In 2010, a bill was passed ensuring the poor, sick, elderly and women the possibility to live healthy lifestyles for the first time. I am, of course, referring to the Affordable Care Act. In a developed nation, hailed as a great superpower, most people believe (our founders among them) that we all have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Quite obviously, if Americans’ personal health cannot be properly maintained, we won’t have ‘the right to life’ nor ‘liberty’ (and many would find it difficult to ‘pursue happiness’).

 

Yet, in the name of these same ideals, opponents of the Affordable Care Act fought it tooth and nail, bringing our political system to a screeching halt last Fall. How, then, does Obamacare simultaneously infringe, and protect, the rights with which we so closely identify?

The new law will raise tax dollars on some 5 million Americans. In addition, 30 million people with private health insurance will have to pay more for a different insurance plan since their old plans don’t meet new minimum coverage standards. Still, at the heart of the issue, opponents of the law are upset for one reason; an individual should not be forced to pay for something especially if that something is directly benefiting others. Paying for others violates their right to ‘liberty.’

 

Many of these people identify as individualists, striving to preserve their private liberty and freedoms at all costs. They prefer to be unfettered by the burdens of society, separated from the responsibility that a system of laws demands from its citizens. Some liken themselves to a John Wayne character – toting a gun and riding a horse across uncharted Western landscape. Unfortunately, we don’t live in the picturesque ‘Wild Wild West’ dream. Our lives aren’t cut off from one another, inside a vacuum.

 

In fact, in today’s 21st century, Americans lives are more interconnected than ever before. In the world, it is theorized that we are all 6 degrees away from one another. Put differently, everyone is connected to each other through a link of no more than 5 acquaintances. One can imagine how much closer we are to each other within the confines of America. Socially, professionally, financially, and now, even digitally, people’s lives are interconnected. For this reason, our rights, as well as our lives, are intertwined.

 

Relying on others for innumerable tasks requires that we uphold everyone’s rights. It’s simple logic – if we don’t take care of others, who will take care of us? We depend on others to make our food, educate us, provide us global news, and of course, preserve our health. We don’t live in an American utopia with only ourselves (and our steed) to care for. Americans live under laws that intricately connect all of our lives. Therefore, it is necessary for those with liberty – the wealthy and healthy – to provide others the same liberties from which they’ve benefited.

It is, of course, not the fault of those who earn a substantial living that many remain without health care. The problem is systematic. Before the ACA was enacted, people were prevented from attaining their inherent rights to liberty. Today, many lack financial security, or the good fortune of being healthy. It is the responsibility of our system to correct this mistake, providing all rights equally, including those without such fortune.

 

Taxpayers may not be happy now, but in future years the law will pay dividends. Young (typically healthy) citizens are now covered, alleviating the laws’ expense. The sick and poor can receive preventive health care (without relying on emergency rooms), creating less financial strain on the health care system. Each American, regardless of health predisposition, class, age or gender is adopted into the system, accelerating people’s education and career attainment, thereby facilitating millions towards the American Dream.

 

If it is a question of liberty, we can deny millions health care and save the upper- middle class tax money. However, to deny millions health care stymies Americans’ social as well as financial potential, obstructing them from ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’ Living interconnected lives increases everyone’s responsibility for one another. Without such systematic responsibility, liberty is not diminished, but rather eliminated from millions seeking natural freedoms.