VivirLatino

Well, the weekend brought us some mixed good news. The good news seems to be that the US will soon have a health care bill that will make affordable health care a reality for all.

The bad news is, is that it’s just not true.

I am still trying to unpack everything that is being said about this health care bill, but it’s been difficult work as it seems that every hour another change is taking place. But the essentials seem to be most accurately described here at Fire Dog Lake.

Some of the more points that are not making me happy:

3) Individual Mandate

The individual mandate, which uses the IRS to force people to buy a product from a poorly regulated, private industry, is an affront to the American people.

4) Abortion

This bill is a massive rollback of a woman’s right to choose. It would take away the abortion coverage of millions of Americans. The system of exchanges and affordability tax credits could easily be modified to ensure federal funds are not used to pay for abortions, while still not taking away the ability of women and small businesses to buy insurance packages that cover abortion.

6) Immigration

Under this almost-law, undocumented immigrants would not be allowed to buy insurance on the new exchanges, even if they are willing to pay the full cost of the insurance with their own money.

I am rebelling against this legislation. I am trying very hard not to. I am trying to believe and listen when various news outlets tell me that this is some of the most life changing world changing legislation–as if it is a positive thing. I’m not going to go on a massive rant quite yet, as I know that a lot can happen in even the one week it is estimated that it will take to get the Senate to apply all their changes.

But…I’m am worried. And a bit scared. How many people do I know who can’t afford health insurance–even “affordable” health insurance that they get vouchers on? I know people (and was one of those people for a long time) that couldn’t even afford to go to the community clinic where they had a sliding scale fee chart because even the bottommost fee (15$) was too much for me.

Forcing poor people to buy health insurance that isn’t even going to cover them when there are surprises (abortion) is little more than a cruel joke to me. Penalizing those same people for not having health insurance (even “affordable” insurance) when that insurance isn’t going to cover them during times they need it most is nothing short of criminal.

But–it’s seems to be a wait and see game at this time. Wait and see, wait and see. How badly will we all be screwed over?