Both House and Senate have passed President Barack Obama’s new health care plan. However, its inaction due to disagreement from both parties in Congress is taking on toll on American citizens’ health and faith in its institution.
About 46 million people in the United States are uninsured, according to the Business and Media Institute, while 160 million Americans are already covered, according to Time.
Both bills mandate that nearly everyone in the United States obtain health insurance, with the exception of those who either cannot afford it or fall under one of the other few exemptions.
Several students said they support the passing of a bill and believe making health insurance accessible is a positive change.
‘Well, it’s good that the government wants to require health insurance for everyone and that people will be covered through their employers,’ said sophomore Andrea Leon.
Individuals who file as dependents will be able to stay on their parents’ insurance until the age of 26 under the House bill, and the age of 25 under the Senate bill.
Local and national businesses will be required under the House bill to offer coverage to employees unless they have an annual payroll of less than $500,000. The Senate bill will not specifically require employers to offer coverage, but they must offer benefits and will be penalized if employees seek coverage elsewhere.
Insurers would also no longer deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions.
Sophomore Amanda Gallegos believes making health care available to everyone is important.
‘Health care has a bunch of issues that need to be sorted out because a lot of families can’t afford it. Equal health care should be provided to everyone, not based on economic standing,’ she said. ‘Those who are better off shouldn’t be treated better or differently compared to someone who can hardly get by.’
Until recently, Democrats had the 60 votes needed to push through their bill. However, Republican Scott Brown won the Massachusetts Senate seat formerly held by Edward Kennedy.
Many students are left unsure of how these new policies might affect them.
‘Honestly, I feel like I don’t have a firm understanding of what’s going on; it’s a lot more complex than just ‘Should everyone have health insurance or not,’ said freshman Adam Alonzo. ‘I feel like it’s just really vague to me. I do feel, however, that making it more available for everybody is positive, although there are people who simply still may not be able to afford it.’
New government spending associated with the insurance coverage provisions of House bill between 2013 and 2019 is estimated to total $1.0 trillion, according to Rand. The House bill outlines several ways in which money will be created to fund the reform, most coming from taxes.’
