HC Reform

Health care reform has been a topic of constant debate not only over the summer, but also continuously now, especially since we are in session. I myself work for my Congressman of New York’s 13th district and receive calls from constituents everyday expressing their opinion on health care reform. Some identify in a strictly political sense of liberal v. conservative. They identify with the general consensus of their parties opinion and stick to it. Others identify in social terms of small business owner or also in terms of age. A lot of the time the first words I hear are, “I am a senior citizen in your district.” Also, in letters that I read people feel the need to identify with any possible title that might pertain to them, such as “ I am a senior citizen, veteran widow, 89 years of age…”

I think that because the health care reform affects many areas, multiple identities are now being claimed. Each person is sticking up for their own concerns and where they fit into the plan. Senior Citizens are concerned or for the changes to Medicare advantage. Those under the poverty line that rely on Social Security are concerned or for change to Medicad. Business owners see this reform as chance to stop paying for employees insurance out of their own pockets and get a break they believe they deserve. Also, it is viewed as positive for business owners in the sense they have smaller premiums depending on which plan is instituted.

Therefore, I see identity as playing an explicit role in this debate. When considering the different parts of health care reform, the language itself opens the door for multiple identification groups. And the ironic thing is that even under those groups of senior citizen or small business owner there are still divided opinions. So it furthermore implies identification as a senior citizen against health care reform or the opposite. The whole point of a debate is to take sides and identify with a particular position so these circumstances were unavoidable.