Democrats’ vision for technology in health care education are vital to Richard Hill
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
(Idaho Democratic Party)University of Idaho graduate
student Richard Hill does not hesitate
when asked why he supports Barack Obama as
America’s
next president. “Two
major issues,” he says without skipping a beat:
“Technology in education and
health care.”
Before
returning to college to earn an advanced degree
in neurology, Hill was a
software engineer, designing computer platforms
that allow instant access to a
patient’s medical records. But then a critical
illness in his family changed
his life. His sister was diagnosed with
Multiple Sclerosis just two weeks
before she graduated from law school.
“I
have seen firsthand how important it is to
diagnose and treat diseases in their
early stage,” Hill said. While his sister’s
diagnosis was not too late it could
have been caught earlier. “If health care was
more universal in its coverage,
it would been easier as far as her treatments,”
Hill said. Democrats understand
how investment in health care for all will
ensure all families can benefit from
health technology. We need healthy families for
our communities to prosper and
for our nation to
prosper.
America has the technology to
understand human health so much better than we
ever have and we have the
knowledge to prevent so many diseases, it is
irresponsible not to invest in a
system that ensures all people can live healthy
productive lives.
Hill
is troubled by the lack investment in America’s
schools as well – including the
integration of technology so all students have
access to advanced systems, so
all students have an opportunity to succeed.
Math and science are particularly
important to Hill.
“In
order to grasp technology, students must be
given the opportunity to use it at
an early age. Then they can ‘get it,’” he said.
When Hill read that Barack Obama
wants to make sure all schools have access to
technology, he committed to
working to elect him and other Democrats who
also “get it.”
Hill
adds that the excitement over Senator Obama’s
campaign is his natural
leadership that invites people to participate
with him. This is a big
motivation for Hill. “So many people are
energized about his campaign. We had
about 150 Democrats marching in Coeur
d’Alene 4th
of July Parade, with five
national delegates right out in front,” he
said. “That’s really saying
something about how far we have
come.”
