Obama brings hope

Figure of speech -

I just have to say that I think it was a wonderful thing to witness United States President Barack Obama signing the Health Care Reform Bill on March 23.

It was a milestone for the United States of America to elect an African American President and now he plans on completely turning the health care system around. It's amazing to witness such a determination from a President, for the betterment of his country.

I'm sure this bill will put him in the history books alongside President Roosevelt and Elvis, but the simple fact is everyone is entitled to some kind of basic security when it comes to health care.

I mean, we can't complain.

Yes, there seem to be endless waits at our medical clinics and hospitals, but the ability to access free health care, with a simple MCP number, is something we all commonly take for granted.

Imagine living in a country where if an individual breaks a bone, the examination, the x-ray and the cast would cost hundreds of dollars. Not to mention if a person needs any major surgery - a decision that might cost them five-figures or more. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of cancer or a terminal illness may even cost a family their home because the ultimate decision has to be made whether to pay rent/mortgage or continue medical treatment.

Here we can break whatever we want or come down with any illness and there is no exchange of money - except if we need a prescription and that's only if the person isn't covered by their company benefits or doesn't have a drug card.

Up until this point in the US of A, it didn't pay to 'break a leg,' so to speak.

Put aside the whole Danny Williams antic, which Republicans and social conservatives have been using as a crutch this whole time, because this bill will change so many lives in the United States and possibly beyond their borders.

For many families in the United States a decision between surgery and a roof over their children's head is more commonly debated then you know. There will be no match for the feeling of security they will feel when they no longer need to worry about the cost of a simple procedure or the treatment needed to fight cancer.

According to President Obama, starting right now insurance companies in the United States will no longer deny coverage for people with pre-existing conditions or drop their coverage when they do get sick.

No doubt the final evaluation of the health care reform will be left up to the people of the United States, however such a bill is a major achievement and my hope is that the United States will adopt a system similar to our MCP card.

I don't know about you, but I'm appreciative there isn't a bill in the mail when I leave the local medical clinic after speaking with my family doctor.

In a world that has become consumed by plastic cards - I hope everyone will hold onto their MCP card a little tighter with their next hospital visit and be thankful that we have the health system all others envy.