Each passing day its harder and harder to turn on the radio, television or flip open the morning paper without hearing or reading something about health care reform. Its the issue of the day and probably the most important to the future of the Republic.
Sadly though the "Party of No" Republicans have kicked, screamed, bitched and moaned until they are dangerously close to actually getting it their way. I am not sure where the Presidents backbone is vacationing, but I'll be happy to see it return. It looks like it may be on its way back with his encouraging of an "Up or Down" vote on health care reform by congress.
Such a vote is long overdue. Its time this country saw the line in the sand and on which side our representatives are when it comes to that line. Polls show the majority of Americans approve of reform and the public option, which is no doubt necessary for real reform.
A health care bill without the Public Option is like finding a cure that is worse than the disease. It makes no sense. There are many reason why a public option does make sense though:
Most importantly it will make sure EVERYONE is insured. A basic necessity that, for some reason America, specifically Conservatives in America find it necessary to withhold from those who can't afford it.
A public option will force private insurance companies to compete with the power of the government. Prices will come down, and they will no longer be able to charge insane premiums or deny coverage.
It also gives power to consumers who can walk away from insurance companies that do not pay out, deny coverage, or excessively increase their premiums. It will give Americans a sense of ownership of health care. It will no longer be a privilege of the rich, but an affordable part of everyone's life and a comfort in times of crisis.
With a public option, drug prices will come down due to the government's ability to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies. It will prevent people from going bankrupt because of excessive medical bills. According to the National Coalition on Health Care, "62 percent of all bankruptcies filed in 2007 were linked to medical expenses. Of those who filed for bankruptcy, nearly 80 percent had health insurance."
A public plan will have significantly lower overheads than a private plan. The government won't need to market their plan, and they don't need to make a profit from it. Therefore, the the consumer reaps the savings. It will save small businesses huge amounts of money and allow them to raise wages, increase vacation time and take better care of their employees.
Perhaps the most important reasons of all are: After a few years, it will prove Republicans totally and utterly wrong about socialized medical care and as a result Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Sarah Palin will have very visible and hilarious meltdowns.
The plan is there, the Pubic Option isn't an option at all...it is necessity. America only needs our President to find the backbone he had while touting reform on the campaign trail. The numbers and the logic are on his side. Its time the loud, unruly voices of the minority were silenced and reform and progress were allowed to take over.
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