CHRISTOPHER SISK

Sophomore accounting major from San Antonio in response to the recently passed health care bill

The health care bill, HR-3200, passed March 21 is the single greatest attack on American liberties in the history of this country. Even more appalling is the lack of information that has been made available to the public. Throughout the media, few reports mention the $2 billion Washington will take from the medical device manufacturers, in addition to the 2.9 percent excise tax (Sect. 1405 and 9009), the $4.2 billion from the companies who manufacture new, life-saving drugs (Sect. 9008), the $6.7 billion from the insurance companies (Sect. 9010), the 40 percent tax on high-dollar health plans (Sect. 9001), or the various restrictions on hospital expansion. This taxation, which will result in increased rates, has been pushed under the rug by the media because it shows this bill was not about helping Americans but about controlling one-sixth of the economy and increasing the dependence of Americans on a party that does not share the principles of this country.

In addition, the only portion of the student loan amendment regularly mentioned is the portion regarding the subsidy cut. However, the media has failed to mention this amendment also eliminates banks from issuing private student loans. These account for not only a significant proportion of banking activity but also a large portion of students’ funding. More than likely, this will significantly harm our economy as many will be forced to forego college due to expenses or spend less over their lifetime due to the increased cost of paying their college loans.

Furthermore, the assertion by the White House that this new legislation will take the insurance companies “out of the driver’s seat” is yet another example of the hubris of this administration specifically and those in Washington in general. They think legislation originally written by a former WellPoint vice president and nearly identical to the plan created by the AHIP will be harmful to insurance companies. It is time this country once again became a country of, by and for the people instead of being subjects to egotistical individuals in their ivory towers.