Staff Editorial: Health care is necessary, but can we afford it?
Issue date: 7/21/09 Section: Opinions
Yesterday, Ill. Rep. Mark Kirk announced that he would be running for the Senate seat that was previously held by President Barack Obama. Nearly 50 health care advocates wouldn't let Kirk off the hook so easily.
The advocates reportedly stormed their way to the front of the rally and began telling Kirk directly the need for actual health care reform.
Caught off guard, Kirk proceeded to ignore the advocates and carry on with his announcement speech.
Among the advocates was Judith Gethner. After attending the rally, Gethner still wasn't receiving the response or answers that she was looking for.
Gethner then snuck up to Kirk on his porch and asked the representative why he would not support a public option for health care. Kirk still ignored the question.
Gethner asked one final time and finally got an answer she wasn't exactly ready for.
Gethner then told reporters that an angry and agitated Kirk responded with "We can't afford to insure everyone."
Gethner's response was simple yet strong, "How can we afford not to, Mr. Kirk?"
Health care is a topic that is always on the forefront of many citizens and politicians minds, and why shouldn't it be?
Many families nationwide are up in arms about their current health insurance situations. Not only do many jobs limit the choices a family can make to two or fewer insurance companies, but also it seems that the choice the family makes can't be correct.
According to a report on HealthCareforAmerica.org (HCAN), from 2000 to 2007, health insurance premiums for working Illinois families has risen 73 percent.
Nineteen months ago the unemployment rate was at 5.6 percent. The recession eliminated nearly 7 million jobs statewide. The unemployment rate has now reached 9.4 percent.
Because of these troubled times, now seems a better time than ever to initiate a public health care reform.
This leaves one lasting question. Can we truly afford public health care?
Currently, congress is working on a piece of legislation that is hoped will eliminate many persistent health disparities.
HCAN continues to fight for a health care reform that will benefit the nation as a whole with more than 1000 organizations that represent over 30 million people. President Obama is one supporter of the organization along with 190 members of Congress.
With all this support and top politicians backing the ideas of public health care, it seems as though it is only a matter of time until this dream becomes reality.
Our question to Rep. Kirk is, with the senate seat up for grabs, can he afford to not support public health care?
The editorial is the majority opinion of The DEN editorial board. Reach the opinions editor at: DENopinions@gmail.com.
The advocates reportedly stormed their way to the front of the rally and began telling Kirk directly the need for actual health care reform.
Caught off guard, Kirk proceeded to ignore the advocates and carry on with his announcement speech.
Among the advocates was Judith Gethner. After attending the rally, Gethner still wasn't receiving the response or answers that she was looking for.
Gethner then snuck up to Kirk on his porch and asked the representative why he would not support a public option for health care. Kirk still ignored the question.
Gethner asked one final time and finally got an answer she wasn't exactly ready for.
Gethner then told reporters that an angry and agitated Kirk responded with "We can't afford to insure everyone."
Gethner's response was simple yet strong, "How can we afford not to, Mr. Kirk?"
Health care is a topic that is always on the forefront of many citizens and politicians minds, and why shouldn't it be?
Many families nationwide are up in arms about their current health insurance situations. Not only do many jobs limit the choices a family can make to two or fewer insurance companies, but also it seems that the choice the family makes can't be correct.
According to a report on HealthCareforAmerica.org (HCAN), from 2000 to 2007, health insurance premiums for working Illinois families has risen 73 percent.
Nineteen months ago the unemployment rate was at 5.6 percent. The recession eliminated nearly 7 million jobs statewide. The unemployment rate has now reached 9.4 percent.
Because of these troubled times, now seems a better time than ever to initiate a public health care reform.
This leaves one lasting question. Can we truly afford public health care?
Currently, congress is working on a piece of legislation that is hoped will eliminate many persistent health disparities.
HCAN continues to fight for a health care reform that will benefit the nation as a whole with more than 1000 organizations that represent over 30 million people. President Obama is one supporter of the organization along with 190 members of Congress.
With all this support and top politicians backing the ideas of public health care, it seems as though it is only a matter of time until this dream becomes reality.
Our question to Rep. Kirk is, with the senate seat up for grabs, can he afford to not support public health care?
The editorial is the majority opinion of The DEN editorial board. Reach the opinions editor at: DENopinions@gmail.com.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Okpulot Taha
posted 7/21/09 @ 12:01 AM CST
Mark Kirk is an exceptionally poor choice for any Republican elected position. Mark Kirk is a true "Republican In Name Only".
He is a RINO.
Most recently Kirk voted "yes" for the cap & trade bill which is described as the most massive tax increase in American history. (Continued…)
J Stone
posted 7/22/09 @ 11:46 AM CST
Mark Kirk's voting record speaks for itself.
Republican Positions and Votes by Congressman Mark Kirk in the 111th Congress:
Obama Budget-Republican
Card Check-Republican
$787B Stimulus-Republican
$410B Omnibus-Republican
Earmarks-Republican
Cap & Trade-Democratic
Gov't Health Care-Republican
Illegal Amnesty-Republican
Border Wall-Republican
Keep Gitmo-Republican
Afghan timetable-Republican
Balanced Budget-Republican
Missile Defense-Republican
Ledbetter Act-Republican
Okpulot Taha, think before you post and do your homework. (Continued…)
moop
posted 7/26/09 @ 6:49 AM CST
Okpulot Taha
You are absolutley right. With Illinois being an ultra conservative state, the party needs to run an ultra conservative candidate. I think Alan Keyes in a tin foil helmet would do the trick. (Continued…)
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