The discussion about the health care reform has reached a fever pitch. From Bloomberg.com columnist Betsy McCaughey's assertion that health care reform could “pressure the elderly to end their lives prematurely,” to allegations that health care restructuring will completely end private insurance, the myths and misconceptions are coming fast.   

Americans need to sort through their fears about this subject, and find out the facts about the proposed changes before dismissing President Obama’s health care plan. 

The numbers speak for themselves: 46 million Americans are without health insurance, 25 millions are underinsured, and employers are having a harder time offering benefits because of the rising costs, according to the National Coalition on Health Care . The health care system in this country is in dire need of help.

I personally believe that health care is a basic human right, and that the president's plan will work.

Before you begin to shoot this column full of holes, I want to point out that I’ve experienced two government run programs first hand. I grew up in Italy with universal health care coverage, and for the last 10 years I’ve been the beneficiary of TRICARE — the government run program offered to military families and cited as one of our most valued “perks.” 

I know government sponsored programs have their issues and drawbacks. Back in Rome, I’ve been in hospitals where the facilities are old, and the wait to have surgery for non-life threatening conditions is months long. But I’ve received good medical care. Most importantly, everyone has good medical care, qualified physicians and nurses, in addition to access to preventative services needed. 

I’ve also experienced the TRICARE bureaucratic machine, but I’ve received care without co-payments, no matter the preexisting condition, the rank, the number of children, the severity of the illness. 

Perhaps you have a good program that allows you to receive services without going to an emergency room. But the way the current system works, even the apparent safety of these programs is at stake, as insurance premiums continue to rise at much higher rates than salaries. 

I can’t convince you that President Obama’s health care reform is the right plan, heck he can’t convince half of the country, but I feel I have to share my view because this issue is too important. Providing health care for Americans will only come closer to the collective and individual strength of what makes this nation great, not propel us into what many fear is huge government and loss of the amazing American spirit. 

Go ahead and call me a socialist, alas those are my roots after all.