When you hear that the number of people without health insurance in the United States rose by a record 8.6 percent to 50.7 million, it makes you wonder why there was so much resistance to health care reform.

The percentage of Americans without health insurance jumped to 16.7 percent from 15.4 percent over the last year, the Census Bureau reports. Of course, the large number of people who have lost their jobs over the last year is part of the problem. But a study from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that the cost of health care is quickly rising. Employees now pay 47 percent more for coverage now than they did in 2005 while employers are seeing increases of 20 percent.

The new health care legislation signed into effect by President Barack Obama will eventually provide coverage to another 32 million people. However, many of the provisions in the law do not take effect until 2014.

"If ever one needed an affirmation about how essential the Affordable Care Act is, this is that affirmation," Ron Pollack, executive director of the health consumers group Families USA told USA Today. "The clear message for people now is that help will be on the way."

The question is will it be fast enough? Instead of talking about repealing health care reform, incoming Republicans should be looking at ways to strengthen the bill.



Simply put, these numbers are frightening. Of course, African Americans are affected more by the lack of health insurance. The United States can no longer sweep this problem under the rug. The wealthiest country in the history of the world must find a way to get people access to what is universally acknowledged as a human right.

And contrary to the wide spread belief that those with health insurance aren't working hard enough, 75 percent of those 50 million people have jobs.

It signifies a shift in American society. The Huffington Post writes:

The study underscores the degree to which the recession has accelerated the loss of basic elements once viewed as inextricable pieces of a middle class life. The number of Americans lacking medical coverage now exceeds the population of Spain.

But the only reason this is allowed to persist is that we let it. Americans have fallen for the false rhetoric being bandied about regarding the need for health care reform: We are heading toward a socialist society; Death panels will decide whether the elderly can live or die.

This death panel issue came up again recently as Medicare regulations go into effect that will pay doctors to counsel patients about end of life planning. This is something that will help people plan in advance what they want to happen in emergency situations. It will also help cut down on medical waste. The New York Times reports:

The administration also cited research by Dr. Stacy M. Fischer, an assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, who found that "end-of-life discussions between doctor and patient help ensure that one gets the care one wants." In this sense, Dr. Fischer said, such consultations "protect patient autonomy."

That's right. Far from the government controlling your life, patients are given the power to individually decide, with the proper information, what they want to happen during a time we all must face. That sounds like freedom, not government control.

So, wake up Americans. Do the research and decide for yourself. Get in touch with your compassion. With 50.7 million people, one in six, without health insurance, some of them have to be your friends and families. Seventy-five percent of those who are not covered have jobs. Don't think it can't happen to you one day.