Senate committee made step in right direction
After raging on for the past few months, the health care debate passed a major hurdle this week.
A majority of students do not care about politics, but health care reform is one students should pay close attention to because it will determine how, or if, students will be able to get coverage later in life.
The Senate Finance Committee passed the health care bill Tuesday by a vote of 14-9. The passage of this legislation is being called historic by many.
"Is this bill all that I would want? Far from it. But when history calls, history calls," said Maine Republican Olympia Snowe, the only Republican on the committee who voted for the legislation.
The bill would help provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending.
Most view the bill as a middle-of-the-road attempt to get health care coverage for Americans. There are still several key components to the bill yet to be resolved, including whether health care will be run through a government-run health insurer, known as the "public option."
President Barack Obama has said the health care reform will cost $829 billion over the next ten years, leading to criticism from Republicans. However, the Congressional Budget Office estimated the health care bill will shave nearly $81 billion off the national deficit over the next decade.
The bill will be addressed by the full Senate beginning Oct. 26. It is imperative the bill gets passed into law.
Senators and representatives in Washington need to do whatever it takes to get this bill passed. Students should do the same; this bill will undoubtedly have a major impact on students’ lives. Under the current health care system, coverage can be obtained one of two ways. Insurance agents can provide coverage for individuals or families who qualify per the insurer’s standards, or insurance can be achieved through group insurance, which is typically provided by a large employer.
The plaque at the base of the Statue of Liberty reads in part: "‘Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses...’" We, as a country have extended an invitation to the tired and the poor, so how could we possibly exclude them in an issue so important as health care. Coverage needs to be provided to all, not just those who meet the qualifications.
It may have a hefty price tag attached, but it’s insane to put a price on good health.
