Comprehending US Health Care Reform

Let’s ask ourselves a few questions about the new health care bill:

**Who will pay for the billions of dollars in tax increases?

**What will happen when people start dropping their existing coverage to acquire cheaper coverage?

**President Obama said after the bill was passed, “It’s time to bring this debate to a close and begin the hard work of implementing this reform properly on behalf of the American people.”  Is that possible with so many people in disagreement? How can we focus on health care reform as a whole, instead of as two sides?

**Is universal health care a part of the American dream or is it more important for each person to reap only what they sow?

**Are we focusing too much on lowering the deficit and too little on providing health care for our own citizens?

With an issue personally affecting so many millions, the passing of health care legislation in the United States is bound to stir  up intense controversy and conversation. As early as Tuesday, Obama will be signing a bill that would theoretically provide health insurance to almost all Americans, assign new taxes to wealthier citizens, and outlaw denied coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, among other things.

The personal nature of the health care issue intensifies our opinions of this bill and the changes it will create, but it seems that we should hold back our accusations and assumptions until the air has cleared. We need to understand the details and full effects of this health care reform.

An issue I see with many people, even on a day-to-day basis, is the quickness with which they form opinions. Particularly with personal issues, people tend to react according to their immediate emotions instead of ongoing logic and education. By keeping ourselves initially objective, a more valid opinion can be formed.

Before everyone starts throwing their two cents in at the same time, let’s take a day or two to understand this bill. Explore different news sources and opinions to develop a well-rounded view of this bill and how it affects American citizens of all levels of status. Discuss the topic with others and keep an open mind to the different ways people view these upcoming changes.

Today, we are striving for clarity. If you have questions about the health care bill, ASK THEM HERE! If you have an answer, SHARE IT! If you hold knowledge that might help others understand the complex health care reforms on the way, LEAVE A COMMENT!

If you have a clear idea of the bill’s potential influence and would like to leave an educated opinion, please do. But before we start incessantly debating the health care bill, we should all make sure we fully understand it.

Follow this link for an informative CNN article explaining the immediate effects of the bill as well as effects that won’t take place until 2014:

CNN.com. “How the Health Care Bill Could Affect You.”

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/03/19/interactive.health.care.benefits/index.html