Being somewhat of a news buff myself, i have tried to have conversations with few of my friends about the current policy debates that is doing the rounds in the US about healthcare. Much to my chagrin, barring a very few, most were not even interested in knowing what is being debated, and why this is one of the most important issues in any society. What surprises me the most is that these are the same people who have already applied for their Green Cards and plan on settling down in the US.
Given the high cost of healthcare, and tales of how it could financially ruin a family in case of a medical calamity, I supposed that these new settlers in America would take a particular interest in the debate. After all, if there is a good public option, then i don't think people would be so reliant on employer based health insurance. So, why are we desis, who want to settle down here and just beginning to make financial headway being so indifferent to policy debates such as these? Why aren't we looking 10 years down the line and see that there might come a time when the healthcare policy of this country would impact each of us in a big way at some point.
There are two different responses which i typically get. 1) I will go to India to get my treatment in case something is major (which is a foolhardy approach. Emergencies don't give you advance notice). 2) I am not even a citizen here (which does not make sense either. most of these people are going to settle down here, and citizenship would be a step that would come down the road). All the responses i usually get reflect our attitude toward public policy and responsibility - one of escapism and excuses.
Is this is a cultural - the typical desi non-chalance towards anything that is not personal - thing?
Why are we again digging our own financial graves by being apathetic towards such issues?
Isn't it time we left our cultural baggage at the door, and atleast look at issues that has grave implications to our own future?
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I do agree with u on the lethargic attitude.
Wilson
September 5, 2009 8:03 PMThough I agree that we as a community have shown little or no interest in the current health reforms that are being proposed by the obama administration, it is also to be noted that even the American citizens are not doing any better when it comes to supporting their president. I am not condoning our attitude but the White house has to do a better job at advertising what their intent is clearly. At least to me lot of things are muddled in terms of implementation of the "universal health care" scheme. It is still at a very high level.
But I have always said that this policy in one of the better ones that Obama put forth even during his campaign. The employer based insurance is ridiculous to say the least given the current economy. Reps have prevented any changes to the health care just to protect the profit margins of the insurance providers. And obviously with the introduction of the UHC the doctors would hate getting reimbursements directly from the govt.
Hope they get this resolved quickly so that it would benefit millions without insurance because they are out of jobs.
Prasanna
September 6, 2009 3:10 PM