The national debate over healthcare has permeated every facet of our everyday lives. Whether you hear differing views on the radio, see a commercial on television, or find the topic in the headlines of all your news outlets, you know that there is a lot of information out there to digest.
When confronted with overwhelming information, it may be easy to recline and let someone else debate the issue; but an issue as essential as healthcare affects your everyday life. The quality of your health care and the cost of it are essential things to consider when living your life. You want to ensure that you live a long, quality life.
What are the common misconceptions about health care? What is the current administration trying to do? Below, we’ve distilled the thousands of pages of arguments into some shorter points. All are worth further research and investigation, so that you may formulate your own opinion and encourage your Congressman to support you and what you need from your healthcare.
What’s Happening: The Obama administration is trying to ensure that every American receive quality healthcare by overhauling the current healthcare system. Currently, there are around 45 million uninsured Americans. Currently, the bills in Congress aim to meet these reform goals: - End discrimination for pre-existing conditions - End exorbitant out of pocket costs, deductibles, or co-pays - End cost sharing for preventative care - End dropping of coverage for seriously ill - End discrimination based on age or sex - End annual or lifetime caps on coverage - Guarantee insurance renewal How will we pay for a new healthcare system when our economy is not doing well? Neither bill that is in the House or the Senate is deficit-neutral at this time.
That means that both bills will cost the American tax payer money. President Obama has promised to not push a bill through Congress if it isn’t deficit-neutral, but will that be sacrificed in order to begin the lengthy overhaul process? If everyone has healthcare, does this mean the government chooses my healthcare plan? No. The government has commissioned research on various treatments and which work best, which are most cost effective, etc. Supporters of this type of research say that it can help doctors by providing invaluable information about how to improve care and decrease cost.
The health care bill does include a provision to continue this research. Some are worried that the US will follow the UK health care system, which is a nationalized, single-payer system. None of the bills in Congress now propose that system, and President Obama has said he does not support that system for the US, either. Your current health insurance plan will not change, unless you want it to.
Private health care will still be a viable option for those who wish to utilize it. Will money will come out of the Medicare benefits to fund the new healthcare plans? No. This assertion is downright false, as no such statement has ever been made by the Congress or the current administration. Your out of pocket costs for Medicare also would not be increased. The debate is extensive, but it does concern your welfare and the welfare of future generations. Do your part by becoming an informed party, to mobilize your voice, and attain the goals and make this America the one you want to be a part of.
