The US Debate on Health Care
Since the forming of the United States of America, the responsibility of healthcare has been left up to individuals, and the cost of healthcare in low income families has been largely paid for by US tax payers. The recent Obama administration has begun to stir things up a bit with a new reform that will change the face of health care in the US. As a result there has been a long running private vs public healthcare debate in America. Some people feel the reform is long over due and will help people in the US, while others feel that it is a violation of civil rights, as well as a direct contradiction to the US constitution. The majority of people who are in a higher social standing, or have a higher level of income, as well as those who have excellent existing health care coverage do not seem to be as apposed to the reform as people in lower income brackets who will have to pay a higher tax, or become covered under a health insurance plan, independently.
The problem with the reform is that it is making it necessary to be covered under some sort of insurance plan, when currently about 40% of the American population is not. This means that people who have enjoyed not having to pay for healthcare will need to begin doing so by the year 2014. Some people argue that forcing people, in the “free world” to purchase health care plans is a violation of the independence American’s have been enjoying since 1776. They feel they should have the right t0 continue to choose. Other schools of thought are that the American tax player has carried the burden for too long in individuals who have not been able to pay for health care. These people are looking forward to the burden being shifted in a more personalized manner. Whether or not the reform will be a positive thing for the people of the US remains to be seen, and all of the details and benefits will not be fully realized until the full reform is in effect.
