I usually try to avoid sharing my political views due to the fact that I despise it when others shove their views on me. I've been thinking about the topic of healthcare for a while, but haven't really said what I think due to the fact that it's strongly tied to politics. Then I was thinking, "Why is healthcare a political topic?"
Healthcare has been a very popular topic lately since the election and since the recent draft of Trump's healthcare bill has been released. The USA Today reports that the Congressional Budget Office estimates that twenty-two million fewer people would have health care by the year 2026 if the current draft were to be passed.
I remember when I heard this estimation for the first time and thought, "What will those people do when they become sick?" The sad truth is that they won't be able to do anything or go anywhere to get better. They'll have to suffer through the illness they're going through. This fact broke my heart, and it came back to what I've always thought.
Healthcare shouldn't be political.
It's not fair that other people get to decide whether someone they don't know is going to be able to receive medical care that may or may not save their life in the end. People go through hardships sometimes, and that doesn't mean that they should physically or mentally suffer because of it.
Why has it gotten to the point that we, as a society, bicker about who deserves to be taken care of. I really don't agree with the fact that healthcare has become this huge, political issue that can either make or break a campaign for political figures. As humans, we should care for and love each other. I know that some people think "If they don't work, they shouldn't be able to have healthcare." While I agree that people should either be working or actively searching for a job, I don't wish for those who don't to be suffering. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
It's also the fact that it seems like we are punishing people. There has been discussion about removing protection for healthcare for those with pre-existing health conditions. How, in any way shape or form, is that the person's fault? And why should their family struggle even more just to try to pay bills? I know that this has been very controversial, but again, why? My opinion is it shouldn't be up for discussion. It wasn't their choice to be born with their illness or disability. It doesn't make them worth less than anyone born healthy.
Healthcare shouldn't be political. Some form of it should be available for everyone to affordably access. It shouldn't be something we debate, whether certain people deserve it or not.
