History was made on March 21, 2010. This was the first time a major bill was passed without any bipartisan support. This means that only one party voted for the bill in this case it passed with no republican votes. The only bipartisan support for this health care reform bill was against it. The Democrats passed this health care bill with 60 votes.
This bill has many advantages. One of the advantages is that the new health care reform bill allows citizens with pre-existing conditions to get health insurance and not be discriminated against. Another advantage is that kids can stay on their parent’s insurance plan until their 26th birthday. This health care plan will make insurance more affordable by providing the largest middle class tax break in history. Another advantage is that this bill will give Americans the same choices of health insurance as the members of Congress.
Even though this bill has many advantages it also has many disadvantages. One of the disadvantages is that if you don’t purchase insurance by the year 2014 you will have to pay an annual fine of $695. Another is that companies with 50 or more employees will have to provide health insurance or they will have to pay a fine of $2,000 per worker. Another one is the doctors will lose money by treating Medicaid patients.
Many Americans are upset because of this new health care system. They don’t like the fact that doctors will start refusing to treat Medicaid patients. Many citizens are afraid that this health care reform plan will turn into a “two-tiered” system where only the rich will get to see the best doctors. They are also scared that the quality of the care will be affected. They are also upset by the fact that they are being forced to get health insurance and if they don’t get it they have to pay a fine.
I personally believe that this health care reform plan is unconstitutional because this is the first time that the government is forcing every American to do something against their will. Another thing I don’t like is that no one is telling the citizens what is in the new bill and all they can talk about is how great it is. I believe that this is an opening to taking more choices and freedom away from the citizens. I also don’t like the fact that they are going to raise taxes on anything that is labeled unhealthy.
Sources:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/Issues/health-Care
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20000846-503544.html
http://health.blog.foxnews.com/2010/03/29/what-does-health-care-reform-mean-for-patients/
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