Obama MD

I don't have much time this morning, but I'd like to add my voice to the liberal clamor and cry, "Yea healthcare reform!"

Let's be clear: the new bill isn't the universal healthcare coverage I wanted. Why is it acceptable to Congress to insure 32 million Americans, but not all Americans? Even excepting the illegal population, we're leaving around 16 million people out of the loop. Hopefully, they belong to the tea party and the Republican groups that have been likening healthcare reform to death camps and claiming that this reform is the worst thing since LBJ passed civil rights legislation (I kid you not--Newt Gingrich made this stunning analogy). Nevertheless, it is an opportunity to do what is right, which is to give American citizens a fair opportunity to take care of themselves.

I find it interesting that opponents call healthcare reform paternalistic; in their eyes, this is evidence of totalitarianism, unfettered government interference in our lives. This bill merely requires that most of us act responsibly and provide coverage for ourselves. It assists in this process. Its intent is to drive down the exorbitant costs associated with the uninsureds' visits to emergency rooms, and to rein in insurance agencies. Find me a republican who likes the fact that his premium goes up yearly, in unregulated increments. I personally hate it. Every cost of living increase I receive goes immediately to pay for my increased premium. And I'm unionized. I pay a monthly due for the privilege of having people continually going up to bat for me and my right to decent healthcare. Everyone deserves such an advocate.

So, while I'm cynical regarding the reach and success of this reform (and petrified to see it frozen in congressional repeals and lawsuits), I am very proud of my lawmakers today. And I haven't said that in a long time.