On Sunday 3/21/10 the United States made history. President Obama will sign a landmark $875 billion health care reform bill into law on Tuesday.

SO WHAT’s NEXT?

Now that the House has passed the Senate’s health care reform bill as well as a package meant to reconcile differences between the House and Senate bills, the next big step is for members of the Senate to sign off on those changes. And of course, that won’t be as easy as it sounds. Senate Republicans have indicated they will use any and all legislative tactics in order to slow and do their best to even stop the reconciliation bill from passing.

As a parent I find this just disgusting. I just can’t understand why Republicans are so dead-set against this. Other than the obvious–because they fear something positive coming from the Democrats. Is this truly about believing that affordable Health insurance for all is a bad thing or more of a personal vendetta against Obama and the Democratic Party. After last week’s Tea Party celebration when the words “Nigger” and “Faggots” were screamed out, I think this shows a very disgusting side of America that is real and scary. Is it more about just hating the healthcare bill for Republicans or more about hating to insure the groups they hate like minorities and homosexuals.

As a freelance artist I have struggled financially at times in my life. Especially when I just got out of college and before I was married about 10 years ago. I was in between jobs and one of the things I had to let slide was healthcare because COBRA was like $500 a month. It was ridiculous. I just started a new job and my healthcare was about to kick in, in about 10 days–when I sliced my hand open. I needed stitches but didn’t go to the hospital because I hadn’t been paid yet from new gig, my credit cards were maxed out and I didn’t want to miss out on a deadline at my new job. I went to work bleeding and in pain, and as designer I kind of needed a healthy hand to work with. I ended up being sent home and I had to borrow money from a new co-worker to go to see my physician, who luckily had a doctor onsite that was able to give me 5 stitches right then and there. This cost me $200 on the spot.

Though it was about ten years ago, it’s something I will never forget. It was a low point in my life and I can’t even imagine what it would be like to be a parent of a child and not have health insurance. Insurance companies are in my opinion one of the major things wrong with America. They are a business who cares not for people, just for money. Their fees have alienated doctors as well as every day people like you and me.

Meanwhile, while house Democratic leaders are hopeful they will have enough support in the Senate to stop Republicans’ attempts to block the legislation. It’s like high school all over again. All they need is a majority of 51 votes but if needed, Vice President Joe Biden, who serves as president of the Senate, is prepared to cast a tie-breaking vote.

WINNER: NANCY PELOSI
Ahead of Sunday’s vote, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was confident the reconciled bill would receive the Senate’s backing. Pelosi said that when her members go to vote, they will have “all of the assurance they need” that the reconciliation package will be passed in the Senate.

“When we bring the bill to the floor, we will have a significant victory for the American people,” Pelosi added.

LOSER: JOHN BOEHNER
House Minority Leader John Boehner, however, argued Friday that the vote was “pretty tight.” Boehner a stout critic of the bill, said the revised health care bill was worse than the original legislation and added that the “American people are going to hear about every payoff, every kickback and every sweetheart deal that comes out.”

Good one “Boner”! Good one.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
How do you feel about this new bill? I personally think it’s great. As a dad and a human being I see no real negative. I think that everyone deserves health insurance. It just saddens me that other people in this country don’t think so as well?

What does this mean for you as a parent?

Well I think it will help young mothers, especially teens, survive. It will help anybody who isn’t as fortunate as you to have healthcare. It should be applauded not degraded.

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