As every Presidential election comes and goes, one issue that is discussed in healthcare. This is a topic that always seems to get attention, which is essentially the United States operates with a system that believes in employee-based health coverage with some government intervention when it comes to seniors, children and those who fall within a certain specialized category.

For most of the working class, citizens depend on their place of employment with a group health insurance policy in order to be treated for illness. The problem with our healthcare system is not the quality of care; it's the way in which it's available.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 43.6 million people of all ages were uninsured in 2006. Clearly, the United States doesn't mandate that all of its citizens receive healthcare and receiving treatment is seen as a benefit of employment.

Another issue that has come up during the election is the ability to create jobs. In order to explore this issue, we must look at what creates jobs. It has been the entrepreneurs that have formed companies that now employ many Long Islanders.

In order to create more jobs, we must encourage small businesses to grow. The problem is that, because of the healthcare system we have, people who are presently in their jobs cannot take a leap of faith and start their own business. In order to do that, they would have to buy an individual healthcare plan as they begin their business and that is simply too expensive. For example, a 38-year-old self-employed male can apply for a plan through GHI that would cost $469.65 a month just for an individual. That's a tough way for a small business owner to start off.

Americans find themselves employed by a business or company that has a group health insurance plan and because they need health insurance, cannot financially start their own business. Our healthcare system discourages the start-up of new businesses and is a major hurdle to prospective entrepreneurs. They must stay in the jobs that grant them health insurance as an employee benefit and thus the growth of new businesses is hampered.

The disturbing fact is that the healthcare system is unlikely to change. That's because those who make the decisions as to what healthcare system is best for Americans, those on Capitol Hill and in the White House, have the best healthcare one could ask for. There is no motivation for them to change the system. In addition, the healthcare industry produces some of the largest campaign contributors who influence elected officials to maintain the status quo because the status quo is what's best for the healthcare industry, which includes the pharmaceutical and insurance companies.

If members of Congress lost their health insurance plan, you can bet they would act pretty quickly to change the healthcare system.

- Joe Rizza