Health care is something we all share a need for. When we need it, we want it to be there for us, and at an affordable price.
But judging by the notices I’ve received from my insurance provider, that’s not likely right now. I’m sure you have received similar notices: higher premiums and higher copays are in our future.
Americans (we the people) want affordable, universal health care. The Republicans want tax breaks for the wealthy, funded by we the people. The Democrats are standing up for we the people. Our government is currently in a shutdown because of these differing priorities.
Our president, when running for office, vowed affordable health care for Americans, and he has also espoused lower pharmaceutical costs. However, he’s the one who presented this budget that is very negative to us Americans (we the people). In fact, look at what else he and his team want to cut. According to the nonpartisan site GovFacts, the budget cuts health care in the forms of Medicaid ($1 trillion) and Medicare (higher monthly premiums, fewer covered benefits). The USDA Food and Nutritious Services states it cuts food assistance in the form of SNAP ($186 billion). This totals to numerous Americans deprived of affordable healthcare and struggling to put food on their tables.
Why? This is the richest country in the world. Why should any of us needing a surgery wonder how to pay for it? Why should any child in this county go to bed hungry?
Am I the only person who wonders why America’s most wealthy people really need a tax break funded by we the people? Wasn’t there some campaign slogan about “America First?” Somehow, I thought that meant that the needs of we the people would be at the top of the list — that our needs would be the first to be considered. But it seems that instead it means we the people are the first to suffer so that the wealthy can have their much-needed tax breaks.
I must be mistaken — they probably really do need another super-yacht or mega- mansion.
Cecelia Callison
Morton
