Socialism? Rationing? Death Panels?!! Very little criticism of health reform is well-founded, and most of it is incredibly emotional. The drama unfolding in town hall meetings across the country makes one wonder about underlying subconscious factors fueling opposition. Are we really afraid of health care reform resulting in the creation of a socialist state? Do we really think that the government is going to actively pursue euthanasia? Will we be refused needed healthcare under the proposed system because of rationing? There is undoubtedly a much deeper cause for the abhorrence of health care reform. For many of us, the idea of a government-funded health care option threatens the very conception of being an American.
In this country, many of us seek to sustain religious, cultural, and linguistic divisions. The psychological function of racial discrimination has been pointed out as a means to ascribe any/all undesirable characteristics upon the "other". As long as we have an "other" to degrade, we can project undesirable traits and thus feel a little better about ourselves. Does the non-availability of health care ensure that a mental wall between classes is maintained?
It's not racism, and racism has nothing to do with it, but the deeply held irrational fear of health care reform is remarkably similar to racism. Somehow, the availability of health care is inextricably tied to class, upward mobility, happiness, and the American dream.
Are we afraid to share a doctor's office with someone who makes less money than we do? Are we afraid to visit a nurse when the same nurse is assisting people of a different color or cultural background than us? Would that take away from our health, happiness, or degrade the quality of care received? If our answer is yes, then we really do need a lot more regulation.
If insurance companies and health care providers could be trusted to provide what they agree to provide, there would be no need for government regulation. But, they can not be trusted. People in this country are dropped by insurance companies while they are being treated for cancer. Their spouses are sometimes dropped as well. If other businesses followed this type of behavior, the public would not allow it. Why should we allow corporations to deny us health care because of their interest in profit?
Critics of proposed health care reform claim that they do not want to be controlled by government and that socializing medicine would be an attack on basic freedoms. It seems they would rather to remain under the tyranny of large corporations that are replacing the art of medicine with the art of making profits. How is being controlled by corporations more American than allowing government to make health care affordable for everyone?
It's time we take a good look at our underlying emotional opposition to health care reform and consider that it may be time for us to evolve as a society.
.JPG)
