The fact is that although a government run health care program may not be ideal, the current program we have now is simply not working. I have lived 22 of my 24 years of life without health insurance, and my parents and brother currently do not have insurance due to the cost. My mother, due to a pre-existing condition, does not qualify for health coverage AT ALL. Not having insurance has caused several issues in getting quality, affordable health care for my family, including not getting adequate care in the emergency room my when young brother broke his leg. He was sent home with an ace bandage and told to see a private physician the next day, but with a bill for the cast, which was never provided; In the United States. Just a month ago, another trip to the hospital for an injury left us with numerous bills, one from a physician that DIDN'T EVEN SEE my brother...but who claims he walked into the room so should get  paid. WHAT? Who is making sure that the services were actually rendered when they are being billed...both for private paying and insured patients?

A sad truth that I have also realized is that HAVING insurance also does not guarantee quality health care. I have employer provided health insurance, and have searched for an OB/GYN taking new patients that also take my  health insurance AND will take an already pregnant woman and found only 1 in a 30 mile radius of my house, leaving me with little choice as to who my provider is. Having some pains and other issues, I find that when I speak to my provider, she is perhaps not as attentive as I might like, or she sends me to the hospital instead of seeing me in her office which would be faster and more comfortable. I know I am not the only one is this position and found that perhaps the frustration is not only on the part of patients but also on the part of physicians. After treating me for 9 months and delivering my baby, my doctor will be paid $2,700. That's it. Whether she is sees me 1 time or 100 times in those 9 months, or if labor takes 4 hours or 14 hours, that is the lump sum amount. Clearly, this is not working for her, and it most certainly is not working for me since I do not feel like I am getting adequate care.

So look, nay sayers are saying that a government health insurance program is not the answer. But it is SOMETHING, and hopefully something better then what we have now. I have big hopes that a program like the one President Obama is presenting will at least provide people like me and my family choices. Perhaps my mother can finally get the health care she desperately needs, regardless of how long it takes since eventually is significantly better then NEVER. And perhaps it will cause my insurance company to rethink the way they handle billing. The real question is if not this, if not now, then what and when since our current system is broken. Saying NO NO NO is no longer good enough without providing a viable alternative solution. Something desperately needs to be done and simply saying that this plan is 'no good' does not really solve any problems whatsoever.