It is a rare occasion that I step up to the political arena to publicly voice my opinion on political issues. However, this is an issue that has received a lot of attention and I’d like to give us some things to think about. Below are some reasons why I do not believe universal health care is a good decision for America.
1. We don’t need more government control. The government has enough control and say so in our lives. I’m not willing to hand over the reigns of my health care to them. The government can’t balance a budget or hold to their own standards. Why would I trust them with my health care? When has a government controlled anything been better than a free market?
“By getting government out of the healthcare industry, healthcare costs will plummet, innovation will increase, and more people will have access to the healthcare they need.” Harry Browne
2. Free health care isn’t going to be “free”. Some people claim that this new health care program will cost the same or less than the programs we already have in place. I don’t believe this and can’t imagine how it could be true. How could the government provide health care to everyone for the same price as the other programs that are provided only to those that meet low income requirements? It just doesn’t add up. Even Obama is against this idea because of the costs. This health care has to be paid by someone and it’s going to be paid by us and our tax dollars. If you think taxes are high now, just wait until something as expensive as universal health care is added to the list.
Hillary Clinton claims that her health care plan “improves health care by lowering costs and improving quality”.
3. Poor patient care will increase. Doctors will be busy meeting the needs of the growing number of patients. We know what happens when the government gets involved . . . there will be less say so for the doctors. Those great private practices that you used to love won’t be so private anymore.
4. We’ll see an increase in doctor visits and costs. Of course more people will be going to the doctor or trying to make appointments since they’ll have health care. What I mean is that people will be running to the doctor for every little thing.
5. It will become an expectation. Say we do get universal health care. What happens if the government can no longer afford the health care or they decide it wasn’t such a good idea after all? It will be hard to take it back once it’s in place. Government programs are seen as a “right” by the public.
6. Longer waiting times for appointments. Universal health care will cause people to try to see the doctor for every little ailment. More appointments and more people will cause a longer waiting time for appointments. Have you read some of the health care forums? People from other countries with universal health care are writing in and saying that it is taking them 6 months to see their foot doctor and 8 months to see the OB/GYN. How could waiting 8 months to see the OB empower women and prevent abortions?
7. It would destroy freedom for medical professionals. The government would determine how many medical professionals could work, what they would get paid, how much for each person examined they would receive. Doctors would be required to have the same liability insurance, but their income would decrease dramatically. If you think the health department doesn’t hand out dignity, just wait until doctors are limited on their pay and their hands are tied.
8. Lack of competition leads to higher costs and poor health care. We all know the benefits of having a little competition. When there is no competition, prices are always higher.
Huge waiting lists for care and visitations with specialists, a lack of sophisticated medical equipment, rising costs (which must be met by rising taxes), and a general increase in dissatisfaction with government-run health care are typical in all countries where the government, literally, calls the shots. (source)
9. I’m saying “no” to socialism. No, I am not paranoid. If we give people a choice on universal health care, it won’t be long until this is the only health care available. The socialist says if a person’s environment is changed, he will change. They believe he’ll be better to his neighbor or that she’ll seek contraception and not get pregnant. Socialistic principles change nothing about human nature. I agree with the statement by Lance Winslow, “We need to focus on prevention [sic] and education and responsibility. Also we need primary care costs lower and more doctors and less lawsuits too.”
Medical care is no different from any other commodity. In order to be most efficiently and widely distributed, it requires the unfettered signals of supply and demand, lest it fall victim to socialism’s standard shortcomings: bureaucratization, rationing, rising costs, overproduction (in some areas), underproduction (in others), and eventual failure. (source)
10. The government will limit services provided. Medicaid and Medicare recipients are only allowed a certain amount of eye exams, glasses, check-ups, and specialty care each year. If we move to universal health care, we’ll all be in the same boat. What about those of us that require extra care? Right now we can get it because we pay for it out of pocket. Universal health care will cap health spending. This will also result in fewer technological advances.
“… [P]eople who have access to Medicaid, for example – on paper they’ve got a great healthcare plan; they just can’t get any doctor to see them because Medicaid pays such ridiculously low rates for doctors, and they wind up having to spend five hours in an emergency room to be seen just for primary care because that’s the only place they can get medical treatment,” Grace-Marie Turner contends.
Turner says a major question the country must answer in November is whether to move toward a healthcare system in which government bureaucrats have a much larger role, or to reform the healthcare system around the consumer and “put doctors and patients back in charge.”
11. Hillary Clinton’s plan penalizes those who fail to purchase insurance. She even suggested that the government GARNISH WAGES of those who don’t get coverage. Are you kidding me? I thought this was America, the land that our men and women fought for so that we could have FREEDOM. I certainly would like the freedom to decide if I want health care. After she said that the government could garnish wages, she said that Americans would not be penalized. What exactly does she call garnishing someone’s wages? I would define that as a penalty. (source) The Clintons never cease to amaze me in what they consider the truth.
Hillary Clinton states that she wants the health care to be affordable. Oh, so it’s affordable and it’s a choice, but if we choose not to have it our wages will be garnished? Universal health care is not a cut and dry issue, not even within the democratic party. What’s next? Will they want to implant a chip under our skin? “Oh, it’s your choice to get the chip implanted, but if you decide against it you won’t be able to buy anything to eat.”
A government funded universal health care system will never provide what it promises. Instead of providing good health care for everyone, it will lessen the quality of health care that we receive. I can’t think of any government controlled or operated systems that run well. Do I need to name them for you? Then, why would we be so willing to hand over our health care to the government?
Everyone is welcome to comment on this article, however, name calling is not allowed. We are all adults and are capable of discussing this without talking ugly to one another, Remember, this is an important matter that will affect us all.
Freebie Friday for 5/30/08
Happy Friday!