What Will the Debate Over Universal Healthcare Look Like in 2009?

Had the Internet been as mainstream in the early 1990s as it is today, Americans would be far more educated on the issue of Universal Healthcare. Of course, most Americans are aware that the issue of Universal Healthcare was championed during Bill Clinton's first term in office by First Lady Hillary Clinton. And that the issue was ultimately defeated. However, in 2009, thanks largely to the Internet, the debate over Universal Healthcare will finally get the attention it has long deserved, and will most likely prove to be the hottest topic of debate among Americans across this nation.

What is Universal Healthcare? Universal Healthcare is healthcare coverage extended to each and every citizen of a nation. There are many myths surrounding the idea of Universal Healthcare and some of those myths led to its defeat in the 1990s. Opponents of Universal Healthcare regularly label it as "socialized medicine." Indeed, some Universal Healthcare programs include government-managed healthcare systems, but many nations use a hybrid of public and private systems to deliver healthcare for all of their citizens. The Universal Healthcare program currently proposed by the presumptive Democratic Presidential Nominee, Barack Obama, is one such hybrid.

The United States remains the only wealthy, industrialized nation that does not provide Universal Healthcare for its citizens. The first Universal Healthcare system was established sixty years ago in the United Kingdom, and today most developed nations (and many developing nations) provide their citizens with Universal Healthcare.

Currently, 47 million U.S. citizens are without healthcare insurance, including 9 million children. With a new administration moving into the White House, never has this country more urgently needed to engage in the Universal Healthcare debate. Even if the Republicans (who are generally opposed to Universal Healthcare) hold onto the presidency, it is predicted by many experts that the Democrats (who are largely in favor of universal health coverage) will have a veto-proof majority in Congress in 2009. And thus, Americans will undoubtedly be engaged all year in this historic debate.

And this debate will rage most fiercely on the Internet. Not only among bloggers, but in forums and among producers on sites such as Associated Content. Proponents of Universal Healthcare will cite the benefits of affordable coverage and guaranteed eligibility for all, while opponents will compare the proposal to some less favorable programs in Europe.

Whether you are for or against Universal Healthcare, or are still undecided, you can look forward to learning about the issue and taking part in heated discussions on the Internet in 2009.