When President Barack Obama initially implemented the health care law in 2010, I knew there would be challenges in the future and even a possible bid to overturn it. I took for granted however, the fever in which something that was devised to help people, would cause such contention from political opponents and even the country’s highest court.
The U.S. Supreme Court held a series of hearings this week in reference to the health care reform law. Their largest complaint seems to be the law’s mandate for all Americans to have health insurance, or pay a tax penalty fine.
Data show that younger Americans are less likely to purchase insurance because they are generally healthier and simply don’t feel they need it. Some Supreme Court justices say the mandate is especially unfair to the younger generation.
While those justices may be correct in that regard, it’s important to also look at the needs of the masses. Among those masses are more than 40 million people who do not have health insurance. Their lack of insurance can be attributed to a variety of reasons, including employers not offering it or the fact that many individuals simply cannot afford health insurance. Many of the millions of the uninsured are not eligible for government assistance, so they have to do without quality health care and insurance.
This is not fair for one of the world’s richest countries.
I think it’s a problem when senior citizens only take half of their prescribed medications because they can’t afford the increasing costs of prescription drugs. Nor is it fair that a hard-working mother and father who have health insurance still have to worry about their child’s cancer treatment because their insurance cap is an amount that is considerably less than the treatment needed to sustain their daughter’s life. And it is unfair that a single mother who makes five dollars more than the amount allowed to be considered for government assistance cannot get needed care.
Health care reform is a win-win that needs to stay intact. I hope the Supreme Court understands this before making their ruling on the issue later this year.
One Indianapolis resident said it best when she stated, “If the Supreme Court throws out the mandate for health insurance, then I will cancel my automobile insurance. Isn’t that a mandate as well?”
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From a selfish perspective, it is always sad when someone we love and respect passes away. We find ourselves thinking about the impact the deceased had on our individual lives and we begin to long for them. We want them back to have one more conversation, one more teachable moment, or one more hug.
Anyone who was fortunate enough to know Father Boniface Hardin understands the tremendous void our community now has. In Father Hardin, we had a man who was truly dedicated to the history of our people, was incredibly passionate about life and even more compassionate about people. His steadfast determination to not only educate the community, but to also make Blacks understand their true self-value and purpose in life is a testament to Boniface Hardin the man. He was always himself and he always had a childlike smile and joke to share.
I’m fortunate to have recognized Father’s greatness when he was alive. Every time I sat down with him in a meeting or greeted him at an event, I poised myself to be educated. I knew whatever he had to say, it was going to be worth hearing and it would have a positive impact on me. I knew that his wisdom would make me a better, more centered person.
I remember one day rushing to a community event. As I made my way to the location, I quickly spoke to various people and continued to rush towards my seat. Then I saw Father – with his cheerful smile and that thick white hair. When I reached him, the rushing stopped. Someone like him deserved all of the time he needed to say whatever he wanted. During that quick conversation we talked about the Recorder (he said he was proud of the work we were doing) and we talked about his battle with cancer. I commended him on his courageous spirit to persevere during difficult times personally and even in regards to Martin University. That day, he said something to me that was so profound, I’ve remembered it verbatim and I often use it as a motivating phrase I recite to myself when I’m feeling down.
I told him I’m a quote person and I loved his comment. He told me to keep it close to my heart and use it when I needed to be uplifted. “Don’t go writing about it, Shannon. That one is just for you,” he said with that fun laugh of his.
I’m going to obey him in his death as I did during his life, so I won’t share what he said. I will, however, encourage you to reflect on Father Hardin’s life and his unselfish ways. We can learn so much from such a quality man.
As you reflect on Father Hardin and also the great Chuck Workman, I encourage you to appreciate people while they are still living. Absorb their wisdom like a sponge because they won’t be with us forever. Show them your appreciation while they are alive and they can appreciate you for your thoughtfulness.
There are so many people who have done so much for this community, yet they don’t get the recognition until they die. Give them their flowers while they can still smell them.
You can email comments to Shannon Williams at shannonw@indyrecorder.com.
