Monday, March 22, 2010

thoughts on health care.

A comment on facebook sparked quite the discussion. My response here:

I will begin by saying that I do not under any circumstance believe this plan to be unflawed. It has its downsides, and they are not to be ignored, but I don't know that there is a perfect plan out there. Is there a bill congress has tried to pass in the last 10 years that doesn't have its up and downsides? That being said, I do believe there are good things to come, and I am referring only to health care. We'll leave abortion and immigration out right now.

I have several close friends and members of my LDS ward who will greatly benefit from this bill being passed. They can not afford health care- and are in a position that this will be a great blessing to them. With unemployment rates what they are today, one can't count on employment benefits to cover their health needs. Even if we are fortunate to be employed right now, that does not automatically come with fantastic health benefits. With the rising cost of privatized health care, very few in my financial situation will be able to afford private coverage for their families in another 10 years. I, for one, am not currently covered under an employer's group policy and hold private one for myself, despite the fact that my husband has a great job. I am grateful to be able to afford it right now, but I know many who are not as fortunate.

Another school of thought is "why health care, anyway?" Why not just let our bodies take their natural course and heal with natural remedies as our ancestors did? I'm actually a huge fan of this idea and do not frequent the doctor more than I deem absolutely necessary, but for those who are of a different school of thought, they ought to have the option. They ought to be able to receive the medical treatment they desire and not be turned away because they don't fall into the top financial bracket of folks who can afford great health service.

Again, I know there are financial downsides, ones that will most definitely affect our children, but may I venture to say that the current system will leave them paying a different price. With an issue as complicated as this (a 2400-page document!) there is not an easy solution, there is just one that will inevitable be great for some and crappy for others. It's a bummer if you have been getting the good end of the deal until now, but it's someone else's turn.

A friend, who wished not to get involved in the facebook conversation, sent this:

I'm sorry to see that you guys are getting attacked likes this on FB. I am not a supporter of the health bill, but that is my opinion. Every one has the right to their own opinion and for people to tell you that you are wrong and to be rude about it is just not right. In fact if I am not mistaken, our great county was built on the fact that people don't have to believe the same as you. It just makes me sad to see two great people treated this way.

While I appreciate the support, I appreciate the open mind more. The fact that it's ok that we feel differently on certain issues, but can be respectful about it, rather than attacking. We come from different backgrounds and have had different experiences that that have shaped our opinions. I appreciate those who can see that.

My family is in a unique situation being exempt from this health care bill, seeing as Native Americans are not required to participate. I do not fall into that category, but my children will have access to affordable, if not free, health care for life, if they choose to use it. We have not, this far, gone that route, but I'm grateful we have the option and I'm grateful that because of this bill others will have the same option... access to affordable health care.

I also believe that I've got people watching over me and my family. I know that we will be protected and receive whatever experiences we are supposed to have in this life. I believe that whole-heartedly. I believe that if we are living the principles of the Gospel, that we are entitled to incredible blessings. I have seen that come to pass and regardless of who the president is of this nation and the decisions he makes, there is a higher power that I answer to. And He and I are ok.

17 comments:

Kendall and Shelly Burr. said...

I can't believe the vitriol that is going around in emails and facebook. I personally, and very grateful that Kaitlyn will now have the option of being self-employed in the future and not have to worry about her pre-existing condition. I also understand that some people don't want big government, but to attach such hateful language to their beliefs, is really bothering me. I don't see a whole lot of motives to reforming healthcare than the hope of providing care for those who cannot, and helping those in need. Whether you agree with the government getting their hands in this or not, you can't think they are doing this to get more votes. Also, it seems that not a lot of people, left or right, like the bill, which to me shows that it is a pretty good middle ground. Just my 2 cents. :)

Sandi said...

I am staying out of the face book brew ha-ha (or however it is spelled), but I will say one thing. For those so radically opposed to abortion because they value the life of a fetus, what do they say to the fact that this bill (while flawed) will provide natal care for women who want to carry a baby full term and cannot because they don't have insurance to care for them during this vital time of a human's life. My daughter-in-law is bless to have insurance, however, if she fell into the catagory of those who are without it for financial reasons, she would not have given us two beautiful, intelligent granddaughters.

Sandi said...

One more thing...
If I were a legislator and the hatred that went on last night came out about a bill. I would tend to change my vote so as not to support such hatred. There is no place for it here.

Deirdre Eagar said...

Isn't the weather beautiful today!! I love spring in PHX!!

The Silly Witch said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

wow, you're hosting quite the argument over on fb. i applaud you for voicing your opinion and for *calmly* responding to others. i stared at the computer for a long time debating whether to voice my own opinions, but was discouraged by the intense anger and hatred coming through.
Anyway, Cheers to you! Happy Spring to you and your family :)

The Hunt's said...

