Obama's health care plan may pose problems for medical students
But some students aren't worried about future
Edward Humphrys
Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: News
With President-elect Barack Obama just months away from his inauguration, one of his agendas is gaining more attention and a host of supporters. Obama's health care reform became one of the main avenues for criticism from the Republican Party during the campaign, and these criticisms often incorporated accusations of socialistic intentions.
Even though the race is now over, the focus has largely shifted to curiosity as to how the reforms will affect the U.S health care system, a system long criticized as being obsolete in its coverage when compared with the health care systems of other industrialized nations.
While all Americans will in some way be affected by Obama's proposed reforms, medical students in particular will experience the full scope of the reform firsthand and can more effectively predict the resulting change in the health care system.
"I think the purpose of 'government-provided health care' is to effectively create a basic insurance package that is affordable for all Americans, but not mandatory," said Kelly Taylor, diversity chair for Alpha Epsilon Delta, the UA pre-medical society. "Although the term 'affordable' has yet to be clearly defined.
"This is a great idea because this will help keep people out of the emergency rooms," Taylor said. "With affordable care available, people will be able to see their doctor in a clinic setting and will be able to more easily avoid the hospital.
"I think this will help demolish the bureaucracy of the health care system today and give the power back to the patients and physicians."
With reactions as varied as that of the general public, optimism seems to be a prevailing strain of thought among UA pre-medical students eager to begin practicing and largely positively minded about the changes the reform might bring.
"I feel that Obama's health care plan is a positive step toward providing all Americans with affordable medical care coverage," said Rachel Thomas, a UA pre-medical student.
Even though the race is now over, the focus has largely shifted to curiosity as to how the reforms will affect the U.S health care system, a system long criticized as being obsolete in its coverage when compared with the health care systems of other industrialized nations.
While all Americans will in some way be affected by Obama's proposed reforms, medical students in particular will experience the full scope of the reform firsthand and can more effectively predict the resulting change in the health care system.
"I think the purpose of 'government-provided health care' is to effectively create a basic insurance package that is affordable for all Americans, but not mandatory," said Kelly Taylor, diversity chair for Alpha Epsilon Delta, the UA pre-medical society. "Although the term 'affordable' has yet to be clearly defined.
"This is a great idea because this will help keep people out of the emergency rooms," Taylor said. "With affordable care available, people will be able to see their doctor in a clinic setting and will be able to more easily avoid the hospital.
"I think this will help demolish the bureaucracy of the health care system today and give the power back to the patients and physicians."
With reactions as varied as that of the general public, optimism seems to be a prevailing strain of thought among UA pre-medical students eager to begin practicing and largely positively minded about the changes the reform might bring.
"I feel that Obama's health care plan is a positive step toward providing all Americans with affordable medical care coverage," said Rachel Thomas, a UA pre-medical student.
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Allison
posted 11/17/08 @ 8:49 AM CST
It is important to remember that we have a president, not a king, and his word is not law. Congress alone has the authority to make laws, and it is that body that will determine any changes in government's role in health care. (Continued…)
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