Healthcare, Race and Gender

As health care takes the stage as the most debated issue in current politics and the issue of race somehow becomes intertwined in the dispute, the question of a causal relationship between the two seems almost instinctual. While some people vehemently argue that the opposition to health care reform is racially motivated, I believe that the opposition that has arisen over the past few weeks is due to the fact that healthcare is an inherently controversial topic that, no matter who proposes reform, will spark debate. If Hillary Clinton was to propose the exact same legislation, there is little doubt in my mind that the reaction wouldn’t be the exact same. The color of Obama’s skin was obviously not a factor that prevented him from getting elected and therefore sends a clear signal that America is not that preoccupied with racial issues as to completely reject a health care proposal on the basis of race.

The main issue here is the issue of health care reform, not race or gender or any other controversial topic that will only fill space in newspaper columns and instigate partisan debates. Perhaps I am being naïve and somewhat idealistic when I say this, but there would be controversy over any health care reform that inconvenienced anyone, financially or otherwise. I may be speaking for myself when I make this generalization, but the population does not care who proposes the bill, what color their skin is or whether they are male or female—when it comes to financial issues, especially those related to health, people just care how it affects them and their families and will undoubtedly oppose legislation that negatively impacts their own well-being.