Health Care: Why We Should Care

We are in the last hour before the Supreme Court rules about President Obama's famous health care law and speculation is abound.  Will it be struck down?  Upheld?  No one is quite sure, but everyone has a guess.

I don't.

Some of you may know that one of my undergraduate degrees is in political science with a focus in law.  I studied for the LSATs and considered going to law school.  I decided instead to get my Masters in journalism.  That being said, I've studied the legal system quite a bit.

So amidst this speculation, this uncertainty and uproar, there is a bigger question than "will this be upheld."  That question is "what are the repercussions?"

"Let's talk about sex, baby......"

It’s one of the best and worst words in the English language.  It makes people uncomfortable.  It makes people excited.  It causes grown men and women to shout at each other, to lose their cool, to forget all decency.  It happens behind closed doors.  It’s talked about in hushed tones.  Gossip magazines make millions off of it.

It’s “sex.”

Once again, it’s taking the media by storm.  The controversial topic has recently been brought up in the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times since a mandate requires religious employers to provide health care access to contraception for their employees.  In the past, many religious (mostly Catholic, it seems) institutions have refused to supply contraceptives to those who receive health care through the institutions, which include universities, hospitals, and charities.

A little background may be needed…