At the care core

Our current health care system is a strain on individuals and the government. Both Mitt Romney and President Obama’s plans have appealing factors, but what is more important: the economy or the health of the people? Is it possible for health reform to affect both?

In 2011 there were 49.6 million people without coverage. Even those with coverage do not receive quality care, struggle with their co-pays or are dropped for pre-existing conditions. The Affordable Care Act will change this, but we must ask whether it will be cost effective. Eventually, yes. Preventative services will be provided, resulting in fewer trips to the doctor, primary care will be more accessible resulting in fewer trips to the ER and all children will be provided health care, which will lead to a healthier generation to come.

The Romney plan presumably will lower costs of health care, but will the decrease be significant enough to make a difference for individuals’ and the government’s budgets? Will this plan leave too many uninsured?

A multitude of questions are left unanswered. The main concern of our country’s health reform, regardless of who wins the election, needs to target the poor health of Americans, the accessibility of health care and the ever-rising costs.

Aubree Pierce

Old Fort