As I watched the proceedings that led to the passing of the Health Care Bill in the House of Representatives, I couldn’t help but think about the World Wide Sports famous line, “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” There were political winners and losers but my concern turned to the consumer, the citizen, the average and above-average American. What does it mean for us?
The “thrill of victory” reflects the first step forward, in a long battle, for decency and humanity in the lives of “we the people.” The next hurdle is passing the Senate. So did your Representatives speak in your voice Saturday night? We’ve learned that oftentimes “doing the right thing” in the name of the people is a struggle. But nothing worth anything is easy, right? Well, that’s what those, who aren’t willing to give up power, usually teach and tell us.
Now ladies, can we talk? Don’t start cheering yet because in the same breath, we’ve been saddled with a stupid amendment aka Stupak Amendment that denies you funding for your Supreme Court reproductive right to an abortion. Can you separate your religious beliefs from your reproductive rights? If belief trumps rights then religion serves to take away your choices in the name of God. Adding insult to injury, if you exercise that constitutional right, you are financially on your own. But here’s the kicker; we are told this is what the majority of women support.
Overall, yes, we have moved forward but at what cost? To put this health care bill into perspective, we must keep in mind that for millions of Americans currently surviving without healthcare, this is still a promise for coverage in the coming years; four to be exact. Just make sure you don’t get sick before 2015.
