Universal Health Care: Urban Legend?

The phrase "Universal Health Care" used to clear out a party faster than a 5-0 raid. People always associated it with Socialism and Communism, but now that we are buying our banks and nationalizing most infrastructure programs, "Universal Health Care" does not sound all that dangerous. With the economy dancing between the words "Depression" and "Suicidal" more people have moved towards the uninsured column than ever before. It has gotten so bad that our president who currently resides over a 65% approval rating is pushing for a quasi-Universal Health Care system. Sure his plan does not cover everyone but it is closer to universal than any of its predecessors.

When someone thinks of Universal Health Care, they immediately spring to mind long lines and incompetent care. Who wants another DNV to take care of them?

The longer someone looks at this, the longer they get a better idea of the argument. Expensive health care system is not the worst thing in the world because of its benefits. Because of expensive health care, our hospitals provide world class care using cutting edge methods and equipment that were available because of that much enlarged cash flow. This health care system has provided cures and treatments for diseases that we might have never thought possible with Universal Health Care. However, is that enough?

More than 50 million Americans are currently uninsured with any kind of health care. That is almost 20% of Americans under the age of 65. Those 50 million cannot receive any sort of non-emergency treatment. On average, over 20,000 people have died each year during this past decade solely because of not being properly insured. That is 4 9/11s every year, 4 (5-year) Iraq wars every year, a Vietnam war every three years, get the picture?

Sure moving to Universal Health Care would hinder a lot of expensive research that might one day lead to a cure of a horrible disease but would Universal Health Care halt such research forever? I do not believe so, government and society always adjust to changes big and small. Sure it will be hard and tough, but that should not stop us from trying because 50 million Americans are counting on that.