Health care has been a hot topic for debate over the last eight years of Obama’s two terms as President. With the passing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in March of 2010, known culturally as ‘Obamacare’, the hopes of increasing the availability and affordability of health insurance for both individuals and employers seemed plausible. President Obama planned to reduce the American uninsured rate via individual mandates, requiring those not covered by an employer health program—or other public insurance program—to purchase a private insurance policy. Those who fell below the federal poverty line received tax-refundable subsidies to help pay for the premiums. In theory, this seems like a good idea. According to a survey conducted by the Center
…show more content…
Various human rights organizations have established and prioritized health care as a right to all humans. This idea—health care as a right to all—is not new. After World War II, there was a need to amply define human rights, which were clearly violated by Nazi Germany. So in 1948, the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” was created, validating a myriad of declarations that would hopefully make the world a much more habitable place. From Article 25 of the Declaration: “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services…” This made it clear that a government’s job was to provide and maintain the freedoms and liberties of its citizens, including—but not limited to—health …show more content…
Perhaps it is because of the American people’s fears of anything remotely close to Socialism. Several presidents have proposed universal health care in the past, including Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman. Both of their ideas were attacked for promoting “socialized medicine”—what they felt was a stepping stone to Communism. Long after that, pushes for health care reform were still shot down for the very same reason. Even before his presidential run, Ronald Reagan held sturdily against universal health care in a spoken word album released to the public titled “Ronald Reagan Speaks Out About Socialized Medicine”. The “slippery slope” argument has been more than enough to suppress the American people from wanting universal health care. Ironically, ‘socialistic’ programs have still been passed without taking the liberties of the American people away (Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, anyone?). The truth is universal health care can succeed in our mixed market economy, and is far from Communism. The next Lenin or Stalin will not come to power because of universal health
Various human rights organizations have established and prioritized health care as a right to all humans. This idea—health care as a right to all—is not new. After World War II, there was a need to amply define human rights, which were clearly violated by Nazi Germany. So in 1948, the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” was created, validating a myriad of declarations that would hopefully make the world a much more habitable place. From Article 25 of the Declaration: “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services…” This made it clear that a government’s job was to provide and maintain the freedoms and liberties of its citizens, including—but not limited to—health …show more content…
Perhaps it is because of the American people’s fears of anything remotely close to Socialism. Several presidents have proposed universal health care in the past, including Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman. Both of their ideas were attacked for promoting “socialized medicine”—what they felt was a stepping stone to Communism. Long after that, pushes for health care reform were still shot down for the very same reason. Even before his presidential run, Ronald Reagan held sturdily against universal health care in a spoken word album released to the public titled “Ronald Reagan Speaks Out About Socialized Medicine”. The “slippery slope” argument has been more than enough to suppress the American people from wanting universal health care. Ironically, ‘socialistic’ programs have still been passed without taking the liberties of the American people away (Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, anyone?). The truth is universal health care can succeed in our mixed market economy, and is far from Communism. The next Lenin or Stalin will not come to power because of universal health