More Healthcare Debate - A response to recent propaganda

Yesterday, my brother sent me a text message with a picture of OUR President with the text “Guess he can’t.” The picture also seemed to have a negative racial element to it, as well. I asked him not to send me that sort of propaganda and he began a debate. He told me that reform would kill Americans. I laughed because that is like saying the black cat is white.

I told him he needed to turn fox news off and get his facts straight. That according to a Harvard study, 44,000 people die each year because they have no health coverage. He told me that it would only benefit people who make under $30,000 a year and would cost everybody. I asked him two questions: Why are people who make less than $30,000 annually health’s less important than his? And, if he is angry about paying taxes for benefits in which he does not receive, like social security and Medicare, so important now.

I am 27 and will most likely won't see social security, He is 29. I know that people like my grandparents do benefit and I have no issue being a part of a system that helps them live. I would also not mind helping those without insurance get the coverage they need and deserve.

He then said, “Don’t be a Communist!” I am not a communist, but as car insurance is mandated to protect drivers from each other. I think there needs to be a safety net for all of the possible health care issues that could kill someone or make them bankrupt.

I wanted to remind him of when he was a teenager and needed brain surgery after numerous strokes. Had our parents not had quality medical insurance, he would not be here to debate this issue. I knew it would only fuel more pointless debate, so I said nothing.

I wanted to remind him that he has a sister with a chronic disease who has been denied health coverage for being “sick.” And that those health insurance companies willing to insure me, while I was a student, wanted more money than budgeted for rent. That I went without because it was not a financial option. I also cried myself to sleep in pain and agonized myself knowing that my body was eating itself alive and having children was becoming less and less of an option for my future, his possible nieces and nephews.

I also, but didn’t, wanted to point out that studies show those in favor for reform are either the uninsured who would benefit and those that are “intellectuals” and could see the big picture and how it would affect our society. Once again, I kept silent because he would fall into the middle and feel like I was using my education against him.

I love my brother and other members of my family and friends that do not agree with me. I am happy to hear their opinion if they will remain calm and hear mine. But too many people are buying into super conservative propaganda pushers that only seem to yell their opinions that are not backed up with legitimate facts from legitimate sources. Just because they yell the loudest does not make that nonsense true.

As I mentioned, expressing my views to my brother would fall on deaf ears, but I had to vent my opinions. Thanks for reading.

Feel free to discuss the issue, but be prepared to back up your opinions with facts from reputable sources.