By now, we all know that Republicans are unwaveringly against The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), which they labeled “Obamacare.”  This universal health care bill seeks to give all Americans access to affordable healthcare, and there is no Republican alternative.

Prior to the PPACA, if you had a life-threatening illness that required some medical procedure or treatment, and you did not have health insurance or the money to pay out-of-pocket, you would die.  It was that simple.  Comprehensive health insurance coverage is the only way most of us can continue to live if faced with a life-threatening illness. 

We are not a country that puts profits before human life.  We are not a country that allows health insurance companies to drop customers when they become ill. We are a country that places high value on human life. 

While I am convinced that most Republicans share the same high regard for life, lobbyists that insist on profits first and the Tea Party are apparently blinding our Republican representatives.

During a recent Republican presidential debate, the host asked the question, “How should we handle an uninsured patient with a life-threatening illness?”  Some of the members of the audience shouted, “Let him die!” Those members of the audience were not admonished for their callous remark, and not one of the candidates agreed that the uninsured patient should have a chance at life.

As an aside, we already pay for the acute care of millions of uninsured Americans and others. In addition, universal health care allows for better preventative care and avoids the more expensive acute care (resulting from neglect) that often requires hospitalization.

Again, are Republicans really pro-life?