No topic is more likely to stoke political fires at the moment than that of health care.Where a person stands on this issue is not a simple matter of being “for” or “against” a bill but, a matter of political identity in a time of massive and still mounting political tension.

Confusion and doubt often permeate conversation about the future of our health care system. Undeniably, “Where do we go?” is an intimidating question. Looking at where we are now assures me that it’s a question we must face, because where we are now is unacceptable.

The National Coalition on Health Care estimates that 46 million Americans under the age of 65 do not have any form of health insurance. That’s 18 percent of the current population under the age of 65.

A recent Harvard study reports that lack of health insurance is the cause of 45,000 premature deaths in the U.S. every year and it’s not as though having employer-provided insurance means you’re really covered.

Insurance companies can deny coverage or change their policy the second it is needed most if they choose to, and they often do. Many people have been denied coverage due to the discovery of a new pre-existing condition, which could be anything from obesity, pregnancy, being athletic or having a hazardous occupation such as a law-enforcement officer or firefighter. In eight states insurance providers can call domestic violence a “pre-existing condition” and have refused to cover the treatment of survivors of sexual assault, physical violence and stalking on these grounds.

One of the most common arguments against a universal health care plan is that it will take away a patient’s right to choose their doctor and their options for coverage.

Getting coverage seems like it may not be guaranteed for policy holders anyway, and even a quick look at our current system shows that there is only a limited number of physicians and specialists we can choose from with employer provided insurance. There is a fear that if we were to adopt universal health care, a government committee would be in charge of deciding what benefits and coverage a person could receive.

The reality is that, under the current proposed plan, there would be a “private-public advisory board” that would only recommend what should be covered by the different insurance packages like basic and premium.

The current bill describes minimum coverage requirements as prescription drugs, preventative services, maternity care and certain vaccines. All things that employer-provided health care is not sure to deliver.

The numbers and our current companies all prove that the system we have now is no longer an option.

We deserve better than 46 million uninsured citizens. We deserve better than to be forced to depend solely on employers and companies driven on sheer profit for health insurance.

The U.S. has always made its greatest achievements when we’ve worked together. We need to face the facts now and work together to create a health care system that serves all of us because the current situation demands it.

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