Keeping Our Representatives Responsible with Healthcare

While growing up, most of us were repeatedly told that the only dumb question is the one that isn't asked; however, if this logic still holds true, then as Americans, we've been asking a lot of dumb questions. It seems like, no matter which outlet we choose, be it through television, news radio, or the Internet, we can't help but be bombarded with news about the healthcare bills currently being debated in Congress. With every new article/report that is released, we are told that these pieces of legislation either go too far or not far enough, but one key point where all these writings agree is that something must be done now. Apparently, the sky is going to fall and America will fall into abysmal chaos if healthcare in this country isn't immediately reformed. Honestly, is it just me or does this "call to action" sound a little too similar to what we were told before the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (a.k.a. the stimulus plan) was passed? Unfortunately, the majority of the American people have allowed themselves to become scared to the point where they are unwilling to ask questions, without questions, we become victims of the law, instead of participating in it. Considering this, one would think that a bill with such far-reaching goals would merit and even require closer examination by the people who stand to be effected by this the most.

To begin with, in order to silence those who would detract from my statements, I would like to state that I too firmly believe that our healthcare system is in dire need of reform. Nobody in this country should be made to suffer with a debilitating disease/affliction caused by something that is easily treatable. The elderly, who have relentlessly toiled and sacrificed so much in order to build this country into the prosperous nation that it is today, do not deserve the uncertainty of unreliable healthcare and the degradation of having to choose between healthcare and basic necessities. For my part, I'm not supporting or attempting to undermine any particular piece of legislation; moreover, I'm simply attempting to inform the American people and cause them to question those who represent us in Washington.

So, that being said, let's look at and question just a few of the particulars of the healthcare bill in the House of Representatives (since it is the most evolved of all the bills currently being discussed). Again, these are not editorial slants or views, they are simply what the bill itself states. Below are a few selections:

1. The healthcare bill/plan isn't even set to take effect until 2013. If this is such an urgent issue, why are we waiting another four years?

2. Section 440 of the bill deals with home visitation programs for children. Do you want the government to instruct you on how best to raise your children?

3. Subtitle E., sections 141 and 142 deal with the establishment of a Health Choices Commissioner, a non-elected Presidential appointment who will through the direction of a committee determine the meaning of "basic healthcare coverage," what will and won't be covered, and how people will purchase insurance. Much like HMOs of the past, does anyone really feel safe by putting their health into the hands of one political appointee?

4. Section 401 states that individuals without health insurance will be fined in order to coax them into joining the government plan. So, regardless of how you feel about the plan, if you don't have insurance, you'll be forced to accept it.

5. The Congressional Budget Office estimate that this slightly-over-a-trillion dollar plan will only produce a $239 billion deficit. The funding will come from new taxes, penalties, and cuts in Medicare and Medicaid funding, which are cautiously optimistic estimates at best; therefore, the real cost will probably be higher.

6. According to multiple parts of Section 102, individuals will not be able to purchase ANY private plans outside of the yet-to-be-created Health Exchanges; moreover, insurers are not allowed to offer any new plans or change existing plans to meet public demands, if the bill becomes law.

7. In Section 1173A- specifically page 59 at the bottom, the government is permitting itself access to individuals' bank accounts for automatic electronic fund transfers to pay for healthcare costs.

With a current size of over 1,000 pages, be sure that these aren't the only changes that we will be encountering. It's definitely no overstatement to say that this bill has the potential to influence every aspect of our lives, yet, as those who will be affected by and expected to pay for this legislation, we seem unwittingly content to simply resign ourselves to whatever happens. Frankly, I think it is time that we as American citizens confront our representatives in Washington about what they are doing as well as what votes they are casting as our representatives. So, I implore you to contact your Congressional representatives; tell them how you feel about these issues and also ask them how they feel about these issues. Most importantly, ask them how they are voting on this bill. If you don't feel that they are willing to listen to your point of view and vote according to what you, their constituent, wants, then perhaps you should reconsider your vote the next time they are seeking re-election.