Recently I have read an article about Rick Santorum, his opposition to Obamacare, and the fact that it was the trigger for
him joining the presidential race. Rick
Santorum never ceases to amaze with his intentional, ignorant opposition to
Obamacare, a set of laws that will actually benefit his three year old
disabled daughter and many disabled children around the country. Santorum is staunchly against Obamacare, even
though it was Obamacare that will essentially force health insurance companies to
insure the disabled. I am confused on
why Santorum would be against the Obamacare reforms when his family is an
example of why this type of change is necessary within our health care
system. According to his tax return
papers, Santorum’s family still racked up about one hundred thousand dollars’
worth of medical bills even after their private insurer covered most of the
expenses for their disabled daughter.
Obviously Santorum was able to afford the payment required on these
medical bills, but what about the rest of the people that would not be able to
afford this type of payment? It would force most families in to bankruptcy. One
family that isn’t fortunate enough to have the money to cover expenses of a
disabled child is the Gourley family, whose son suffered complications while in
the womb and suffered brain damage because of it. Their son Colin needs round the clock
attention, constant treatment, therapy sessions and other costly medical expenses. These are expenses that they could barely afford, and on
top of that, his father’s new employer's insurance policy would
not cover Colin because of his disability.
The new policies within Obamacare would force insurance companies to
insure people like Colin, which I think is something that needs to be done.
People like Santorum who oppose
Obamacare and any type of governmental healthcare aid for those who cannot
afford it just sicken me. They believe
that everyone has the luxury of paying a vast amount of money to a private
insurer that is usually reluctant to provide any type of monetary assistance if
it seems it would be too costly on their part.
But isn't the point of paying for insurance to make sure
that, when you need some type of medical treatment, this insurance will
guarantee some of the cost, if not all of the cost, be taken care of? Santorum believes it is a Christian thing to
experience suffering and that is a natural part of life. While I agree that
suffering is a natural part of life, is it right to force other people to suffer because
of your unwillingness to provide them with some form of governmental
humanitarian aid through taxes?
According to WaPo Interactive International Cost Graphic, the costs for
most medical procedures within the United States are at times more than double as
compared to other countries listed on the graphic. Some of the costs are reasonable compared to what
other countries are charging, but there are other procedures such as an
appendectomy which is priced at around thirteen thousand dollars. The amount certain procedures cost within
this country is insanely high.
Another issue that I want to talk
about is Rick Santorum's stance against contraception. If Santorum had his way he would do away with
birth control and abortion because he personally believes that these things are
harmful to women, when in actuality they are more helpful. Here is where we see personal morals get
mixed in with what should be deemed right for everyone else. If Santorum believes that he can attain the
presidency by attacking the health care and contraception of the
masses then he is in for a rude awakening.
These politicians are supposed to represent the people and do what is
best for the people. Well, government or universal health care coverage is what
we need, not higher medical and
insurance bills from private corporations.
MicheleBachmann
