The Road to Health Care Reform

I very rarely blog about politics and political issues (with the exception of DC Mayor Adrian Fenty and School Chancellor Michelle Rhee) but this debate on Heath Care Reform really bothers me.

Today, someone tweeted that 16% of Americans are without health insurance.  I questioned that statistic but turns out it is equal to 46 MILLION people.  That's incredible!  It's sad to think we live in America and so many of us are not covered by health insurance.  I've been to third world countries and you could expect that from those societies, but here that just doesn't make any sense.  How did this happen and why has it been going on for so long?

The main argument I hear is people think by creating universal healthcare they are going to lose their own premium coverage or that they'll be paying for other people.  While that may be partially true, that's the way of the world.  We pay taxes don't we?  I'm young, single and don't have children but my taxes pay for education, welfare, social security and a number of other benefits that I'm not eligible to receive but I'm not complaining.

I have friends who have jobs but may be working in temporary positions or doing contract work here and there and they don't have insurance.  I'm always worried about what if something happens to them.  It's not their fault they don't have insurance and premiums are too high for them to be able to afford them without having an employer who's willing to subsidize it.

When will the Powers-that-be come together and pass Health Care Reform?  Are we really that selfish and greedy?  People shouldn't be living in poverty and without health insurance in America of all places.  Something has to be done.