The “public” option for health care reform is critical at this point in our nation’s history at a time when so many are uninsured, unable to obtain insurance (due to lack of monetary resources or health problems) and we continue to fall behind other industrialized countries in health care quality and availability to our citizens.
It is time to put yourself in your constituent’s position. Go online and apply to various health insurance companies that offer insurance in your state and see if you qualify for coverage and if you do at what cost? Is it a cost that the average wage earner could afford? Or what about the unemployed citizens – could they afford it? If you have any type of health condition, the price becomes prohibitive to the average American, if in fact the health insurance company is even willing to extend you the privilege of health insurance coverage. In most cases, coverage will not be granted no matter how much you can afford to pay. Even if you qualify now, if you develop a medical condition, you will find that your health care provider will drop your policy and you will join the ranks of the uninsured.
How can we trust American corporations to do “the right thing?” Is it not painfully obvious after the recent investment, banking and mortgage meltdowns that greed rules? Even Alan Greenspan admitted that he underestimated the power of greed. Some might say that many individuals are motivated by greed, if this is the case then it is critical that the institution of government protect the common good of all citizens and provide a “public” health insurance option that is not dominated by corporate greed!
I think the President, Senators and House Members have a moral and ethical obligation to insist on a “public” health insurance option. It appears that many politicians make a career out of being a politician which often requires that they pander to their wealthiest campaign donors rather than the citizens who elected you and who you have been entrusted to represent without bias.
You are serving at a critical time in our nation’s history and have the opportunity to make changes that will benefit the citizens of this country and the welfare of this country. Opportunities such as these are rare and as such you are called to serve your countries highest good. This is the time to take an ethical stand on what is best for all of the citizens of this country even if it threatens your ability to be re-elected. Serving in public office is an honor, not an entitlement. It is a time to use the best of your intellectual abilities, in addition to you highest moral and ethical standards, so that you can look back on your time in office and know without any shadow of a doubt that you did the best you could for not only your constituents, but for the citizens of the United States of America – that is your job! Pandering to the lobbyist of wealthy and influential campaign donors besmirches the honor of your position and potentially compromises your ability to serve honestly without bias. Your responsibilities lie with the citizens of this country, not its wealthy institutions.
Without adequate health care the innovation and productivity of our country will suffer greatly and health care costs will continue to spiral out of control as citizens will be denied access to health care insurance at affordable rates and more citizens will be unable to pay for health care services. We have seen when patients cannot afford health care services, the healthcare resources of our nation become further stretched and in the end we all end up paying!
In a well used phrase, “there but for the grace of God go I” we all (with the exception of the wealthiest) could face financial ruin and bankruptcy when confronted with a job loss or health crisis. I think it is easy for politicians to forget that they have the privilege of accessing the “best” America’s health care system has to offer whereas the majority of their continents do not.
