Adeshola Blue: Health Care Reform Passes, But What Will We Get?
Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 1:00PM 
By Adeshola Blue
Last weekend Nancy Pelosi and the White House celebrated the passage of healthcare reform by a vote of 220-215. Time to break out the Kool and the Gang mp3, right? Wrong. Unfortunately for the White House, this is one of many hoops they must jump through in order to get passage of this reform bill. But the President can pencil this one into the win column, because the big challenge is approaching. The Blue Dogs in the Senate and Joe Lie-berman stand to bite the President on the backside once again and put the public option out to pasture. (I know President Obama is ruing the day he campaigned for Joe Lieberman.) Add a Christmas wish of a deadline and the next few weeks will continue the high drama that is known as Capitol Hill.
Even if this thing passes I wonder what we are actually getting. Is everyone getting insurance? And if so, which plan are we getting? Are we getting Blue Cross/Blue Shield lite? Will my employer opt out of the wonderful plan I currently have and pay into the "public" option? Will I be able to get birth control pills paid for under this version of legislation? Will the Democrats have the balls to bypass the Republicans and the Blue Dogs and just create Medicare part E, as in healthcare for everybody? Or will the President go gimmicky and offer to cover pets so that he can get everyone on board? (White House, feel free to add the "Pet Option.") Either way, those who aren't covered will have some sort of coverage, and ultimately this is Obama's goal. Maybe he can write that win in pen.
Adeshola Blue writes the blog Random Thoughts About Pressing Mess. Read more of her work here.
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Reader Comments (5)
the public option is a silly "fix" and the wrong direction.
but what's even more sad?
a thread on whether or not a white person can be related to michelle obama and and a thread on sammy sosa's skin color have more replies. makes you think about what's really on people's mind and their priorities.
I am planning on having children. I don't want Medicare I want Medicaid! You've forgotten to mention that people will be REQUIRED to carry insurance and fined if they don't buy the govt's expensive ill fitting plan.
@ Serenity
every one who owns a car must have car insurance, if you breath and are able to get sick you must have health insurance sounds just about right.
If you don't have insurance then "society" will have to pick up the tab, which is costlier than just having insurance.
Serenity, you are right... Medicaid is what we all want! LOL. I was on it during pregnancy. It is nice to go on to the doctor when you need to go and have the bill picked up.
Miguel:
Car insurance is a slightly different matter, more to protect those you might hurt with your car. But it still isn't the gov't job to provide folks with insurance.