Health Care Reform

Now that Congress has passed its version of a new Health plan the debate will get even hotter as the bill moves through the Senate for deliberation over the coming weeks. Different and alternative amendments will be shared and arguments about them will be had. Undoubtedly the debate between democrats and republicans, between liberals and conservatives will be contentious. But often lost in that debate is a failure to acknowledge that the present health care system is broken at best, exclusionary and cost prohibitive. Insurance premiums for small businesses increase at the rate of 10 to 15% annually. People with preexisting conditions are denied coverage or forced to pay excessive and unaffordable monthly premiums to maintain coverage. And over eight million children in America don't have any health insurance at all. What about those who are our future leaders? It's estimated that 45,000 people die every year because they have no health insurance. That make no sense. Insurance companies can't continue to make excessive profits at the expense of the American people. Those who argue for a public insurance option would say that we need choices. But what we really need right now is the support of the everyone for the best possible health care plan we can get through the Senate. We need to rally around those who are fighting for universal coverage and for some form of a public option that is strong enough to serve as a viable choice to an American public that otherwise doesn't have one. But a health plan won't be passed by the Senate without the support of all of us. So march in the streets, write and express yourself on the Internet and in newspapers and magazines and let your voice be heard. President Obama can't do it alone.