Humanitarism not Socialism

I am angry. Yesterday lawmakers finally passed Health Care Reform and today there is rioting, outrage, a lawsuit by my own state, bigotry and denial.

I don't understand. We are considered a Christian nation. The most fundamental teachings of Jesus implores us to help each other. To help the underserved, the poor, those living on the fringe. Yet it's not only the very needy who are hurt by our current health care system. Working folks suffer too. Those who work in fields that don't provide insurance coverage- waiters, gardeners, small business owners, craftsman, to name a few. People doing necessary work, in fields they love.

There are the young, recent graduates who have been removed from their parent's insurance and, in this economy, can't find jobs. There are those who reached their life cap and those with pre-existing conditions who can't get the care they need when dropped by their insurance providers. There are folks who are underinsured, unable to pay the high premiums of a better plan. So many of us, just praying we don't get sick. This list goes on and on and on.

I AM EMBARRASSED TO LIVE IN A NATION THAT HAS LOOKED THE OTHER WAY DAY AFTER DAY, YEAR AFTER YEAR. I am thankful some of the pain will be alleviated by this bill. This is called humanitarianism not socialism.

To the protesters I say- DON'T YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO IS SUFFERING DUE TO EXTRAORDINARY MEDICAL BILLS OR LACK OF INSURANCE. DON'T YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO HAS LIVED WITHOUT QUALITY OF LIFE BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T AFFORD MEDICATION. Really? Don't You?

Today, in an ordinary day at work, I visited a Health Center that provides basic reproductive and sexual health services for women and men. While waiting for the employee with whom I needed to meet, I overheard her speaking to a patient. This young women had come in for a routine annual gynecological check up. In the course of this exam, it was discovered she needs some additional tests that this clinic doesn't provide. Tears welled in her eyes when asked if she had a primary care physician. "Yes", she answered. "But I can't afford him." "I don't have insurance." She was directed to a free clinic. A clinic that will likely not offer what she needs in the way of treatment. How does it feel to be that woman? To need help and not be able to get it... in the wealthiest country in the world.

I am angry but I am also just flat bewildered. How can this be? It's incomprehensible. It's unethical. It's morally corrupt. I don't understand why any American would be against health care reform.

Though I don't believe the current bill went far enough, this is what the bill will do for you:

10 THINGS EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HEALTH CARE REFORM
1. Once reform is fully implemented, over 95% of Americans will have health insurance coverage, including 32 million who are currently uninsured.2
2. Health insurance companies will no longer be allowed to deny people coverage because of preexisting conditions—or to drop coverage when people become sick.3
3. Just like members of Congress, individuals and small businesses who can't afford to purchase insurance on their own will be able to pool together and choose from a variety of competing plans with lower premiums.4
4. Reform will cut the federal budget deficit by $138 billion over the next ten years, and a whopping $1.2 trillion in the following ten years.5
5. Health care will be more affordable for families and small businesses thanks to new tax credits, subsidies, and other assistance—paid for largely by taxing insurance companies, drug companies, and the very wealthiest Americans.6
6. Seniors on Medicare will pay less for their prescription drugs because the legislation closes the "donut hole" gap in existing coverage.7
7. By reducing health care costs for employers, reform will create or save more than 2.5 million jobs over the next decade.8
8. Medicaid will be expanded to offer health insurance coverage to an additional 16 million low-income people.9
9. Instead of losing coverage after they leave home or graduate from college, young adults will be able to remain on their families' insurance plans until age 26.10
10. Community health centers would receive an additional $11 billion, doubling the number of patients who can be treated regardless of their insurance or ability to pay.11

How In God's name is this not a good thing? If you agree, speak up and thank the legislators in your district for voting to improve the lives of Americans.

If you don't agree and have insurance coverage- you might consider why you feel so entitled when others suffer so greatly. And... if you are a Christian, you might ask for forgiveness.

VSL