Should America's Health Care Reform Bill Be Supported or Opposed?

Washington, DC- On July 14, 2009, H.R. 3200, otherwise known as "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009" or the Health Care Reform Bill, was presented to the House of Representatives. Since its introduction, it has become a hot topic of discussion both on the liberal and conservative fronts. In its entirety, the bill spans 1017 pages, is divided into several sections and subsections and covers a variety of topics. According to its purpose, found on page 1, H.R. 3200 is to "provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes."

In the United States, before a bill becomes a law it must be ratified by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. A concern of some Americans is that some of those voting on it may not have read it in its entirety. While many agree that health care reform is necessary, the disagreements come with the specifics of this bill. Some advocates, such as Rep. Lloyd Doggett, concur that H.R. 3200 is not a perfect plan but that it is worth putting into place. Opponents, such as Rep. Lamar Smith, believe the plan will allow the United States government to wield too much control and effectively take over the private health care industry.

President Barack Obama states, "Comprehensive health care reform can no longer wait." He not only supports the bill but, according to some, is using his influence to try to quickly push it through. The Administration has said that it wants a health care bill passed in both the House and the Senate by the end of the year. This raises certain concerns, particularly to those who are not sold on all the aspects of H.R. 3200. Even proponents of the bill admit that while it would not, in its current state, ensure every American receives quality affordable health care equal to the current entitlements of U. S. Senators, it should be passed with the understanding that it could be amended later. Opponents feel this is not an option, as there is no guarantee it would be amended and would simple create more problems for the American people.

This is not the first time health care reform has been at the top of an American president's agenda. In the Clinton era, he put his wife, Hillary, in charge of health care reform. However, their efforts were unsuccessful. Still, former President Bill Clinton backs health care reform and believes any opposition is based on partisan politics. Hillary Clinton, now Secretary of State in the Obama Administration, while not as outspoken as she was in years past, does support H.R. 3200.

Rep. Smith sees the bill as an attempt of the Obama Administration to put another portion of the U. S. economy under government control. At town hall meetings around the country, concerned citizens are speaking out and echoing his concerns. Smith says approximately 83% of his constituents oppose the bill. Dr. William H. Fleming III, president of the Texas Medical Association, believes that while the current health care system is less than perfect, H.R. 3200 is not the answer. Opposing arguments range from too much government control to the cost of the bill to the contents of it.

Enacting the bill, as is, would increase the federal budget deficit by more than $200 billion over the next decade according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Per Douglas Elmendorf, director of the CBO, passage of H.R. 3200 would have "some effect" on reducing premiums for people in the individual insurance market, he expressed doubt that the existing bill would result in lower insurance premiums for workers with group health plans. Elmendorf confirmed that the proposed plan would make health care in America more costly than ever.

Then there are the issues with the bill itself. Concerns over Medicare, patient's rights and privacy issues are just a few of the hot button issues being debated.

Could it be that the Health Care Reform bill itself simply needs reform? Or should it be abandoned altogether?