Before every sporting event I attended growing up I heard the words sung, "O'er the land of the free." I have always cherished the freedoms I enjoy as an American, but now I am seeing some of those freedoms we enjoy as Americans being limited. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) was passed in 2010 and in the year 2014 will continue to roll-out as the largest health care reform this country has ever seen.
With this reform the freedom of individuals, families, and businesses will be limited. Individuals and families will now be required to have adequate health care coverage (meaning most will have to acquire coverage they don't need) or pay a penalty based on the size of the family. Businesses with 50+ employees are required to provide health insurance or pay a fee of $2,000 per employee. If they do offer coverage but that coverage doesn't meet government regulations that fee rises to $3,000 per employee.
In this time of change, every American should be asking, is giving up my freedom worth it? Benjamin Franklin once said, "People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both."
Jesse Eichelberger
Provo