Healthcare system is ill

Like it or not, something is definitely wrong with America's healthcare system, which has been dominated by greedy health insurance companies since the last major reform in the 1970s. While Michael Moore's latest documentary, SiCKO, slams the American "less coverage, more money" system and praises the British, Canadian, and French "more help, more money" system, the focus of healthcare reform should not be about which system is better. Both have their goods and bads, both have their faults and issues.No, the focus of healthcare reform in these upcoming months should not be about the system, but rather about the 43.6 million who don't have any sort of coverage. The nation of No Child Left Behind needs to stop leaving behind its poor.

Moore's film goes into much detail about the various situations the uninsured are forced to go through every time a medical crisis erupts. Where is the help there? The government needs to stock bickering about socialism and their wallets and start worrying about the welfare of all its citizens. On this Fourth of July, the five hundred thirty-five representatives sitting on Capitol Hill ought to reflect Jefferson's words, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." People are being left behind. Are they not equal to everyone else because they're poor? Because they're worse off than the lawmakers in suits and ties? As the government is ignoring the cries of the 43.6 million uninsured and uncared for, they are breaking the basic tenets this nation was founded upon. The government has forgotten that eleven score and nine years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

There really is no excuse. Even though the health insurance industry has practically bought off every major political player into silence, the politicians can still act. Presidential candidate Barack Obama, among others, has discussed a plan that creates regional markets, which reduces bottle-necking and provides care for everyone: top-to-bottom. This way, they can afford to serve everyone (less competition is always good) and still maintain their massive revenue. It's a win-win, yes? Other plans exist as well. Barack Obama, John Edwards, Rudy Giuliani, and, well, unfortunately, none of the other major candidates have yet to reveal any sort of practical plan. We'll wait.

Regardless of how we do end up fixing this problem, the fact that the problem has dragged on for so long makes me wonder if money has taken over America's generous nature. Maybe it has; maybe money has become more valuable than human life. But has money grown so important that it can make people forget their falling brothers and sisters? There were times in this nation when the guy next to you would pick you up if you fell. Colonial America and the Great Depression are great examples of how this nation overcame tremendous difficulties by simply banding together.

Remember the adage, a team's only as strong as its weakest player? If it was true when you were on your high school track team, it is still true now: this nation is only as strong as its weakest citizens. If we continue to throw the poor under the truck, the upper tiers of society will grow so large that it will collapse without its base.

So on this Independence Day, while you're enjoying your hot dogs and fireworks, think about that poor guy living in the run-down house outside of town. Think about what happens if he should slip and break his leg walking down the stairs. Who will look out for him then?

According to current healthcare system? No one.