The debate continues

   Last week President Obama signed a healthcare reform bill into law. While healthcare reform has been a hot button issue since day one of Obama’s presidency, there are still a few kinks in the bill that need to be worked out.
   While it is a landmark accomplishment for healthcare to be provided to all Americans, some of our freedoms are at risk. For instance, we will lose some of our freedom to choose our healthcare provider, our doctors, and what kind of treatment we will receive. We will be mandated to buy into the government plan.
   The negligence of the insurance companies fueled the fire behind the urgency of the bill, and Americans were sick of getting the run around from their providers. But now, the IRS will be the insurance company, and bureaucrats will determine who gets what treatment. It’s the same thing under a different name.
   Many have waited for the day when we would have universal healthcare, but it still comes at a price. People will be penalized for refusing care under the government plan, up to $2,250 per family.
   The new law will also levy a 10 percent tax on indoor tanning salons. It will also tax soda, cigarettes, junk food and vending machines.
   It’s a relief to see the government being proactive about the obesity epidemic in America, but taxing things that aren’t controlled substances that adults can choose to partake in is crossing the line. We shouldn’t have to pay $6 for a bag of Doritos just because we know they’re bad for us.
   Legislation will also hinder our economy and will likely cause a rise in national unemployment levels.
   Small business owners could be forced to downsize to 49 employees in order to prevent paying a fee for not providing coverage. In the long run this hurts the economy because many small business owners will not be able to afford coverage or fines, and some large corporations will probably choose to pay the lesser fine rather than provide employees expensive coverage.
   On the bright side, students who are still dependent on their parents can remain insured until age 26 as long as they take 12 or more units. Also, insurers will be unable to drop coverage when a person becomes ill.
   So, yes! Healthcare for all! But at what cost?