NATIONAL Health Care reform took a huge step forward last week but appears it’ll take two steps back.
President Barack Obama’s number one agenda in the first year of his presidency is to overhaul the nation’s health care system and it took a big step forward when the House of Representatives passed a version of the bill last weekend.
In a 220 to 215 vote, the Democratic-controlled House voted to pass the health-care reform bill.
The bill would require most Americans to carry insurance and employers to cover their employees.
"The Affordable Health Care for America Act is a piece of legislation that will provide stability and security for Americans who have insurance; quality, affordable options for those who don’t; and bring down the cost of health care for families, businesses, and our government, while strengthening the financial health of Medicare," said Obama in a statement. "It is legislation that is fully paid for and it will reduce our long-term federal deficit."
The health care reform bill now heads to the Senate where it faces many obstacles.
According to the many national reports, some Senate leaders plan to filibuster the bill and others will go against it.
Obama is confident the Senate version of the health reform bill will get the 60 required votes to pass.
"I’m equally convinced that on the day that we gather here at the White House and I sign comprehensive health insurance reform legislation into law, they’ll be able to join their House colleagues and say that this was their finest moment in public service -- the moment we delivered change we promised to the American people and did something to leave this country stronger than we found it," said Obama.
Fil-Am reaction
President of Philippine Medical Association of Nevada Dr. Benito Calderon said health reform is a good idea in general as it brings affordable health care to everyone and it eliminates denial.
"It will help because everyone is going to have insurance, whether from private or public sources. The only concern that physicians have is the public option," Calderon said to the Asian Journal. "This option means there will be a government-run insurance company. This institution might have some impact on the quality of healthcare. They will have the power to dictate what kind of treatment or medication to give to the patient. There will be no incentive for research. Innovation stops.
"But as of now we cannot do anything anymore except wait and see the final version and then hope and pray that it works," he added. n
( Published November 11, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p A1 )
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