Health care is now an American right

[babylonsister]

Health care is now an American right


March 23, 2010

We are in this together. That's the spirit that moved President Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and every Democrat who voted "yes" in the House Sunday for the historic bill that will soon make health care affordable for almost every American.

We are in this together.

We know that sounds insufferably schmaltzy to many, with its echoes of soft-headed dreamers singing "Kumbaya." But that has always been the matter at the heart of this century-long national debate over health care: how much do we give a damn about each other.

We are a nation of individualists. Our abiding metaphor, even now, is the self-sufficient pioneer mending his own fences, minding his own business. When we help a neighbor, we do so because we want to, not because some government law says we must. We leave the socialism to the Swedes.

But we have always been more wrapped up in each other's business than we care to admit. We have always accepted that there is an important place for government in creating the safety net and passing out the basic tools of competition that make individualism and capitalism more fair and humane. Every child deserves an education. Every poor person deserves a roof over his head. Every man or woman willing to work deserves a job. Every elderly person deserves a secure old age.

And now we can add affordable health care to that short list of fundamental rights for all Americans.

Rights. Not privileges.

more...

http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2116898,CST-EDT-edit23.article

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

1. Unless you can't afford your deductable or copays.

"Affordable"... it's a relative term.

[Tansy_Gold]

2. +1 -- Absolutely

Maybe this will be in true in 4 years, when The Plan actually takes effect, but my rights haven't changed at all right now. No insurance, can't afford health care. And I'm actually better off than a lot of people.


TG

[havocmom]

3. I can actually afford my co-pays. Still can't get a primary care physican

Next available appointment: August

Insurance Company Care is not health care.

[bigwillq]

7. Under what plan would you be able

to get an earlier appointment? Isn't the problem too many people and not enough doctors, nurses, clinics,etc?
I have the same problem with my doctor, and I've had him for years. Seems like he has too many patients.

[havocmom]

14. Yep, not enough doctors. So many retired rather than deal with insurance company rules any longer

Seems younger doctors coming into practice mostly work for large corporate clinics, which also require they rush from person to person at a rate which makes HEALTH CARE pretty damned unlikely

[bigwillq]

16. Yup, that's what I thought.

That's just the reality of the current health care climate. Now, would single-payer make this any better, or worse? I've heard conflicting reports. It just seems to me that no matter what kind of reform we get, there's always going to be more people needing care than the amount of doctors that can give that care.

[havocmom]

17. Single payer = less red tape, less clerical work, single set of rules

And I have heard lots of doctors say/write that would make practicing medicine worthwhile and possible again

[bigwillq]

18. Cool.

Thanks for the info. I did hear those would be some of the positives.

[mikelgb]

4. health INSURANCE has become a MANDATE

care and rights?

who are you fucking kidding!

You can't pass this shit and claim it is what we always wanted... fuck nearly all agree that is was a fucking flawed bill that will need a lot of work. But with this shit and the coming media blitz of "get over it" it will never be touched again.

[alc]

5. health insurance is now a mandate and nothing in the bill

to guarantee affordable health care. There are many provisions that will likely help millions of people, but nothing will change for a large majority of the country.

[Bluenorthwest]

6. A right is not a thing one has to purchase

Rights are, as our founding documents say, inalienable and God given. They are not bought and sold for profit. Does the author of this delusional piece actually think all Americans have homes and jobs by some form of right? When 20% of my county is unemployed, hearing that jobs are a fundamental right makes fundamental rights seem tawdry and worthless.
And of course, like the rest of the bigot scribes, this author rambles on about a law that discriminates openly against millions of American families as being about 'all Americans'. Disgusting self interest, lack of compassion, and a desire to see her neighbors treated as second class citizens, while declaring 'rights for all Americans'. It is just insulting. Is this OP really suggesting that some of us are not 'real Americans' ala Palin? Because this law discriminates. It also leaves 15 millions uninsured. One hell of a long way from 'All Americans'.
By all we mean most, by right we mean invoice, by roof we mean appliance box, by job we mean military service. By families, of course, we mean yours, but not mine. So good for you.

[Nite Owl]

8. If you have money

to pay for it!
This bill codifies the divisions of American society, the haves have, the don't haves still don't have. The copays and deductibles are outrageous and the mandate is purely for the enhancement of the system we have now that doesn't work--unless you have $$$$.

[Arkansas Granny]

9. Mandatory health insurance coverage does not necessarily equate to health care.

Paying health insurance premiums doesn't mean that you can afford the deductibles and co-pays that allow you to receive the health care you need.

[no limit]

10. No offense but this is utter bullcrap, totally dishonest

this bill did not make healthcare a right, far from it. Millions of middle class Americans will not be able to afford the mendates.

[Autumn]

11. Buying insurance is now an American right.

While I am grateful that the bill provides some health care for the poor and indigent,and supposedly does not allow them to turn you down for pre-existing conditions, by no means is it Health Care. If you can afford the premium, deductibles and co-pays, then you have health care, if not you have the American right, and obligation to purchase health insurance. But I guess half a loaf is better than none.:shrug:

[Bluenorthwest]

12. How much do you pay for your other rights?

I bet I could outbid for your freedom of speech, just to put an end to the drive by postings of hyperbole. So what are you paying these days for freedom of speech? Keeping up with the premiums on your other rights?
Crock of steaming clams this is.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

13. You got it backwards - American insurance companies have a right to customers. (n/t)

[craigmatic]

15. not a right it's more of a responsibility the way buying car insurence is