The United States House of Representatives passed its version of the health care bill Saturday night by a 220-215 vote.
The legislation, dubbed "The Affordable Health Care for America Act," would make it illegal for insurance providers to deny medical coverage due to preexisting condition, or charge higher premiums based on medical history, while providing subsidies to those who cannot afford health insurance; bringing coverage to 96 percent of Americans.
The bill will move on to the Senate for amendment and approval.
If passed, which seems unlikely in the face of stiff Republican and independent opposition, the two bills will go before congressional committee to be melded into a single bill.
That version of the bill will then go back through both chambers before signed into law by President Barack Obama.
The likelihood of that entire process transpiring while maintaining all of those original provisions seems even more unlikely.
Especially considering the current mood of the American public.
After being met by overwhelming support last spring, Rasmussen Reports show that support for comprehensive health reform has stayed between 41-46 percent since July, as many feel a strong disconnect between what such reform claims to offer and what will ultimately transpire (in the form of higher taxes or misuse of the system).
As college journalists, the prospect of graduating college and working a job without guaranteed health coverage is daunting.
But that’s the reality for millions of others in this country, living on low wages and unable to pay high insurance premiums.
America’s Health Insurance Plans study found that average monthly premiums for single coverage exceed $500 in many states. West Virginia, which is below the national average, has an average of $211 per month.
Faced with rent or a new mortgage, car payments, utilities, food and other bills, paying hundreds of dollars per month to maintain health coverage seems of secondary importance for many young workers and recent graduates.
This practice inevitably leads to more shameful trips to the emergency room (footed by taxpayer dollars) and ultimately poorer health outcomes.
For us, a low cost public option to compete with private industry and reduce costs seems appealing.
Unfortunately, most don’t feel the same regarding health reform.
Regardless of the slow-moving political process, the fluid desires of the American public, or even the added cost to American taxpayers, the debate boils down to a single question: Is health care a right?
The rest of the advanced world thinks so.
And millions will continue to suffer in this country until America does, as well.
15 comments
Beyond that, I'm amazed by people who claim that their tax dollars shouldn't have to go toward health insurance for these so-called 'poor' people, but realistically a lot of people working full-time out there do pay taxes which go to pay for the insurance of those worse off than them, when they can't afford it for themselves. The stereotypical 'poor' that everyone loves to talk about do have some government health care options such as Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and various low-income adult insurance programs. If you're really that 'poor' then assistance is there. A significant portion of the individuals without health insurance fall in the mid-to-lower end of the middle class spectrum. We don't think of people making $25-50k/year as 'poor', but particularly if they have a family to support, their budget can be extremely tight. Lessening the gap between the poor and the wealthy isn't socialism- it's a matter of basic human decency. Miraculously, we have this fabulous opportunity to ensure that every American has affordable access to basic health care and insurance while the stratification remains firmly intact.