It looks like the health care reform bill is going to pass and it’s about effing time. I’m watching/listening to the live stream of the health care reform debate on C-SPAN right now–Pelosi has the floor, wrapping up a long day of speechifying and mudslinging.
For the Republicans who continue to bash the bill, STFU already. You keep saying that “Americans” don’t want this bill. Know what? I’m an American. And I want health reform.
Here are just a few reasons why:
- I have MS. (duh)
- My really expensive disease-modifying drugs are not covered on my employer’s prescription plan. Luckily, the drug manufacturer has provided my medication to me for free for the last two years. My time in that program is up in April, though, and I’m hoping they’ll reinstate me because my employer’s health plan still doesn’t cover my drugs.
- MRIs and other tests I have to get once a year to monitor whether the drugs are working/my MS has progressed, are really expensive. My employer’s plan only pays for 80% of those costs. I am in debt to some bank I’ve never heard of because the hospital only offers a three-month payment plan.
- Under the current health care and health insurance system, I would not be able to obtain health coverage on an individual plan because I have a pre-existing condition. Someday I might like to leave my job for something better. That might include being a freelance consultant, or working for a start-up with an uncertain future. So I’m stuck in my current job unless something really, really stable comes along.
I know those are pretty personal, self-serving reasons, but my health is personal. (And as long as I’m with my current employer, reasons 2 and 3 probably won’t change anyway.)
I really want to be able to say that our country cares more about its people than money and profit. So far, that hasn’t appeared to be the case. It’s really disheartening to see all those tea baggers, Sarah Palins and Glenn Becks spreading lies and hateful rhetoric, claiming that they speak for the “American people.”
Maybe the vast majority of the American people have been lucky enough to avoid illness, unemployment and crippling debt caused by a family health crisis, but I doubt it. While we can say that everyone probably knows someone with MS, we can also say that we know someone who’s struggled with health costs, has been denied or lost individual coverage for some reason or has needed emergency care they couldn’t pay for. Living in Seattle, it’s no surprise that I’ve been to more than one benefit show for uninsured musicians who’ve found themselves in the hospital with no way to pay for it.
So, it is truly a historic day for our country. No, the bill isn’t perfect, but it’s a much-needed step in the right direction.
However, I am disappointed that President Obama compromised with non-uterus-having Bart Stupak on federal dollars being used for abortions in order to secure his vote. Last time I checked, abortion is still legal in this country.
