Things to Consider About Health Care

Before deciding that socialized medicine is the way to go you should watch this story by John Stossel of ABC

Sick in America, part 1

Socialism does not take into account the Human behavior factor. Our medical system does have problems, True. However, there ARE better solutions.

Health System expert Nina Owcharenko dissects "five major faults with the health care bills" being pushed in the House and Senate.

1. The public "option." Both proposals would create a government-run insurance plan which proponents claim would foster honest competition among private insurers. But how can there be fair competition when one of the players -- Washington -- is both writing the rules and playing the game? What's more, this scheme could lead millions of Americans to lose their private health insurance.

2. Centralized regulation. Both the House and Senate bills would result in sweeping and complex federal regulation of health insurance. This would take oversight away from states and concentrate it in Washington -- and this oversight is best left at the state level.

3. Greater dependency on government. Both bills would expand existing government health care program and introduce massive new taxpayer-funded subsidies to buy health insurance. This would leave millions of Americans dependent on government for their health care.

4. Employer mandate. The plans would force employers to provide coverage for all employees or face a massive tax. These "play-or-pay" mandates will raise prices, stifle economic growth and particularly hurt low-wage earners.

5. Individual mandate. Both bills require that all Americans purchase health insurance. Those without coverage or whose plans don't meet the new federal standards would face tax penalties. Special interests are sure to "lobby intensively to expand the legally mandated health benefits, medical treatments and procedures, and drugs that all Americans must buy under penalty of law."

Taken together or individually, these flaws would inflict serious damage on an industry that represents one-sixth of our nation's economy.

SO, WHAT DO WE DO?

The conservative alternative to socialized medicine is to enact serious reforms in current tax and insurance law that would expand personal ownership and control of health insurance and transfer the control of health care dollars to individuals and families. Reforms that would move our bureaucracy-driven, heavily regulated third-party payment system to a patient-centered system where the consumer chooses and real free-market competition is brought into play.

Competition is a REAL factor in lowering health care cost. One big way to do this would be to allow insurance companies to sell across state lines. Even liberal reporter Wolf Blitzer has brought up this point.

All I'm saying is let's not jump in without weighing the options and considering the possible problems. Once programs are enacted, it is near to impossible to go back.

Think first, then act.