Healthcare Reform's Impact on the Average Joe

Healthcare reform sounds wonderful. Who doesn't want their fellow American to be able to receive the healthcare he or she needs? Certainly, no one can argue with the fact that healthcare costs are too high for the average American to pay; with or without insurance.

In an effort to remedy the situation, Congress is attempting to pass a bill that would guarantee that every American have access to affordable healthcare. Democrats have lobbied hard for a public option to be included in the bill, as well as for regulations requiring that every American purchase some form of health insurance or face a penalty. Republicans and other conservatives have argued against a public option in the bill on the basis that the American Government is already too far in debt to be able to afford a public option and on the basis that the United States is still a capitalist society. Conservatives also take issue with the idea that this bill attempts to force supposedly free individuals into purchasing health coverage that they may or may not be able to afford, or worse, that they may simply not want.

So how will all this affect the average Joe taxpayer? I guess that depends on who you are. If you are among the poorest in our country and are below the poverty level, then you will have "free" coverage; well at least free-to-you coverage. If you are amongst the richest I our great nation, you likely don't have a problem covering your healthcare expenses. Unfortunately for those who fall in between the rich and the poor, we will be the people hurt by this bill.

If you have a family of four and make more than $32,000 annually, then you will not qualify for free healthcare. If you have any assets at all, then you will have to liquidate those resources before you qualify for free healthcare. Chances are that on $32,000 per year, you will not be able to afford to purchase private coverage. And, if you are like my family, you do not want public healthcare. Where does that leave you? The only option that's left is for you to pay a fine that you likely cannot afford either. How is that helpful?

Those of us opposed to healthcare reform have been labeled cruel and uncaring. The fact of the matter is that we do care about our fellow American. However, we see the flaws in our government and are leery of trusting the government to handle such a large task.

It's falsely assumed that those opposed to healthcare reform are rich, white republicans. The truth of the matter is that there are a good many of us who are low-income, but who are also educated enough to see that the healthcare bill as it stands will do more harm than good. In short, the public option is no option for millions of hard-working Americans.