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Point-Counterpoint: Is the House of Representatives doing the right reform to health care?
Andy Kruse and Ian Bezek
Issue date: 11/10/09 Section: Opinion
Anti-health care reform a selfish mindset
By Andy Kruse
Last weekend, the House passed a bill to reform health care. This is a positive shift, as the anti-health care reform mentality has become a selfish and maladaptive way of thought.
Arguments against health care reform say that taxes will rise and our quality of care will go down, both of which point to selfish motives.
If my taxes go up to help others stay healthier, I'm happy to support it, to make society stronger and more viable.
My personal choice in health care will not be removed, even if I have to wait slightly longer to receive care.
A very important aspect that those opposed to health care reform seem to not realize is that there is always more to the story behind one's condition than meets the eye.
For example, African-Americans show a higher rate of hypertension and heart disease, thus a lower life expectancy. This isn't due necessarily to lifestyle and certainly isn't due to their biology, but studies show that long term exposure to discrimination can have long term effects on our physiological processes such as blood pressure that lead to poor health.
Even before we are born, the story of our health begins. If our mother is malnourished, we acquire an extra thrifty metabolism that maximizes any nourishment provided to us in the womb. This stays with us after we are born. So if we then receive adequate nutrients, our body capitalizes on it as if we were still malnourished, therefore giving us weight problems and even diabetes.
Poverty and poor health are often not the fault of people these conditions afflict, but many people fail to realize this. Those of us who have access to affordable care have a moral responsibility to help others reach it as well.
Is health care a right or is it a privilege? With our advanced technology and ability to reach so many, health care should be a right; a right that will lead to the better well-being and our ultimate survival as a people.
By Andy Kruse
Last weekend, the House passed a bill to reform health care. This is a positive shift, as the anti-health care reform mentality has become a selfish and maladaptive way of thought.
Arguments against health care reform say that taxes will rise and our quality of care will go down, both of which point to selfish motives.
If my taxes go up to help others stay healthier, I'm happy to support it, to make society stronger and more viable.
My personal choice in health care will not be removed, even if I have to wait slightly longer to receive care.
A very important aspect that those opposed to health care reform seem to not realize is that there is always more to the story behind one's condition than meets the eye.
For example, African-Americans show a higher rate of hypertension and heart disease, thus a lower life expectancy. This isn't due necessarily to lifestyle and certainly isn't due to their biology, but studies show that long term exposure to discrimination can have long term effects on our physiological processes such as blood pressure that lead to poor health.
Even before we are born, the story of our health begins. If our mother is malnourished, we acquire an extra thrifty metabolism that maximizes any nourishment provided to us in the womb. This stays with us after we are born. So if we then receive adequate nutrients, our body capitalizes on it as if we were still malnourished, therefore giving us weight problems and even diabetes.
Poverty and poor health are often not the fault of people these conditions afflict, but many people fail to realize this. Those of us who have access to affordable care have a moral responsibility to help others reach it as well.
Is health care a right or is it a privilege? With our advanced technology and ability to reach so many, health care should be a right; a right that will lead to the better well-being and our ultimate survival as a people.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
jimmy
posted 11/10/09 @ 7:06 AM MST
"Arguments against health care reform say that taxes will rise and our quality of care will go down, both of which point to selfish motives."
Andy you are a complete idiot! Do you not see that most arguments for health care reform are "selfish. (Continued…)
Zach
posted 11/10/09 @ 6:14 PM MST
This wasn't even a point-counterpoint. It was two liberals actually agreeing with each other. What was the point of this?
I would refuse any tax hike or being forced to buy health insurance if it helped women get abortions. (Continued…)
Registered Independent
posted 11/10/09 @ 9:00 PM MST
According to the latest Gallup Poll, only 30% of Americans support this socialized health care bill that was just passed by the House.
This is significant because that is a 10% drop in public support in the last 5 weeks. (Continued…)
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