Sep 10 2009
The Public Option
For your consideration…
President Obama gave a speech tonight in front of Congress which was televised to the American public in an effort to further explain what is called “The Public Option.” The public option is a reform bill for government sponsered health care coverage. Personally, I believe that our country is desperate for some sort of health care reform. I don’t know that President Obama’s bill is perfect and will solve all our problems. However, I am encouraged that the government is seeking to improve our health care system. Many are conserned about their personal financial cost. Some are blessed with good enough health so that they don’t have to worry about the cost of monthly doctor’s visits and perscriptions. Others, myself included, must depend on our health insurance in order to pay for expensive treatments and medications. It is important for everyone to try and understand and empathize with those who are less fortunate. Currently, our health insurance companies can spontaniously choose to deny or completely terminate coverage when their customer becomes extremely ill. This would be like getting into a car wreck and then the car insurance company deciding not to pay. Sometimes we should do things without thinking about “what’s in it for me?”. Sometimes it is emparitive to look past profits, convenience, and the bottom line. Sometimes we just need to do things because it is the morally and ethically right thing to do. It is wrong for people to have to die from curable illnesses. It is wrong to force those who have become ill to lose everything they own due to expensive medical bills. Our government is supposed to be in our best interest. It is in the best interest of America to have healthy citizens. Healthy people can work harder, be more productive, and be less distracted by the stress that illness causes. It is time for Americans to stop being selfish and lend a hand to their fellow man. When Jesus provided food, drink, protected from the flood, restored vision, rescued from the fire, interviened in the lion’s den, he never asked to be repayed. He never said who to make the check out to. He did these things out of love and kindness. We are all God’s children and we are all called to be generous and loving people. America uses God when it is convenient for them, “in God we trust,” “one nation under God.” America has got swept away with words like “capitalism” and “freedom.” It is far past the time when America should stop hiding from God through its politics and start working to take care of all our brothers and sisters.
