is more important? Having health coverage so you will not be at risk on a daily basis or paying back your student loans (which are nearly impossible to pay back) so you can continue your education and get a degree? That’s the question I would like somebody to answer in response in the next editorial. “I'm appalled that this is allowed to happen in the United States of America” said Jeanine. “It scares me to see what this economy is doing to the people at the bottom of the class scale.” Jeanine feels that the gap between the rich and the poor never seems to stop widening. “I think it really says something when the people of Cuba don't face the same monumental obstacles in obtaining healthcare as those in the U.S. do.”
In my humble opinion, I feel that we need a public option, meaning the people have a choice between the healthcare options that they need. I find it a huge issue that there are several people in this country without healthcare. It’s a special part of the American Dream that people deserve to have and not just privileged individuals should only have. What about the blue collar work force, those who build our bridges and build the structures to our buildings? They do a service for us by keeping America's infrastructure running with sometimes little pay; they should be some of the first to have health coverage due to the dangerous job they sometimes have.
We shouldn't be so concerned with putting more troops into the Middle East but maybe bringing them home and providing the members of our armed services with healthcare. That could be a better idea. Tell me, what do you think?