Unemployment and unemployment benefits extensions have been on many American’s minds for the past year as more and more unemployed see their benefits expire and watch as the job market stays motionless, all the while Congress seems unaware of these happenings and focused on the healthcare reform bill.
While the healthcare bill can be beneficial and healthcare reform and costs need to be dealt with, should Congress’s priorities be on the job market before they tackle the healthcare dilemma?
Everyone needs healthcare from those who have long-term conditions to anyone who unexpectedly needs access to healthcare. It is no secret that healthcare costs are on the rise and unless an employer has a fantastic plan or you are financially secure enough to just pay out of pocket, a visit to the doctor is going to cost a hefty sum.
There are those who presently need various medications and have conditions that warrant frequent check-ups and procedures, but is the importance of this healthcare bill, at the present time, so vital that people are losing their income, houses, and livelihood, just because no one wants to make a move to find solutions for the unemployed.
People who have been seeking jobs for months have found the job market, that used to be somewhat welcoming, if not an outright open door for anyone looking for employment, to be a cold, hard place where demands are higher and pay is lower. Some are even willing to accept the lower pay, but requirements for the most basic of entry level jobs seem to require a PhD just for one to be considered.
The catch-22 of this problem over healthcare or unemployment is there is a great deal of need on both sides and many elderly, unemployed, or just average people need assistance with their healthcare costs, but countless others are looking at a total collapse of their livelihood since there is no income for them, additional unemployment benefits extensions, or jobs to be had.
Will Congress either set aside worries about healthcare or quickly push the legislation through and move on the unemployment, or will 2010 still be a waiting game for both those in need of healthcare reform and unemployment?
