West Virginia's Healthcare Crisis

In our system of government that provides for the basic rights and freedoms of humans around the world, how can we justify the absence of the presence of these same rights in West Virginia? The need to establish a universal, compulsory system of federal healthcare in the mountain state is paramount. Soaring costs and ineffective politics on both the national and state fronts have caused a great deal of turmoil within our beloved state. Far too many households face the undue heartache of choosing between paying bills or feeding the family. The opportunity to push solid healthcare legislation through has come with this recent historic presidential election. Both as mountaineers and as citizens of these United States, we have an unyielding civic duty to assure that every citizen is provided with the most basic of essential life services. As a society, we are ready for dramatic reform in Washington and in Charleston. Our opportunity is now, the choice is ours, and the burden lies upon us.

The consequences of our idleness are exemplified in the grief-ridden eyes of forty-seven million fellow Americans. The daily struggle to provide for those whom we love and cherish is mounting with the second. We must not become complacent, accepting, or patient. The heavy hearts of women and children from Maine to Oregon should be the motivation to proceed with utmost determination to reform the current lackluster system of healthcare. As a movement, we should dispose of the toils of bureaucracy and provide real solutions to our problems. The game is not won by sitting on the sidelines while others entertain us with their trite attempts to reform ancient legislation. Instead, as educated individuals we must be cognizant of the challenges that embed themselves into the process of revitalization and face the odds with unprecedented action.

An hour's time is best spent providing relief to those around us who so desperately need it. We have not a second to spare as we challenge the pundits, fiscal conservatives, and bureaucracy that have hindered all previous attempts to bring real aid to out state. The coming years will bring winds of change to West Virginia if we will only allow the storm to occur. Without sweeping action, nothing is possible. However, with smart decision-making, compassionate leadership, and determined legislators, the sky is the limit for prosperity in the mountain state.

Our image as a state is one of both admirations and shortcomings. As a generation, we will bring the respect and honor to our state that is long overdue with the passage of universal healthcare. Every second spent in this great land brings additional instances of the abounding joy, fellowship, and compassion that sprout from the seeds of our farmers and the mouths of our executives. We are a people deserving of a brighter future and with careful action and skillful tactics, we can and will bring suitable healthcare to the mountain state.