Healthcare Reform: We Don’t Have A Problem??

In the Soundoff section of today’s paper, I noticed this:

Health care is fine the way it is. Why do the Democrats want to create a government-run health industry? We already have a health industry run between insurance companies and the government. I don’t understand why it all has to be taken over by the government. I can understand government running the Panama Canal or something, but not health insurance.

Ouch!

It is scary to think that people still don’t understand the facts about healthcare reform. There are certainly different points of view, some at polar opposites, but there is not much debate that this is a problem that we need to address. While we can argue about what parts need fixing and what the proper fix is, is there still a question of whether we even have a problem? Obviously, the answer is yes. How do we get out the facts? First, whatever your political persuasion, whatever your point of view, be civil in debate. Second, make sure that what you say or write is true. Internet research – from solid sources – is not hard at all.

Gleaning facts and talking points from other blogs or from idle talk at the next table is even easier, but may be the furthest things from the truth. The hardest thing to do is opening our minds to the possibility that our point of view might not be the only, or optimal, solution. Finally, lose the scare tactics. If that is how you convince someone that your view is the proper one, you are part of the problem, not the solution.