Universal Health Care

Since I have been living in Florida for six months each year I feel in tune with the politics of the region.Other than the war issues and partisan politics the one hot button is health care reform.For all my years in and out of politics I am daily amazed at the tone of this debate.

Since I grew up in a country where universal health has been a reality and accepted standard for all, this American debate staggers my sensibility.Such an issue should be above party politics but a line has been drawn in th sand and I am afraid that the end result will be far from acceptable. Besides the Republican and Democrat rhetoric there is an ugly intervention by vested interests in a billion dollar industry. These corporations are the health services providers who give service for profit.

Make no mistake that there are huge amounts of wealth to be gleaned on the backs of the sick and needy.These corporations stand to lose a large share of these profits if health care as presented by the president is incorporated in a new health reform bill. These firms are investing large amounts of money trying to scare the public about reform. There are so many outright lies and misrepresentations about this issue it will be impossible for the ordinary citizen to arrive at a good decision.

Those people fortunate enough to have halth care paid by their employer feel no need for reform. Those people who are rich enough to buy good health care do not wish change. The poor and uninsured are the 30 or 40 percent who need to be included in some form of universal coverage.

Money is an issue as welthy people do not wish to pay for the coverage of the uninsured. Selfish, yes but a strong force against reform. Canadians have had this health care for generations and it is not perfect and it is expensive. Canadians have a collective feeling that everyone has the right to health care no matter what station in life he finds himself in. There are no waiting lines that are life threatening.Personally I and my family have been the recipents of the national health system and it has never failed us or any family member.

Lets hope the powers that be are able to rise above this ugly mess when it comes to providing what I call a right. Universal Health Care.