Health care is a big deal for a lot of Americans...especially the 46 million people who don't have health insurance. Barack Obama and Joe Biden's plan for health care is too lengthy to be listed word for word on this blog, but for a full description visit Obama's website.
In a nutshell, Obama's plan includes making "available a new national health plan to all Americans, including the self-employed and small businesses, to buy affordable health coverage that is similar to the plan available to members of Congress." Some of the features include that it will be guaranteed eligibility, comprehensive benefits, affordable premiums, subsidies, simplified paperwork, easy enrollment, portability & choice, and quality & efficiency. (Source)
I believe that a national health care system could benefit every American, but think it would be a horrible mistake to implement. "The Obama plan will cost between $50-$60 billion per year when fully phased in." (Background Questions and Answers on Health Care Plan, www.barackobama.com.) This is just one part of the trillion dollars of new spending that Obama will implement if elected president. Taxes will be raised, tax cuts will expire, free market health care will go down the tube, and will eventually go bankrupt like Social Security and Medicare due to government involvement.
President Ronald Reagan said it best in his first inaugural address in 1981, "It is my intention to curb the size and influence of the federal establishment and to demand recognition of the distinction between the powers granted to the federal government and those reserved to the states or to the people. All of us need to be reminded that the federal government did not create the states; the states created the federal government.
"Now, so there will be no misunderstanding, it's not my intention to do away with government. It is rather to make it work -- work with us, not over us; to stand by our side, not ride on our back. Government can and must provide opportunity, not smother it; foster productivity, not stifle it." (Source)
Nationalized health care would take away the free market and incentive for individuals and businesses to continuing developing the technologies and medicines that have made America with the best health care in the world. Other countries that have nationalized health care come to America to get treatment because it is far superior and are willing to pay the price! Do we really want our government taking over another program and "smothering" it? Feel free to voice your opinion by commenting.
3 comments:
I was talking with Teresa yesterday about healthcare in London. Theirs is a national system and is about 20 years behind the states according to Teresa's midwife. She does not get to see real doctor until the actual delivery. AND get this! They don't keep any records on her health. Teresa has to keep all the records herself!
So I don't think a national health care system is the answer either. But something does need to be done.
Do we want to stand in line for hours at the doctor's office or hospital like we do at the DMV?
As you guys probably know, we have a national health system here in Italy, and though many people complain (poor old people, they have nothing interesting to talk about on the bus), all I can say is I'm on my 3rd pregnancy, I see my doc once a month, get blood work, ultrasounds and deliver, getting a 3 day hospital stay WITHOUT paying a cent... Kevin was in the hospital for 11 days when he broke his ankle after being taken by ambulance, and we weren't charged anything. The hospital I go to is a world famous one, a huge research center with some of the most advanced technologies of Europe.
We do have higher taxes than you guys, but we can cope.
I'm not saying our system is better, just that it doesn't make people more scared about getting sick because of the bill than the actual health conditions...
ely
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