The central issue in the health care debate has been lost.
The issue is not whether people should have access to insurance and at what cost. The issue is not whether people who choose not to have it should be compelled to do so - for the public good. The issue is not that we will have to subsidize those individuals without insurance coverage who go to emergency rooms - we do that now. The issue is not people being denied coverage. The issue is not the portability of policies. The issue is not that anyone wants to see people go without coverage or treatment.
The issue is this. The government should not be the one to provide it.
We live in a free market economy. If we don't like insureance companies, we are free (in a general sense) to form a new insurance company or shop for one with better terms. I would love to see the free market pull the rug out from under some of the high-priced carriers. Wake them up. Look what Walmarts's $4 and $10 drug prices did. Same idea.
The other part of this equation is that we have become spoiled. We expect no out-of-pocket expenses for anything medically related and even resent a $20-25 copay. If insurance paid for large or unexpected expenses such as hospitalization, extended care, diagnostic tests, and necessary prescriptions above a certain threshold, I could live with that. In fact I have and continue to do so.
Let's not forget the real issue. The Constitution does not allow Congress to get involved in health care (I know they already have, but we can stop it now before it gets any worse). That is the only issue in this debate, and hardly anyone is willing to look past all of the emotional ones to see what is really at the core.
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Steve,
Great post and I agree with you on that one. Why should I have to pay for someone else's health insurance, which in a sense I already do if you think about. My taxes goes to people who get insurance through the state and who are to lazy to look for work, because they want the government to take care of them. After all, if it doesn't cost them anything, and it's free, why not take it. Unfortunatly, it is that kind of abuse that puts a limit on how much people who really need it can get.
Radmila,
Thank you for your agreement. We have become an entitlement-mentality population. :)
Steve
I agree, Steve. We have a president who is a civil rights lawyer and is one of the first to file a lawsuit against banks who were not lending to Acorn customers who could not make payments. That is his perspective: share the wealth. I am with you. The free market will determine the best health care at the best price as long as we keep government out of this arena. Of course, with all the health care lobbyists gladhanding our corrupt congressional members, it won't be easy.
Guy,
Thank you. You are so right that it's not going to be easy, but look how hard it's going to be if we go the entitlement route. :)
Steve
Absolutely ciorrect in your raming of the debate - this should not be a federal government issue. The government could initiate tort reform and lift restrictions on interstate access and portability. But after that it should be up to each state to determine what is best for them and not to encourage further government spending or growth. If the private insurance system needs an overhaul, so be it - but no more federal programs insinuating themselves into our private lives.
For one thing, calling it health insurance is becoming technically incorrect... It is just a payment plan. Maybe the cost would go down if we went back to it being insurance.
Gene,
Well said. Thanks for your agreement and support. :)
Steve
Lane,
Good observation. Point well taken. :)
Steve
Health Care Reform is just an attempt to get more money into a system that is already broke. They have overpromised and it is now time to deliver. So they cooked up this scheme to take the profits of free enterprise to continue their bankrupt system instead of just overhauling it. The government is the largest user of health care in the world. Don't mess with mine.