Let me clarify...

After reading a friend's blog on healthcare...I feel that I should clarify a bit. It is obvious that I do not agree with this deal overall, BUT I won't deny there wouldn't be parts of it that would benefit a lot of people. I can't imagine not having health insurance because of a pre-existing illness. No one can control some disease or prevent them I should say...there is a reason that St. Jude is huge in this area of Memphis. (and if a family can't pay, then they don't...that particular organization is amazing). On another note...are insurance companies without any blame? Of course not. Every type of company needs accountability. I truly do understand that some type of reform is needed...
Outside of being a doctor or healthcare professional...I am fortunate to get a great glimpse into the healthcare world because of my profession. So here it comes...
BUT- there is so much more to this whole issue than just doing away with preexisting illnesses, raising the age of dependents from 21 to mid 20's...some of this could be done without a 2,000 page bill. Let's face it...people thrive off of competition, and so do companies. As of now, if your personal doctor doesn't make the cut...all you have to do is go to the competition. That is one of the answers to the insurance company issue...make them compete. In theory, competition would lower prices and allow people to choose what kind of insurance they want.
The way I understand this reform bill that will probably be put into law:
If your employer doesn't offer health insurance they will have to pay a fine...which means if they don't offer it, you will HAVE to pay for it. I know a good bit of working Americans that truly could not afford to do this, several of them work in the healthcare industry (one I spoke with today). I heard an estimation that the average family of 4 would pay about $15,000 a year. If that is remotely accurate...who could do that?
Oh yeah, if you don't pay the fine for not having healthcare...you go to jail. (As if those are not overcrowded as it is).
Then you go back to the abortion issue...even if you are pro-choice, surely you don't think it is right for taxpayers to pay for that. Yes, Obama supposedly said he would sign an executive order to exclude that...but they said it wasn't in there anyway (I know that's what my representative said at the town hall meeting) Yet, in the letter I got later from my representative, it said abortion was included in the instance of rape, incest, or the health of the woman. Hmmm, what exactly is health of the woman? That could be any reason both physically and/or mentally...and although being put in any of those situations would be terrible, none of us should have to pay for something that is morally wrong to so many.
Sorry this is so long...although there are some good things being said out there about healthcare reform, there is so much more behind the good. Am I saying it will destroy us now....no, but if our government is not held accountable...this could be the beginning of a slide toward something terrible. Just ask those who have come to the US from other countries in search of quality healthcare...quality being the key word there!
So I am curious as to where this is eventually headed...when employers decide to take the fine instead of spending all of the money to cover insurance for employees...and the employees can't pay for insurance on their own (keep in mind, it isn't any insurance...the government will have certain requirements for the type of insurance whether you think you need it or not) what then? what happens when people can't afford this new healthcare...hmmm, do you think the public option will come back in to play then? You can't out rule it...no one knows yet, but it is easy to see how it is possible.
I know this issue will forever be controversal, but please let me know what you think whether you agree or not!