Selling health care reform – the myths and realities

Philip Klien has a piece today in The American Spectator on the myths and realities of the Democrat’s push to get the federal government even more involved with health care than they are today.

Klien takes a quick look at the following myths, and you should read the full article even if it is only a recap of what has been reported the last few weeks. I still say the federal government has no authorization to be involved with health care at all since it’s not a responsibility delegated in the United States Constitution (read more), but plenty of Republicans (they seem to ignore the Constitution as well) still seem to think the federal government must do something… Ugh.

Myths

  • The United States has a free market health care system
  • 46 million Americans are without health care
  • Universal health care will save money, because we’re already picking up the tab for the uninsured when they obtain care they don’t pay for
  • Investing in preventive care will save money in the long run
  • Other countries spend less than the U.S., but get better health care in return.

Klien sums up, but refers to a health care crisis. I’m not convinced at all that we’re in a health care crisis. That word is used so frequently to describe any issue that it has totally lost its own credibility (poor word)…

AS CONSERVATIVES PUSH BACK against the prospect of a government takeover of health care in the U.S., it’s imperative that they educate Americans on the true nature of the crisis. For instance, once a person understands how much government already tinkers with the current system, or what is actually behind the statistic of 46 million being uninsured, he will be more open to arguments in favor of a truly free market system. In such a system, the tax status of health insurance could be made fairer, so that individuals enjoy the same benefits for purchasing coverage on their own as others do when getting their health care through their employers. This would also allow them to take their insurance with them from job to job. In addition, they would also have more choices among plans if they could purchase insurance across state lines and not be held hostage by onerous regulations that force them to purchase more insurance than they need. And if they understood the actual costs and tradeoffs involved in moving toward a government-run system, they would be less likely to embrace one. Conservatives may still have a difficult time blunting the momentum in the current health care fight, but they won’t stand a chance unless they attack the underlying premises of the other side.

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Steve McGough

Steve's a part-time conservative blogger. Steve grew up in Connecticut and has lived in Washington, D.C. and the Bahamas. He resides in Connecticut, where he’s comfortable six months of the year.

3 Comments

  1. theignorantfisherman on July 21, 2009 at 6:53 pm

    All it is a powergrab! The state is god to these Leftist despots. Power is an addiction. they can never ever get enough!! Wake up America fascim is coming!



  2. theignorantfisherman on July 21, 2009 at 6:59 pm

    I needed a kidney transplant and all I got was this lousy T-shirt and a 3 year waiting notice. the topic heading should be "pulling the wool over the eyes and the deception of apethitc america"

    We are done!



  3. Lazybum on July 22, 2009 at 6:44 am

    I wrote the following to each of my senators and my rep. I would encourage you to send your questions and concerns as well.

    Dear Sir:

    3 items:

    1-will you be participating in the socialized health care you are supporting? If not, why?

    2-Will the person that reads and sends a form letter to me even though I will be requesting a straight answer be participating in the socialized health care you are advocating?

    3-Have you read the bill? Either way I would like to know why you would do this to the country I love.

    Please either respond directly to these questions or do not waste my time with a form letter.

    We must keep their feet to the fire and make it a matter of record what these fools are doing to our country.



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