Health care is one of the most virulent issues of our time.
After former President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law in 2011, Republicans in Congress pledged to repeal it. After winning the presidential election in November and holding onto control of both houses of Congress, Republicans vowed to replace the law with their own version of health care, one that would purportedly be more favorable to Americans.
Led by President Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), the GOP failed to even bring their legislation to the floor for a vote, however, marking a stunning defeat for the new president less than three months into his term.
On Long Island, the promised repealing of Obamacare could have severe ramifications, with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo characterizing Republicans’ recent changes as potentially “devastating” statewide.
Politics aside, health care is a major issue that affects all Americans: the uninsured, those with high premiums, insured citizens hobbled by burdensome hospital or prescription drug bills.
On Sunday, April 9, Long Islanders will get a chance to view the pitfalls of the American health care system firsthand during a screening of the documentary, Fix it: Healthcare at the Tipping Point at Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington. The viewing will include state Assemb. Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove) as a guest speaker.
The documentary provides an “in-depth look into how our dysfunctional healthcare system is damaging our economy, suffocating our businesses, discouraging physicians and negatively impacting on the nation’s health, while remaining un-affordable for a third of our citizens,” according to the venue.
The film will also highlight the very real ramifications for Americans struggling to choose between paying for drugs they need and other items they need to survive. The documentary not only covers the problems with America’s health care industry, but it also offers a way out: a single-payer system.
The event is co-sponsored by Action Together Long Island and Long Island Activists.
