Health care is an issue President Barack Obama has begun to implement. His new health care reform plan would solve the high health care costs that prevent many people from seeking health insurance and puts a larger emphasis on the investment in prevention and public health.  President Barack Obama presented his plan to a joint session of Congress on Thursday, Sep. 10 that instituted strong opposition and support nationwide.

Many students have formed opinions on the health care debate, especially after watching his address to Congress.  “I thought [the speech] was very inspiring,” junior Fallon Burklew said.

Burklew feels that many of the Republicans who opposed to the new health care plan has been spreading “rumors meant to scare the public.”

Some Chantilly students are more excited for what the plan promises to bring.

Health care is an issue President Barack Obama has begun to implement. His new health care reform plan would solve the high health care costs that prevent many people from seeking health insurance and puts a larger emphasis on the investment in prevention and public health.  President Barack Obama presented his plan to a joint session of Congress on Thursday, Sep. 10 that instituted strong opposition and support nationwide.

Many students have formed opinions on the health care debate, especially after watching his address to Congress.  “I thought [the speech] was very inspiring,” junior Fallon Burklew said.

Burklew feels that many of the Republicans who opposed to the new health care plan has been spreading “rumors meant to scare the public.”

Some Chantilly students are more excited for what the plan promises to bring.

“I feel that if Obama does get this health care plan passed then this would be great, because there are people who cannot afford health care because of the age that they are at or because of their financial status,” senior and co-president of the Young Democrats Club Sherif Marzouk said.

He believes, like many other supporters of the president’s new health care plan, that the government should have the ability to maintain the health of the citizens nationwide, rather than letting private insurance companies control the issue.

Not all students agree with the new health care plan.  Many of the students who watched the speech felt disillusioned or skeptic of President Obama’s new reform. 

“I thought it was horrible because I don’t think he can actually do all the things that he said,” senior Melissa Holton said.  “It felt like it was just a bunch of talk and he can’t back it up.” 

Since many opposed to the plan question where the money will be coming form and if this means that higher taxes will be necessary to fund the health care plan.

“I don’t think that health care should be universal because the quality of health care will go down,” senior Zach Dequilla said.

He like many others opposed to the new plan feel that it may too cumbersome of an initiative and may sacrifice quality for quantity.  Dequilla likened the future health care plan to “waiting in line for the DMV.”

Some Chantilly students show concern for the future of medical practice in the United States if President Obama’s health care plan is passed.

“[His] health care plan does not provide any benefits for doctors at all,” Senior Shahleen Ahmed said.
Ahmed brought to light another issue with the health care plan perhaps not considered by many.

“Patients can sue a doctor and ruin them financially, and due to the cost reductions, doctors cannot even practice defensive medicine,” Ahmed said. 

It is a debate that warrants the attention, regardless of political views, of many Chantilly students as it will most definitely determine the future of health care of our generation and generations to come will have.

In a poll of 200 students taken during lunch on Sept. 23, 90% said they have health care.