Facing the facts of Obama's health plan
Julianne Malveaux/NNPA Columnist
Issue date: 8/23/09 Section: Cover
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There are some Americans who honestly oppose a government role in providing health care, some who dishonestly (like former Gov. Sarah Palin) have twisted provisions to end up with "death panels" that do not exist but frighten many people, and some who have no problem with health care, per se, but have jumped in on this one as a way of pouncing on a weakness they perceive in the Obama Administration.
They don't dislike health care, they dislike President Barack Obama. They see blood in the water and so, like the sharks they are, they are going after it.
Here's the evidence - the discussion is shrill and uncivil. It is long on emotion and short on facts. I hesitate to say that there is a racial element in this opposition because those who oppose national health insurance were pretty nasty when the Clintons were attempting to implement those policies (remember Harry and Louise?).
Still, I never thought a debate about health insurance could turn so vituperative, and in sleepy August, too. While politics is the art of compromise, President Obama and his team should hold the line on health insurance. It is an essential part of economic recovery and economic vitality. How many people file bankruptcy because, uninsured, they have encountered health care bills for an unplanned illness? How many allow small illnesses to become large ones because they can't get to a doctor? We know there are 50 million uninsured adults and children. What kind of productivity drain exists because people don't have the health insurance they need?
After being battered by the astroturf organizations playing at real opposition, President Obama seems ready to step back and perhaps abandon the idea of giving Americans the option of government-run insurance. This represents capitulation on a key point, preserves the so-called free market forces that Republicans want, and postpones the reckoning that must take place about health care until a future time when another leader (or perhaps this one in a second term) is able to deal with comprehensive reform.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 9
dennisintn
posted 8/24/09 @ 4:32 PM EST
gov. palin reached the same conclusion a lot of us totally unknown readers did, and she had the guts to bring the information forward to the general public. (Continued…)
Brad Phelps
posted 8/24/09 @ 8:41 PM EST
I am neither Republican nor Democrat. The only notice of a town-hall meeting I received was from my congressman. I am not part of a conspiracy. I went for the first time in my life to something like this because I am deeply concerned over this government's out-of-control spending and its expanding roll in our day-to-day lives. (Continued…)
John Smith
posted 8/24/09 @ 10:48 PM EST
where did the 50 million Americans come from....that number was 40...then 46,,,,and now 50....and are they all Americans....i don't think so....
wtf are you talking about. (Continued…)
hsr0601
posted 8/25/09 @ 1:26 AM EST
The contents of savings (below) in this reform 'have nothing to do with' limit to medical access, rationing, tax raise, and deficit etc.
Rather, without wiping out these wastes and roots of bankruptcy for middle class, all fronts are sure to face larger financial ruin than this recession, which leads to more limit to medical access, more rationing, more tax raise, and more deficit etc than today. (Continued…)
hsr0601
posted 8/25/09 @ 10:54 PM EST
Theme : 6 Main Lies Have Nothing To Do With This Promising Reform.
1. The contents of savings (below) in this reform 'have nothing to do with' limit to medical access, rationing, tax raise, and deficit etc. (Continued…)
john
posted 9/15/09 @ 1:23 AM EST
the fact is there is too many of our fellow americans that do not have health care & they need it. Socialism alone will not accomplish this nor will capitalism. (Continued…)
insurance tip
posted 2/02/10 @ 6:18 AM EST
the fact remains that there are too many americans without some sort of health insurance to help them get health care. Obama's health plan is helping those who can't get health insurance and making the private companies that only think and about profits to give more people a choice and competition for insurance quotes. (Continued…)
Find Insurance
posted 3/10/10 @ 7:24 PM EST
I think your right about that Obama's plan needs to be passed. Its not fair that it isnt.
brebdonera
posted 3/22/10 @ 3:48 PM EST
This article is amazing. I?m going to spend so much time procrastinating on here. I?m not quite sure if I should be thanking you, or cursing you
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