Senate Health Care Bill

What's in the Senate Health Bill for You?

Overall Summary:

According to this article, the Senate's version of the Health Care Bill may have many benefits for certain incomes. The bill extends Medicaid to a larger range of incomes including families with an income under 29,000 dollars yearly. Also, families making up to 88,000 a year, will receive tax credits to make private insurance more affordable. However, those who don't purchase insurance may be fined. Also, introduced by senator Harry Reid, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act within the bill will make health coverage more affordable. Thankfully, though while spending $848 billion on the change taking place over a span of ten years , the bill will reduce the national deficit by $130 billion.

My Opinion:

I think that this article only shows the positives of the Senate's Health Care Bill. Though the positives do seem helpful to society, making healthcare and insurance more affordable, expenses don't just decrease. I'm sure that though these expenses will become easier for lower income families to pay, the cost will come out of the pockets of higher income families. This Bill is the kind of legislation that has a catch and I think that middle and upper class is going to end up with either worse coverage or higher taxes to help cover lower incomes.

Two-Party System

Two Party System

by XCDC

Christian License Plates

Federal Judge Nixes Christian License Plates

Overall Summary:

District Judge Cameron Currie ruled that because of seperation of church and state, Florida could not make license plates that had a cross along with the phrase "I believe". Both Americans United for Separation of Church and State and American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee opposed the plates whereas private Christian groups within the state favored and stated that this ruling did not exclude the plates all together. Private groups are still able to design their own plates for sale.

My Opinion:

I think that the seperation of church and state was put forth for a reason. This country is made up of many different religions and beliefs and sticking an obviously Christian license plate on cars of diverse citizens is not the most politically correct thing to do. This Christian plate may obviously offend others and I think it selfish to put Christianity before others, regardless of the law. In my opinion, the judge was right to declare the action pretty much unconstitutional.

Abortion Insurance Change

Abortion Rights Activists Say Stupak-Pitts Amendment Would Hurt Women's Rights

Overall Summary:

A recent law passed saying that insurance for abortion was to be limited. The Stupak-Pitts amendment is part of the upcoming Health Care Bill that puts restrictions on funding for abortion. According to the Bill, funding is not to go to abortion with the exception of rape, incest or for the well-being and safety of the mother. Households making more than $88,000 a year will be prevented from buying abortion insurance in their coverage.

My Opinion:

Regardless of my opinion on abortion, I think that this addition to the Health Care Bill is unneccessary. There are more problems to worry about within health care without worrying about moral obligations. Abortion is mostly a moral matter and should not be decided on by the government for each individual case. I respect that certain cases reserve the right for insurance because certain people physically and emotionally need the option of abortion, whereas others may take advantage of having the option of abortion and its insurance.