I have always been fascinated by this word: Commonwealth. It seems so patently fair. Wikipedia defines "commonwealth" as '"a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically it has been synonomous with "republic". 'www.Wikipedia.com. Tonight, as many of us follow the historic vote on health care, the word commonwealth keeps popping up in my mind. For all the debate, and civil and uncivil discourse, is the end result for the common good? I think so. The bill is not perfect, but it reflects an attempt to right a flaw in our system. Many of our citizens can work full time or more, and yet not have health insurance, because their employers cannot afford it. They are caught in a web, not of their making.
Most of us grew up with basic health care. If our parents worked a full time job, there was health insurance. It may not have covered anywhere near the number of diagnostic tests available today, but it was a safety net. If you had a hospitalization, you didn't have to declare bankruptcy. Our for profit health care system has encouraged great innovation and huge advances in surgery and therapies. I certainly applaud it for these improvements. The costs, however, for these innovations are huge, and passed along in the national health care bill. Those who have health care issues want no expense spared, as is understandable. Those without insurance simply have to do without. Is this fair in our republic?
Our national health care bill is one of the highest among industrialized nations, yet a large percentage of our population has no coverage. Is this any way to run a health care system? Let's face it. If your child with no insurance has a car accident (God forbid), he or she will be treated in an emergency room, whether or not they have insurance. Our doctors will not turn anyone away and we, the taxpayers, will pick up the tab, as we always have. I'm sure there is room for improvement, and cost savings that can help more Americans find health care. Let's give this bill a chance. If there are problems with it, they can be solved. We are Americans. We can do anything. This is what my parents, immigrants from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, taught me. I believe it with all my heart.
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