Health Care debate over, Maybe

By Chuck Kajer

Sunday's historic passage of a Health Care Reform bill by congress marked the end of nearly 100 years of efforts to ensure that all Americans are covered by some sort of health policy. President Obama and the Democrats in Congress have succeeded where many others - both Republican and Democrat - have failed.

Critics of the bill have said that we have the best health care system in the world - and they are right. This bill, though was designed not so much to change the health care system, but to change the insurance system. It is meant to ensure that all Americans have access to the health care system. Employers and private citizens have been getting priced out of the market by insurance providers. Business owners have had to deal with skyrocketing premiums for their employees. The solution for too many employers has been to either cut or eliminate coverage or lay off employees. This bill is designed to alleviate this problem - yet critics call the bill a job-killer.

The current bill is far from perfect, but what it is is a starting point. For years presidents from both parties have tried - and failed to enact any significant reform. In the meantime, some groups are working hard to repeal the bill or to challenge the constitutionality in the courts.

So it appears the issue has not totally disappeared. Stay tuned!