How I Feel

So we witnessed history this week in the form of healthcare reform. I have mixed feelings about the changes, but I thought it was important to address. This is really my only forum I feel comfortable talking about an important issue like this. Facebook is certainly not the place because I'm not interested in other people's opinions who will answer in one or two line witty replies. I dont really talk politics with anyone other than Jake and when I do I feel really uncomfortable because I feel like people judge me. Please bare with me as I go out on a limb.

I believe that change was definitely needed for our healthcare system. It seems we are one of the last wealthier nations who hasnt figured it out. While nationalizing healthcare may not be the best solution, I have had heard where it can make sense.

Last November when Jake and I were in Australia, we met a few people from London. We were on Fraser Island, a few beers deep, and our 4x4 happened to be stuck in the sand with no end in sight. So we started chatting and the topic eventually led to the differences between healthcare systems in various countries. The Londoners told us it was so great to have care no matter who you were and what you needed. The only problem comes when you need a specialist. Our new friend told us how he had injured his knee last year and it was like pulling teeth to get in and see a specialist. So there are obviously pros and cons.

I like Obama. I think his forward-thinking is refreshing and just what our government needs to light a fire under their ass. That being said, I dont think the new bill should require everyone to purchase healthcare nor should we raise taxes to pay for it. I also do not agree when Obama comes on TV and says the plan is paid for without adding to the national deficit. I saw him on the news last night saying it will be paid for in 20 years. That does not make any f@#*ing sense. How do we know what will happen in 20 years, let alone where our budget will be, especially after this financial crisis?

What I like about the plan is that those willing to pay and wanting coverage can now purchase coverage at a fair price, even if they have a pre-existing conditions. I think this is the most important aspect of the bill. This is capitalism at its best and just took a little nudge from the government to make it illegal to deny anyone coverage. This is essentially the "free" part of the bill.

I hope there is further reform because this bill is not a catch all. There are still issues to be worked out like seeing specialists, abortion rights, prescription prices and long waits to see doctors. I dont want to pretend I know it all, but my general opinion is that we need healthcare reform without paying taxes. My main reasoning behind this is that pharmaceutical companies make billions each year off ordinary Americans and they will now have 30 million more new consumers purchasing their medicine and seeing their doctors. The government officials need to step up and negotiate with these corporate giants for rates that all Americans can afford. No raising taxes, no adding to the staggering budget.

The other day I went into CVS to pick up a few toiletries and a prescription from the pharmacy. The lady ahead of me was up in arms because the pharmacist told her that her medicine was now $95 even though just last month she paid $15 for the same medicine. She was full on yelling at the clerk and I felt so sorry for him. He kept calmly telling her that they do not set the price, the insurance companies do. She stepped aside to call the insurance company, but was not happy about it to say the least. The poor clerk was so embarassed he was red in the face. I feel like this sort of thing will happen more and more with all of these changes. But my question is, why is it justified that the same exact medicine can be $15 one month and then $95 the next.

Side note: The clerk was so flustered when he was checking me out that he accidentally put the angry woman's prescription into my bag. I didnt realize it until I got home, so I called the store to see what I should do. I knew exactly whose prescription it was. Boy, was this woman fuming when I came back to the store. She was screaming at her kids, glaring at the clerk and I thought she might rip my head off if I even looked at her the wrong way. In the end, the pharmacist ended up giving me a $25 giftcard to CVS because I came back. WTH, was I going to do? Keep some drug in my house that I had no idea what it was? No. So thank you sir, for the giftcard. And thank you angry lady for teaching me a lesson in patience.

Sorry if this post completly bored you to tears, that is if you are still reading at all. I hope we can change our system for the better. If all else fails, at least people are talking about it instead of brushing it under the rug like we have the past few presidential terms.