Posted 1:22 am Monday, July 09, 2012
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East Texans Speak Out On Health Care Decision
Jacob Walla, 19, Tyler
Walla can see good aspects to both sides of the argument. He believes that it has promising advantages in the future, but many are creating too much hysteria about the mandate.
"I think that it's being sensationalized by both sides," he said. "A lot of conservatives are ignoring the potential benefits. I also don't agree with the liberals who are saying this is the greatest thing ever."
As a college student, he has been denied health care at his university on several occasions because of two minor past ailments. With these experiences in mind, he feels the mandate will benefit him in the future when he becomes independent of his parents' insurance plan.
"I think it's a good thing, just with bad parts," he said.
Rachel Jennische, 25, Lindale
Mrs. Jennische believes that
"I think it should be up to the individual and their budget if they want health care, not the government," she said.
In her experience, lack of health insurance has actually benefited her rather than paying for insurance on a regular basis.
"I've been without health insurance before, and it's been a lot cheaper to pay cash at a doctor's visit than pay the premium," she said.
Dr. Mack Stewart, baby boomer, Tyler
Against the mandate, Dr. Stewart believes doctors will become more inefficient in time and not have as many patients, yet more paperwork. He said while it will not affect him now, his children will eventually be the ones to pay for it.
"It's a loss of personal freedom. It has nothing to do with health care," he said. "It's the government telling you how to live your life."
Laura Fry, Tyler
Ms. Fry has worked in the medical field for more than 30 years. She said that while there needs to be a change in the health care system, the recent mandate is not the answer.
"I can't understand what needs to be done," she said. "But there doesn't need to be a penalty attached to it. That is not fixing the problem, it's adding to it."
Patricia Bedancourt, Tyler
Ms. Bedancourt is a single mom of three and thinks the new mandate is a good idea.
"I currently don't have health insurance," she said. "I think it is good for people like those in the middle class who have money but maybe not enough to afford health insurance."
Hilary Bain, Tyler
Ms. Bain opposes the health care mandate and is concerned about the cost it poses for citizens.
"It will affect everyone one way or another," she said. "Someone is going to have to pay for it."
-- Compiled by staff writers Brittni Barnett and Taylor Griffin
