Healthcare Reform Legislation

I remember how anxious I was when I lost my health insurance as a result of job loss in 2008. My employer at that time had suggested me to enroll in Cobra (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). At first I thought I could have made it. Later, I realized it was simply an illusion, for Cobra was more expensive than my previous insurance's company. So I had to pray more, and look for the closest emergency room in case something happens to me or to my loves one. Hope glimmered in my minds when Democrats started talking about healthcare reform, and the signing of the healthcare bill into law on March 23, 2010 would be a significant step toward healthcare reform in the United States of America. However, the fiery debate over this piece of legislation generates nothing more than rhetoric, harsh words on both sides, and confusion. Hence the average citizen -except for lobbyists, special interest groups and politicians, is still looking for more information about it.

Questions that need to be answered

From what I heard so far I have more questions than answers. Is it really a move to socialize the United States of America? Does the government want to take over the health care industry to dismantle the healthcare industry? What is true about expanding health care to more than 32 million Americans who lack it? Will the health care law decrease the federal deficits by an estimated $ 143 billion over a decade or will it indebt the country? Who is telling the truth? Who is misleading? Is there miscommunication, misunderstandings, or misinformation? Who can adequately and objectively answer those questions?

What would I gain out of the healthcare reform?

Although the healthcare's legislation is said to be "beneficial to low income families who cannot afford the cost of insurance", I will not be able to explain the benefits I could gain out of it unless information about its substance supersedes political wrangling. I want to know what would happen if States continue to challenge parts of the law before U.S. Courts on the basis of unconstitutionality? Will payers be in trouble if they cannot continue to pay for their health insurance while unemployed? Thus, as of March 25, 2010, I welcome that piece of law with skepticism, awaiting further explanation from the administration.

At closing

I firmly believe that healthcare reform should not be about its cost, but regarding its possibility to protect payers and insurers. Everyone must focus on provisions aim to fix a broken system that left behind vulnerable folks, including more than 8.6 millions children who lack insurance coverage. If the $ 938 billion dollars healthcare price tag over 10 years could save at least one life, we will say in the end, "amici, non diem perditi".