Young Dems hold health forum

Following its presentation of a documentary examining the merits of universal health care, the West Virginia University Young Democrats opened the floor for audience members to voice their own opinions.

Most of those taking advantage of the forum only voiced their support of the film, Michael Moore's Academy Award nominated documentary "Sicko", but Young Democrats President Erin Beck noted this is not necessarily indicative of the overall University or community opinion.

"I don't want to generalize all Republicans together, but opinionated people may have already known what they thought about this movie and wouldn't have wanted to sit through it to get to the soapbox part at the end," she said.

One student who viewed the movie voiced a dissenting opinion.

Mark Kenamond, a freshman chemical engineering major, urged the assembly to realize that considerations must be made regarding the cost and breadth of health care reform, noting that Americans should not consider all change "good change."

"The government doesn't necessarily need to pay for all our needs," Kenamond said. "Everybody needs food, health care, shelter. Does the government need to pay for these things? No, I don't think so."

Kenamond added that if a citizen had a serious ailment and could not afford the coverage needed, he does believe the government should work with them to help with costs of health care.

Raymond Keller, a Vietnam veteran who, as a veteran, receives government health care, voiced his support of public health care, saying if the care he received is "any indication of what government health care can be, then I'm for it."

A public health care option would benefit the system as a whole, Keller said, citing the large number of under-insured individuals crowding United States' hospital emergency rooms as evidence of a needed overhaul.

"A public health plan with some emphasis on prevention and public health, I think, would be a big step forward for our country," he said.

"Sicko" looks at the United States' health care system from the view of patients, health care professionals and people within insurance companies, documenting the system's progression throughout American history. It then compares the systems for health care in the United States and countries with universal health care policies.

The movie takes a sarcastic look at the alternative standpoint, mocking those who argue against "socialist medicine."

The views expressed in the film are not necessarily the views of the Young Democrats, according to Beck, though the group does "think (Moore) got a lot of things right."

Following the film and discussion, Beck urged audience members to contact state representatives expressing support for the pubic health care option.