Healthcare and Clyde: What the debate means to you

Recently I read in the Cleveland Plain Dealer an article about the cancer cluster in the Clyde area.  Our community has lost some of its most outstanding young people in the past half decade, and many other lives have been effected in ways most of us don't understand, and in ways those outside of our community cannot fathom.  Our voices have not remained silent, and we have been heard, as the investigation trudges along as to the root of the problem.
Likewise, I recently also read an interview with Sherrod Brown, our Senator, regarding his passion for healthcare, and also a story about him speaking with Clyde's own Warren Brown about the tragic and heroic struggle of Alexa.  Then, on the other side of the world, I had a realization.  These two issues are linked, and unfortunately tragic results can be the outcome.
Clyde, right now, as part of Sandusky county is facing unemployment over 10 per cent, and real unemployment is likely significantly higher.  Regrettably, this likely means that same amount of people are uninsured.  And, likewise, the real number of uninsured people in the area is significantly higher.
There is significant reason to debate government's role in the healthcare industry.  There is not, however, a significant reason to argue covering a terminally ill child.  It is not a stretch of the imagination to see how both of these trends will intersect, if they are not already.  The people of Clyde need to have a way to access affordable insurance, and to have the knowledge that in a worst case scenario their insurance will not be dropped.  How many cases occur before insurance companies refuse to insure our children?  Where do we turn then?
Whether the government runs the entire healthcare industry or not, in some way, shape or form there need to be guarantees that profits will not be put ahead of the children of our community receiving the care they need, an outcome that sounds and seems all to likely.  Healthcare reform does not need to be strong, or even include a public option, but it needs to happen, to be enforced, and to be effective.  If for any reason, it's to protect our kids, families and community.