Socialized Medicine?

By the time I came home last night the healthcare bill had passed in the House by a vote of 219 to 212. Was I shocked? Yes. Am I upset that it passed? I can't tell at this point. There are definitely pros and cons to each side of the healthcare debate, but it is important to know the basics before you begin to judge the bill itself.

The taboo public option was not part of the bill that just passed in Congress, which was a major reason why the Republicans opposed healthcare in the first place. What the bill did include was that most Americans will now be required to have health insurance or be forced to pay a fine.

"Well, I'm all for lowering my insurance premiums, insuring more people, and more emphasis on women's health. So, I'm for it," said Katie Gaughran, a 25 year old resident of Brooklyn, New York. "I think it should have included a public option, but as is, I think it has the potential to do a lot of good, and I'm not really sure why everyone is freaking out about it."

Personal out-of-pocket expenses will now be capped, and insurance companies will no longer be allowed to deny people coverage due to pre-existing conditions.

This plan is costing roughly $940 billion and is said to extend health insurance to 32 million Americans who are currently without insurance.

"It [healthcare bill] was shoved so far down the American publics throat that our colons hurt," said Michael Lembo, a 21 year old senior from Stony Brook University.

The positives of this bill, on paper, are massive. There is just one thing we all need to remember, this is a $940 billion bill that is now going to be implemented during a recession. Does this fact make me cynical? Of course it does.

But, I will not let my cynicism get the best of me. I am willing to give this bill a chance, and am willing to wait to see if it truly does change the pace and course of the corrupt insurance companies that presently drive the healthcare industry in this country.

"It's being cast as a Democratic victory, but as a liberal, to me it is the other side that won. Huge majorities in both chambers and we can't get universal healthcare? Can't get public option?" said Michael Heinz, a 20 year old resident of East Setauket, New York.

Before everyone starts screaming and wailing over this bill, they need to realize that the bill needs to be implemented first. The implementation is key, because remember, communism looked great on paper, but once implemented, changed the course of the world in an awful way.

(Image courtesy of www.jupitarimages.com)