BY SHARON MARTIN

I’m not often prone to violence, but recently I had to resist the urge to kick someone in the shin. This person was praising the Oklahoma Legislature for its decision to join the lawsuit against health care reform.

I understand that the lawsuit is symbolic; there’s no chance they can get health care reform repealed.

What really brought on the urge to kick was this statement: “I’m in favor of health care reform, just not this health care reform.”

What a cop out! We’ve been batting around health care reform since the days of Teddy Roosevelt. If not now, when are we going to get it done? I have a couple more questions, too.

Can you explain the financial expedience of uninsured citizens?

What is wrong with every citizen having access to quality health care?

Isn’t it smarter to prevent disease with good care rather than waiting until we have to treat catastrophic illnesses?

Should a person ever have to choose between health care and rent, between filling prescriptions and eating?

Doesn’t it make economic sense to have a healthy, educated work force?

Should a person have to decide between a low-paying job and quitting so she can qualify for Medicaid?

I’m sorry that our Congress didn’t have the courage to vote on universal coverage, or at least the public option, but I’m grateful that we’ve begun the process of reform.

We need healthy workers so this country can prosper. Health care reform makes good economic sense.

And that doesn’t even begin to address the morality of the issue.

– Sharon Martin lives in Oilton, OK and is a regular contributor to The Oklahoma Observer