What does the health care bill just passed by the House conceal? The nationwide health coverage means mandatory coverage. If your employer does not pay for it and you don't get it from the government, there is only one option left: you have to pay for it yourself.

According to the project that was just approved by the House of Representatives, each and every person in the United States should have health coverage. The people who currently have no health insurance will be able to, or to be more precise, have to purchase it from the government. The poorest will get funding for it and some will get coverage through work, but there will be a sizable group of not too well-off Americans who will have to pay for the coverage out of their own pockets. If they decide not to get insurance, they will have to pay a fine that may amount to $1,500; however, the Senate, which is to deliberate on the future of the bill, is expected to lower the amount.

Just like in Poland, health coverage will be mandatory nationwide. There is a difference, however, since in the United States, those with private coverage will not be forced to purchase the government option. In Poland, the government insurance is mandatory for all those who are employed. Whether they want it or not, part of their paycheck goes to the national health fund, regardless of whether they purchase health coverage through private providers.

President Barack Obama, the designer of the American nationwide health coverage system, has pointed out many times that he just wants Americans to have health coverage. But at what costs to the regular Joe or Jane? That still remains unclear.

Critics are already predicting that the costs of the bill will not be covered by employers but rather, will be dumped on the workers. Business owners may simply stop paying health insurance premiums knowing that the worker will be obliged to purchase coverage anyway.

Undocumented immigrants will not be covered by government health insurance, an issue that has provoked protest among some Latino congressmen.

Health care reform is the most important task being undertaken by the current administration. The House of Representatives passed it smoothly but it may encounter opposition in the Senate. Even if the Senate passes the bill, it will take three years to put into effect.

Reforming the American health care system has been compared to other historical changes in the United States, like the introduction of Social Security in the 1930s, or of Medicare in the 1960s, which provides health insurance for retirees. Nationwide health care coverage will change the United States to resemble European societies.