Many have lived by the motto, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Well, America’s healthcare system was broke.

Some may argue that the system was fine, but when asthma can be considered a preexisting condition and can be used as a reason to deny an individual health insurance, something is wrong.

Thankfully, President Obama recognized this issue and vowed to fix the problem. A reformation of our health care system was a cornerstone of his presidential campaign; it was part of the change that people voted for.

Now, even before the law has taken full effect (the law will not be fully implemented until 2014), Republicans seek to dismantle the legislation; they are willing to forget about the 30 million Americans who were without health insurance, claiming that the law is government overreach.

Excuse me, but I consider it the responsibility of government to take care of its people.

As if that isn’t enough, Republicans do not even have a counterproposal.

They plan to destroy the Affordable Care Act and leave America as it was before the legislation, that is, full of individuals who do not have access to affordable healthcare.

My question is this, “Will the Republicans really play with the lives of the American people, all in hopes of political gain?” Sadly, the answer appears to be yes.

The fact of the matter is that the Affordable Care Act will be, and already is, very beneficial to Americans, while a repeal would be detrimental to our society.

Prior to the passage of this legislation, America was the only industrialized nation that did not guarantee its citizens a right to health care.

Harvard Medical School researchers have estimated that 45,000 people die annually due to a lack of health insurance.

This means that every 12 minutes somebody dies because they do not have insurance. Are we really going to overlook this? Will we continue to allow insurance companies to decide who is doomed to die?

Approximately 129 million Americans have a preexisting condition, meaning that over 40 percent of Americans can be denied, or charged more for coverage as a result of something that is out of their control. Is this not viewed as an absolute abomination?

The Affordable Care Act prevents insurance companies from committing the atrocities that so many have already been subject to. Children born with disabilities can no longer be denied coverage, nor can women who are pregnant.

The law prevents health care from being capped so that nobody has to worry about losing their insurance if they get sick. Insurance companies can no longer arbitrarily raise premiums without accountability. These companies will be forced to show why an increase in premiums is necessary.

It will ensure that 80 percent of every dollar you pay for insurance actually goes towards your care.

If it doesn’t, then your insurance company will be forced to either lower your premium, or reimburse you for the difference.

The legislation greatly benefits our seniors, too. It provides them with free preventative care, cheaper prescription medication, and Medicare that they can rely on.

With so many positive aspects, one must ask himself or herself, “Why do Republicans despise this legislation?”

Sadly, the answer is politics. This is unacceptable. Our politicians are elected to serve us, to ensure that if we get sick our only option is not just to die.

It’s time that we let our elected officials know that we support those who need health care, and that they should, too.

Christopher Wilson

Ironton