The Big news in the United States recently was the passage in the House of Representatives of the Health Reform Bill. It was considered a great victory for US President Barrack Obama who recently had focused the attention of his government to this task from the time he took office in January 2009. It would be recalled that former President Clinton, through the efforts of then First Lady Hillary Clinton also attempted a health reform in the United States but failed to carry it out at the time when the Democratic Party was also in power.
At the beginning of the Obama Administration there was considerable optimism that the bill would be ratified but that hope sort of blurred with the overwhelming rejection posed by the rightists ably supported by corporate power, especially insurance companies.
The public debate stirred by this bill was tremendous. Members of the media took sides and unpleasant languages were exchanged. There were personality attacks on both sides and the Republican Party was unanimous in its objection. Even some members of the Democratic Party started to disagree and had their own interests expressed. The bill was revised so many times to incorporate wishes of different groups. The President traveled to those states where opposition to the bill was very strong to calm the population, explain provisions that were objected to, negotiate with changes and try to satisfy the leaders who lead the oppositions.
Many times during the year, the possibility of the bill being passed was very dim. The situation was worsened when Senator Ted Kennedy, one of the foremost supporters of the bill died. He was replaced by a Republican who swore that he would be a barrier to the passage of the bill.
So it was indeed a great moment for those who would profit from the passage of this bill, when it finally got passed with a very narrow margin. Thirty million Americans without health insurance will be beneficiaries of this health reform law. One of its most important provisions is that health insurance companies cannot deny coverage to applicants with pre-existing conditions. Children with asthma and other diseases that did not receive medical care before will now be covered. Those with low income will be subsidized in order to be able to have health insurance.
Most Canadians take universal health care for granted. Every permanent resident has a health card that he keeps with his social insurance card. Even medication is covered to some extent according to income. New immigrants to the country get their health cards after several months in the country. Surgeries that can cost thousands of dollars are performed on patients without their expense if they are health card holders.
Why then did the United States considered the most powerful country in the world take a long time in passing a health reform bill that extends benefits to low-income members of its population?
The response may be inferred to a statement issued by former candidate for vice president Sarah Palin, after the bill was passed. IT had something to do from preventing the United States from becoming a socialist country. The idea of sharing the wealth of the well-to-do with the have-nots in society is socialistic. The United States is a capitalistic country. It is a progressive, industrial nation wherein the majority live a comfortable life through their own hard work physical or mental or whatever. It is a place wherein penniless individuals through creative and sustained efforts have become millionaires. Opposition is strong to this project that would benefit 32 million people, almost as many as the population of the whole of Canada. And yet, that 32 million is only one tenth of the whole population of the United States, truly a minority number.
One out of ten Americans will profit from the new health reform law. It is not certain yet how many of the 90 percent have incomes that will have deductions to subsidize the 10% in need. The objection comes from the financial giants who will dole considerable amounts of their incomes to support these needy people. But these financial powers should pause and try to understand that while the majority of the American population have the capacity to achieve the American dream, there are also the vulnerable members who, due to lack of mental capacity, psychological and other medical illnesses, lack of opportunities, social inequalities and other barriers may not be able to cope with their health and other problems without the assistance from the more capable.
The present health care reform as approved by the US Congress does not guarantee universal health care. It will take several more years before that would be achieved. That is, if the provisions in this present health care law really take effect and is not further eroded by changes the opposition wishes to make or as some lawmakers said, that it would later on be repealed.
The United States prides itself in being the bulwark of democracy, with a government by the people of the people and for the people. Universal health care is in consonance with the principles of democracy. Extending health care to every resident is in consonance with the freedoms provided for in the US Constitutions not just for the majority, but for all.
The United States of America has been looked up to as the greatest power in the world, in war and in peace. It exudes considerable influence in politics as well as in industry. It leads in assisting nations in crisis. But its greatest achievement that makes it a wonderful country is its success in fighting its own weaknesses. It was able to eradicate slavery. It was able to get rid of segregation between the Whites and the Blacks; it rose to see a Black member of its country elected President. And now, to the opposition of powerful forces in its midst it was able to pass a health reform bill into law. ***