George Smith
Apr 21, 2010
Undergraduate / "I have no health insurance" - Transfer Essay E- Important Issue [12]
Here are the instructions:
E
Personal Essay
Choose an issue of importance to you - the issue could be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope - and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation.
Here is my essay- it is very rough, as I just wrote it all in one sitting and in one flow. This is actually my second time applying to UT, as my first application was denied. I am completely re-writing my E Topic essay and transfer resume, since I believe these were the weakest parts of my first application. Any help would be greatly appreciated. And without further ado:
G. Andrew Smith
Topic E Essay for University of Texas Transfer Application
Hello, my name is George, and I have no health insurance. I am 32 years old, a server in the restaurant industry, engaged to be married, own my own house, and am attending school to pursue a career in software engineering. I cannot afford health insurance, yet I cannot afford any accident or sickness which require a hospital visit. I cannot afford annual checkups, preventative medical exams, or dental cleanings. I have a vested interest in the outcomes of the heath care bill.
I watch the debates and follow the news regarding the progress of the current health care reform and I have feelings of hope and despair at the same time. I am not a political creature. I have my views and I vote, but I do not want to run for political office or attend a political protest or rally. I consider myself relatively well informed, yet I do not understand why health care reform is proving so difficult. I look to other first world nations and see that they have health care for their citizens. Those programs are not without faults, but they do work better than nothing. We have nothing right now. If I were to break my arm, I would be stuck with a bill for well over 1500 USD. The lowest monthly health insurance plan my fiance and I qualify for is priced at 600 USD per month for the two of us. If I were to break my arm in London as a tourist, I would owe nothing. If I went to Canada, France, or Germany, I would owe nothing. Health care costs are not only lower per person in these nations, but is provided to their citizens with little to no upfront costs. Yes, taxes are higher, but the quality of life is about the same. I can earn the same amount of money as in the United States, get taxed more, have more civil services, and enjoy the same quality of life. Why would I not want that?
The debates surrounding health care have bordered on the absurd. Hearing one tragically misinformed political figure slam the health care reform bill because of "death panels" being included in end of life counseling amuses me. Hearing ordinary citizens take up the rallying cry of "death panels" without knowing what they are talking about saddens me. I have read much of the reform bill and many articles fact checking politicians' talking points. I learned that there are no "death panels" deciding the fates of our sick and elderly. I leaned that there are provisions for optional end of life counseling included in the bill, as in counseling family members on the options they have for the end of life care of their loved one. I learned that the fear-mongering tactics using this particular issue originated with President Bill Clinton's attempt at universal health care reform. Back then it was a successful tactic, so it is being used again. Why are socialized programs so threatening to some people when we already have two socialized medical programs: MediCare and Medicaid. Why is Social Security not being protested against, or public schools, or public roads? These are socialized programs, meant for anyone to use and paid for by everyone. I view health care as another program which will benefit from being socialized.
The health care bill is a very large step towards a better America. Not everyone will agree with this, and that is fine. It is my opinion, and it is how I will vote and participate in our democracy. As of now, there are still many issues being worked out before the bill can be implemented. The dissenting voices are many, and they are loud. Party tactics will continue to play a large role in how the final bill will be structured. I have put my faith in Obama and his administration to take the steps necessary so universal health care may one day become a reality, and not just a political platform. I will continue to follow the developments and I will continue to voice my opinion through my votes. By participating in our democracy, I can help shape our future.
Here are the instructions:
E
Personal Essay
Choose an issue of importance to you - the issue could be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope - and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation.
Here is my essay- it is very rough, as I just wrote it all in one sitting and in one flow. This is actually my second time applying to UT, as my first application was denied. I am completely re-writing my E Topic essay and transfer resume, since I believe these were the weakest parts of my first application. Any help would be greatly appreciated. And without further ado:
G. Andrew Smith
Topic E Essay for University of Texas Transfer Application
Hello, my name is George, and I have no health insurance. I am 32 years old, a server in the restaurant industry, engaged to be married, own my own house, and am attending school to pursue a career in software engineering. I cannot afford health insurance, yet I cannot afford any accident or sickness which require a hospital visit. I cannot afford annual checkups, preventative medical exams, or dental cleanings. I have a vested interest in the outcomes of the heath care bill.
I watch the debates and follow the news regarding the progress of the current health care reform and I have feelings of hope and despair at the same time. I am not a political creature. I have my views and I vote, but I do not want to run for political office or attend a political protest or rally. I consider myself relatively well informed, yet I do not understand why health care reform is proving so difficult. I look to other first world nations and see that they have health care for their citizens. Those programs are not without faults, but they do work better than nothing. We have nothing right now. If I were to break my arm, I would be stuck with a bill for well over 1500 USD. The lowest monthly health insurance plan my fiance and I qualify for is priced at 600 USD per month for the two of us. If I were to break my arm in London as a tourist, I would owe nothing. If I went to Canada, France, or Germany, I would owe nothing. Health care costs are not only lower per person in these nations, but is provided to their citizens with little to no upfront costs. Yes, taxes are higher, but the quality of life is about the same. I can earn the same amount of money as in the United States, get taxed more, have more civil services, and enjoy the same quality of life. Why would I not want that?
The debates surrounding health care have bordered on the absurd. Hearing one tragically misinformed political figure slam the health care reform bill because of "death panels" being included in end of life counseling amuses me. Hearing ordinary citizens take up the rallying cry of "death panels" without knowing what they are talking about saddens me. I have read much of the reform bill and many articles fact checking politicians' talking points. I learned that there are no "death panels" deciding the fates of our sick and elderly. I leaned that there are provisions for optional end of life counseling included in the bill, as in counseling family members on the options they have for the end of life care of their loved one. I learned that the fear-mongering tactics using this particular issue originated with President Bill Clinton's attempt at universal health care reform. Back then it was a successful tactic, so it is being used again. Why are socialized programs so threatening to some people when we already have two socialized medical programs: MediCare and Medicaid. Why is Social Security not being protested against, or public schools, or public roads? These are socialized programs, meant for anyone to use and paid for by everyone. I view health care as another program which will benefit from being socialized.
The health care bill is a very large step towards a better America. Not everyone will agree with this, and that is fine. It is my opinion, and it is how I will vote and participate in our democracy. As of now, there are still many issues being worked out before the bill can be implemented. The dissenting voices are many, and they are loud. Party tactics will continue to play a large role in how the final bill will be structured. I have put my faith in Obama and his administration to take the steps necessary so universal health care may one day become a reality, and not just a political platform. I will continue to follow the developments and I will continue to voice my opinion through my votes. By participating in our democracy, I can help shape our future.