Health Care Reform's Battle Over the "Body" Politic

categories: Government, Health, Politics, Reproductive Health

Published September 06, 2009 @ 10:32PM PT

Despite the war in Afghanistan, the continued concerns over climate change, and the economic crisis it seems that for the past few months the United States has been mesmerized by only one issue: health care reform.

While this process has divided many people - mostly those who call themselves Democrats and those who call themselves Republicans - it has also unified us on something that is so integral to the human existence, but often taken for granted: our health. And despite the landslide support for Democrats in both the Presidential and Senate elections, these politicians are still trying to find "compromise" on these bills - all in the name of passing it. But what hasn't been fully realized it seems is that a) the Democrats have the support they need to pass reform without further capitulations to Republicans and b) the Republicans will work hard to get the bill to where they want it, and then not vote for it.

We need to start somewhere. And unfortunately, I don't think further compromise is going to get us much farther. Take a look at the article from The Atlantic about how important it is that we act NOW on health care reform - regardless of what is or isn't included at this point in time:

If the Democrats' only successful effort to pass health care legislation after 20 years of failure followed landslide presidential and Senate elections, wouldn't that suggest that the Democrats' best chance to pass health care reform this round would be, well, following landslide presidential and Senate elections? You might say, "Hey, the Democrats always have 2010 to pad their majority." That's obviously true, they do have 2010. But recent history suggests that big majorities like this are difficult to maintain (look at '94 for Democrats or 2000, '06 for Republicans), and if health care reform flames out, it doesn't bode well for an even tougher fight on climate change and financial regulation. I'm not saying November 2010 is riding on September 2009. I'm saying I don't see any reason for much patience. How could the road to health reform get any easier for Democrats? How much closer to 1964 can you get?

It's when I read logical statements such as this, that I realize what is really going on. While reforming of our broken health care system can truly mean life or death for millions of Americans, it seems that after weeks of infighting, the human body has become nothing more than a political football for those in Washington to pass around.

For decades, women have understood how their body, their health, their medical choices are often determined by white men in suits in the nation's capitol who have little understanding of their needs. But, this time, everyone is getting a taste of what that is like to have the legislative process determine the fate of your body.

While it's been a painful process for us all, once we surface from this experience, we might, I hope, have a little more respect for each other and the medical needs we all share. It seems that in our fight for health care reform, we have all become part of the great battle over the "body" politic.

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Comments (10)

I agree about the compromise thing...

I mean, I admire president obama's desire to peacefully work with those who oppose him and would do so no matter what BUT theres a time to be nice and theres a time to stand up and say "Enough"...

We need a goverment run health care plan that will serve us all well...

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/07/2009 @ 02:40AM PT
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"For decades, women have understood how their body, their health, their medical choices are often determined by white men in suits in the nation's capitol who have little understanding of their needs. But, this time, everyone is getting a taste of what that is like to have the legislative process determine the fate of your body."

If we don't want Congress making medical choices for people, why not get the government out of health care?

Posted by Mark O on 09/08/2009 @ 08:47AM PT
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The gov't is already in health care. There's medicare, medicaid and different state run plans. The gov't run FDA approves what medicines we take. I sure would hate to see it ALL in the hands of insurance companies and pharmaceuticals. Scary!

Posted by brenda hoffman on 09/08/2009 @ 10:20AM PT
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Because mr. O...

If we privatise the whole thing then insurance companies will be making nothing but profit at the expence of all of us...Not that theyre not already doing way too much harm as is.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/08/2009 @ 02:35PM PT
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I concur miss hoffman.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/08/2009 @ 02:36PM PT
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FDA provides a level of safety, but it's not entirely clear that it's worth the cost, considering the lives lost as new drugs are delayed.

As for insurance companies making profit at the expense of patients, the solution for that is greater competition. I recommend you check out H.R. 3217, it's short and sweet:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-3217

Posted by Mark O on 09/08/2009 @ 03:17PM PT
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Whoops, meant to reply to the above thread.

Posted by Mark O on 09/08/2009 @ 03:18PM PT
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Mark O...are you an insurance agent? lol Insurance companies are not on the side of regular people who need to get well. More insurance companies is not that answer. We need affordable health care for EVERYONE. No exclusions. The CEO and the bum on the street....get the same diseases. They both need medical attention.

Posted by brenda hoffman on 09/10/2009 @ 05:45PM PT
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I'm just a regular, uninsured guy. No special attachment to any company, I just want people to have the freedom to find their own health care solutions.

Posted by Mark O on 09/10/2009 @ 08:39PM PT
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To hear youth voices on this issue, check out http://tr.im/yra7

Posted by Clay Scallan on 09/11/2009 @ 01:45PM PT
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Author

Jen Nedeau is a social media consultant, progressive activist, feminist speaker and writer. She currently lives in New York City, where she works full-time as the Director of Digital Strategy at Air America Media. In August 2008, Nedeau was selected to be the Editor of the WomensRights.Change.Org where she facilitates daily discussion about the feminist movement. Additionally, Nedeau volunteers as the Chief Technology Officer for New Leaders Council, a non-profit that offers exclusive training for young leaders. You can follow her on Twitter @HumanFolly or learn more here: www.jennedeau.com.