Holy. Cannoli. Good calm response Sister. I find it unfortunate that what could be a healthy political discussion, sharing concerns, advocating, and personal stories, so often turns into a battle to convince everyone else in the discussion that you're right and therefore they are wrong. Nobody is right and nobody is wrong. There has never been a bill go through Congress that wasn't flawed at some level. There will always be some that benefit and others that won't. Perhaps the discussion could center on the beautiful fact that we have the freedom to exercise our voice, that if you're opinion means that much to you, you have the opportunity to let your Congressman or Woman know. It would be interesting to conduct a study of the number of people with weighty opinions that have actually done that. Let's all go kiss our children, play outside where the sun is shining and bombs aren't falling and then feed them a meal on a table that is bountiful.

The Hunt's said...

PS-I just love the little blond white boy on the roller coaster. I love most of all that he doesn't even know he's a little blond white boy. I also love Senny and Bex's cheeks, as always.

The Kelly Variety said...

The weather in Idaho is beautiful too!

Cammi said...

well cousin. i only have a few thoughts, as you know i live in Canada but am also a US citizen so i like to keep up on some issues going on down there every now and then. :)
It used to be people complaining all the time about the prices of healthcare, its too expensive for hospital visits, ambulance rides, etc, etc. I feel like this is the first step to help silence those concerns. I am writing this on here so i can talk to you Amberley and not start a debate with some people on fb I dont know. And again, I do not live in the country and only know the articles I have chosen to read, but I do not think you guys are clueless. I think you are right. This is a good thing, its a step anyways, does it have its downfalls, probably. Doesn't everything? Coming from the land of 'free healthcare' this seems like the first step. What else is being done?!

Joni said...

I was to afraid to comment on fb. haha. I am for the health care, and I have been looking forward to it for a long time. Like Katelyn and Cammi said, i know it's flawed and we still have a ways to go, but I want to be able to go to the doctor and not be scared of the cost. I honestly haven't been to the doctor since I was 18 just because I don't have the extra money for it. How sad is that? I cannot wait for the day when I can afford to be able to take care of my health and not break the bank.

Unknown said...

I'm no longer on FB so I wasn't aware of the craziness going on. I have always respected your ability to respond calmly to those who become too emotion/personal in their attempts to get people to see it their way. I enjoy discussing things with you since you are able to explain your point of view in a calm, intelligent fashion.

Patria said...

oh my- i should start a facebook account to check out the crazy! (: i don't understand people who get so negative and have such difficulty considering a viewpoint different from their own...I can't be around people like that. I'm sorry they're rearing their ugly heads on your posts! I am definitely in favor of healthcare reform and can't even begin to list all the reasons why... people get so hung up on corrupt government- totally forgetting how corrupt private organizations are...especially profit making healthcare companies. Laissez -faire capitalism can be a scary, scary thing. People complain so hatefully about paying taxes. On April 15th I don't feel angry, I feel blessed to live in a country with water, roads, libraries, countless helpful programs, the list is endless. Such a small fraction of our taxes goes to welfare type programs- why are people so stingy? What are they doing to help? All those private non-profits, non-government organizations and clinics who do so much great work? Yes, they rely on government contracts. It always baffles me that some of the most hateful outcries against funding for programs serving the poor are members of the church. I find it compelling that the mission of the church was just amended to add one of our most pivotal teachings...caring for those in need. Healthcare bills aren't perfect, but what the hec is in life?

kimmalee said...

I agree with you Amberly. I get so frustrated when I think about the problems with health care in our country and I don't love this bill but I honestly can't think of a perfect solution. I don't have any idea what I would propose instead. Something needs to be done and at least this is a step. There are flaws like you said, but something needed to be done. We're lucky enough to have fantastic insurance through Glenn's school right now and with the last year we've had with our health we would literally be in debt forever if we didn't have insurance. We've been incredibly lucky. So many others aren't. Many of our friends and family. It only takes one medical issue that requires treatment to really put people under if they aren't insured. Leaving other issues aside, I'm glad that something is being done. Of course it's not perfect but something needs to change so that people who have situations like ours in the past year and who don't have insurance, don't have to be financially devastated for the rest of their lives.

Kristi said...

I left a comment on FB, too, but wanted to comment here, too. On behalf of those who cannot express themselves civilly in a kind manner like you I apologize. No matter which side of the fence you sit on, or if you sitting on it, there is no excuse to be disrespectful and rude of other people's opinions. It's just sad. Although I am seriousy concerned about the bill, I would love to hear a "healthy" debate or thoughts on it just once without so much negativity from either side.

Thanks for always being calm - at least on here - and being willing to share your thoughts and opinions in a respectful and helpful way. It is people like you that will be more influential in decision making than those that are just angry.

Kristi said...

I left a comment on FB, too, but wanted to comment here, too. On behalf of those who cannot express themselves civilly in a kind manner like you I apologize. No matter which side of the fence you sit on, or if you sitting on it, there is no excuse to be disrespectful and rude of other people's opinions. It's just sad. Although I am seriousy concerned about the bill, I would love to hear a "healthy" debate or thoughts on it just once without so much negativity from either side.

Thanks for always being calm - at least on here - and being willing to share your thoughts and opinions in a respectful and helpful way. It is people like you that will be more influential in decision making than those that are just angry.

Nancy said...

like i said on facebook, i agree with you guys. and props for 1. not being scared to voice your opinion, and 2. dealing with the uproar so calmly. i'm not sure i can do #2 and so i never do #1. at least, on facebook.