Healthcare Reform Memo by RTR

First, I’d like to start out by saying that everyone just needs to relax. Everyone getting all out of control and yelling and generally making jerks of themselves doesn’t solve anything. Take a chill pill, and listen to what Obama has to say. You don’t have to like what he’s saying; but at least try to understand why he’s saying it. 

Now that that’s out of the way, I’d like to say that I love the bill that was passed by the House. I think it represents a great step forward in the quest to get all Americans affordably covered.

The United States is the wealthiest nation in the history of time. We have the largest economy on the planet, and our per capita GDP is in the top ten worldwide. Yet somehow, our healthcare costs are two and a half times more than the next most expensive country. Not only that, we’re the only westernized country without universal healthcare.

While I would personally like to see universal healthcare at some point in the future, I see this bill as a necessary compromise given America’s political landscape. Republicans don’t see it that way. They see the proposed “public option”  (which is just a small part of the overall plan) in the bill as socialistic, and as something that would drive insurance companies out of business. This is not the case. It’s there to ensure people who would otherwise go without insurance are minimally covered, at a relatively low rate, by a government agency. That part’s important, because they won’t be funded by any part of the government, but by billing their subscribers. Sounds more capitalistic than socialistic to me.

President Obama proposed a “marketplace” for insurance providers to come together to allow small businesses and individuals to purchase insurance at a group rate, making it more affordable to them without using the public option! How that will drive State Farm and Geico out of business is beyond me.

Another area of concern has been whether or not this plan would be extended to illegal immigrants. The answer is no. Illegal immigrants, who don’t have social security numbers by the way, won’t even be able to complete the paperwork.

The argument against the health bill that troubles me the most is that “Americans don’t need another entitlement program.” This goes back to my earlier point. This is America! Why shouldn’t we be entitled to something as absolutely essential as affordable healthcare? Are these people really arguing against Americans having access to affordable healthcare, a more efficient Medicare, a properly regulated insurance industry and more money in their pockets? Because that’s what it sounds like to me.

I’m not even going to touch death panels (if you seriously believed this one, you’re a moron).

This is a bill that is long overdue. Recently, the Senate Finance Committee said that they’re going to pass their version of the bill soon, regardless of Republican support. You know what? Good riddance. If all the Republicans are capable of doing is throwing tea parties and dragging their feet while not offering a viable alternative, then they don’t have a right to complain. Thank you Congressional Democrats for doing the right thing with this bill.

Here is President Obama’s speech from the other night. Have a look for yourself if you don’t believe me.

Born and raised in Las Cruces, NM, Ryan comes from a strong Democratic family that is active in New Mexico politics. He is a recent graduate from the University of New Mexico's Anderson School of Management. He plans to continue investing into the communities that made him who he is today and sharing his perspective on politics, pop culture and other curiosities. You may contact him at rtr@newmexicopolitico.org.