So greedy we deny others health care?

I am writing this letter at the request of our president in an effort to prevent reversion to a more restricted and exclusive time. I graduated college in 2010, and did not find a job in the field I wanted, which means I do not have my own health insurance. Neither did eight of my fellow music education majors, since we are cutting music programs left and right.

My graduating class is doing what we can: working at coffee shops, substitute teaching and doing private lessons. However, without so-called “Obama-care,” none of us would have health insurance. I am still (luckily) on my parents' insurance, and am able to get the care I need. As a teacher, it is hard to find time to go to the bathroom, so I am prone to having UTIs. My most recent one would have cost me about $8,000 without insurance. Does that not seem a little ridiculous to you?

On the other side of the issue, my husband, for various reasons, is unable to receive health insurance. Still. We are waiting for the day he gets injured or sick, and we will have to go to the hospital. Because we are hardworking Americans with five jobs between the two of us, we make too much for public insurance, but cannot afford nonemergency private insurance. If we repeal what we have already accomplished, then both of us will be without health care.

Tell me, who out there truly believes people should not be allowed to be healthy? It seems absurd to me that human beings want to deny basic health needs to others simply because they do not want to pay for others. Are we truly that greedy and self-serving that we are not willing to give part of our income and easy lifestyle to those who truly need our help?

Emily Langworthy

Addison