The Baucus bogus

Governor Max Baucus announced his health care plan on Wednesday, stirring up the opposition in the Senate. His plan is predicted to cost $856 billion dollars over a period of 10 years. According to The price tag the Congressional budget office priced it at it will have a total savings of $49 billion on the deficit over the 10 year period. The Bill will make it mandatory to have health insurance, fining anyone who does not. It also places restrictions on the Insurance companies, not allowing them to put as many restrictions on their health care and selling it online so it’s easier to price, compare and buy. Although the bill is meeting a lot of opposition right now, mostly from GOP side, Baucus is convinced that it will eventually win over the republicans. The bill has been widely accepted by most liberals, it meets most of the requirements Pres. Obama laid out last week, but more conservative senators are not agreeing with the bill. Although most people consider this an urgent matter, this is sure to heat the floors of the senate for some time to come.

This bill is, well it’s not so great if you ask me. Although it was made to support the lower and middle class families I don’t think it can do much for them in the long run. The bill is expensive, spending money we don’t have, keeping our nation in debt and laying the burden on future generations. Second, it places restrictions on the people. Although this is potentially helpful and everyone should have health care, it’s not right to force anyone to have it and fine them if they don’t. And thirdly, it places restrictions on the private business owners. Although in this time we often view the insurance companies as the enemy, we need to remember they are not. They are normal American citizens, who are living the American dream, running their own business and succeeding at it. Although insurance is expensive, we can’t be cheating them out of their right as a business owner to set their own prices for their own services. Congress doesn’t tell McDonalds how much to sell their Big Macs for and to who, it’s their right to sell it to who they want. Restricting the private business owner isn’t fair, especially when you’re just targeting a certain kind of business. Congress should try to keep it simple. (Easier said than done) but if you think just the basics, start there and you can work your way up. They don’t have to try and cover everyone first try, just take it one step at a time.

~K.C.