Priorities in America
Health Care’s Rising Influence
American citizens are worried more than ever about health care, according to Monmouth University Polling Institute. A recent poll conducted by the CSU News Team confirms that most citizens in Columbus, GA rank health care at the top of their list.
“In my case,” says Columbus resident Jana Prine. “Health care is a priority.”
The CSU News Team interviewed several citizens in the Columbus area and found most people are more worried about health care because of their age.
“When I was 20 and 30, I didn’t worry about health care at all,” said Prine. “When I turned 35 and had two kids and a growing number of health problems, health care became very important. Now it’s a necessity because of my medical issues.”
Columbus residents do not generally worry about health care when they are young. Youth is usually accompanied by a clean bill of health, so paying for health insurance is not crucial until later in life.
“I’ve always been healthy,” said grandmother of one, Roxanne Hensiek. “I’ve had no major health issues. But the older you get the more insurance you need because you might have to use it.”
America has seen a rise in health care concerns over recent years, beginning in 2010 when former President Obama’s Affordable Care Act was passed. Health care is a current hot topic as President Trump is in the process of creating a new bill that would replace the Affordable Care Act.
“Health care has gone down hill in the last several years,” said Jim Cook of Columbus. “When Obamacare was passed, many people thought they would be able to afford it and it turns out they couldn’t. Why wouldn’t you worry?”
With health care being in the spotlight in Washington, many wonder if health care should be offered through the federal government or be left to private insurance companies.
“That’s a tough question,” said Columbus preschool teacher Jeanette Taylor. “I feel like everyone needs health care but it’s not thing everyone gets just because you are an American citizen.”
“It’s hard to say,” replied Rita Nance of Fortson, Ga. “Everyone should have access to the same health care.”
Health care’s growing importance has put a heavy burden on some people’s shoulders. Many reasons Columbus residents are concerned about health care is that many parents include their children on their policy, which is steadily becoming more expensive. Adding one child to your health insurance can almost double your monthly payments.
“There’s different things going on with different people and everyone’s situation is different,” replied Cook. “Your own current health state and I guess for a lot of people their children-having insurance for their kids who might fall and get a bloody nose.”
“It’s just gotten so expensive,” said Taylor. “Those that work and have insurance through them are fine. Others are kind left out, wondering how things will get better or change for everyone.”
Americans have steadily increased our spending on health care since 1960, when we only spent 5 percent of our yearly income on health insurance. By 2002, we raised this number to 15%, according to the Rand Corporation’s study on health care in 2005.
Health care is important to the American people, and Columbus, GA is no different. With health care appearing to be of the utmost importance, finding ways to eliminate our concerns continues to be a great challenge.
