Madeline Crabb
Health care is a choice
By Madeline Crabb
"Is health care in America a privilege, a right, or a responsibility?" That was a question asked by Tom Brokaw during a presidential debate between John McCain and Barack Obama. Mcain answered that it was a responsibility, and Obama thought it was a right. Obama was way wrong, and McCain was only wrong if he thought it was government, not individual responsibility. I contend that health care is a choice.
In the Declaration of Independence, our forefathers presented the case for declaring independence from Great Britain. The end goal for Americans was to have the opportunity of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." They didn't mention health care. Neither was it mentioned when the United States Constitution was crafted. Perhaps there was no mention because these new Americans understood that health matters were personal — not business — matters. These people were willing to give up everything to found this new nation, and they didn't want government interfering in their private affairs.
In 2009 Obamaland, formerly known as America, the president says his goal for health care is to have America "finally join the ranks of every other advanced nation by providing quality, affordable health insurance to all of its citizens." Uh, what other advanced nations? And gee, we heard America has the best health care in the world. Affordable? Yes and no. We all have to make choices about managing our personal lives.
Even though 85 per cent of Americans have health care coverage, apparently this government doesn't think that is good enough. Yes, there are some without coverage. But, we all know that if these folks are too poor to buy their own coverage, they are probably already getting help when they need it. Remember, no hospital can turn anyone away (thank you federal government) from an emergency room. Hey, they can't even turn away illegal immigrants. Can anyone say anchor baby?
During World War II the federal government had instituted wage and price controls that made it impossible to compete for good employees in a limited labor pool. The 1942 Stabilization Act allowed employers to adopt employee insurance plans that helped them to compete in securing workers. Thus, the coveted "benefits package" is how so many Americans today can afford insurance.
Are there some problems with the current system? Yes, but when considering any problem, one must go to the root of the problem which, in this case, is the government. Unfortunately our federal government has illusions of grandeur. Government is never the problem; government is always the answer. Just ask.
The president considers rising costs one health care problem. He says that we spend one and a half times more per person on health care than any other country. I'm sure he realizes that Medicare and Medicaid account for over 30 per cent of that expenditure. And has he considered that there is a certain government-bred, government-fed idea that basic health care isn't good enough for many people. This group feels they should have their Botox, tummy tucks, porcelain veneers, Viagra, and sex change operations covered as well. Hey, just so someone else is picking up the tab.
He's concerned that rising costs for businesses are making them ask employees to pay more towards their own health care plans. Hey...it happens to all of us. What, we should have to pay nothing at all towards our own health needs? Responsible people consider the pros and cons, and then make certain choices.
Obama's concerned that the price of insuring auto workers is causing those poor auto manufacturers to be at a competitive disadvantage in the worldwide market. Really? First of all, the auto workers I know are unionized and have sweet, sweet insurance — call it Cadillac Escalade quality. Pity they might be asked by their employer to help out with a little co-pay just to keep those cars-a-movin. (And stay employed) Oh yeah, because they are unionized, employers can't ask. Weh. Weh. Choices.
Of course, no company should have to provide any employee benefits if they don't want to. This is America. While employer-based insurance started as a way to entice good people into the workplace, the government is now pushing for a mandate.
Yes, it is good to have employer-based health care if possible. How great of a company to carry such a burden. But a company shouldn't be expected to pay the whole bill. That's un-American. If we don't start taking more of the burden, and making better choices, we soon won't have any choices left to make. Government will have assumed that role over all aspects of our life. And on your premature death bed when government says you aren't worthy of treatment for whatever reason, maybe because a homeless drug addict is being given your slot for chemo, remember that you once had freedom to make your own choices. But then, it will be too late. To anyone willing to hear....
© Madeline Crabb
October 12, 2009
"Is health care in America a privilege, a right, or a responsibility?" That was a question asked by Tom Brokaw during a presidential debate between John McCain and Barack Obama. Mcain answered that it was a responsibility, and Obama thought it was a right. Obama was way wrong, and McCain was only wrong if he thought it was government, not individual responsibility. I contend that health care is a choice.
In the Declaration of Independence, our forefathers presented the case for declaring independence from Great Britain. The end goal for Americans was to have the opportunity of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." They didn't mention health care. Neither was it mentioned when the United States Constitution was crafted. Perhaps there was no mention because these new Americans understood that health matters were personal — not business — matters. These people were willing to give up everything to found this new nation, and they didn't want government interfering in their private affairs.
In 2009 Obamaland, formerly known as America, the president says his goal for health care is to have America "finally join the ranks of every other advanced nation by providing quality, affordable health insurance to all of its citizens." Uh, what other advanced nations? And gee, we heard America has the best health care in the world. Affordable? Yes and no. We all have to make choices about managing our personal lives.
Even though 85 per cent of Americans have health care coverage, apparently this government doesn't think that is good enough. Yes, there are some without coverage. But, we all know that if these folks are too poor to buy their own coverage, they are probably already getting help when they need it. Remember, no hospital can turn anyone away (thank you federal government) from an emergency room. Hey, they can't even turn away illegal immigrants. Can anyone say anchor baby?
During World War II the federal government had instituted wage and price controls that made it impossible to compete for good employees in a limited labor pool. The 1942 Stabilization Act allowed employers to adopt employee insurance plans that helped them to compete in securing workers. Thus, the coveted "benefits package" is how so many Americans today can afford insurance.
Are there some problems with the current system? Yes, but when considering any problem, one must go to the root of the problem which, in this case, is the government. Unfortunately our federal government has illusions of grandeur. Government is never the problem; government is always the answer. Just ask.
The president considers rising costs one health care problem. He says that we spend one and a half times more per person on health care than any other country. I'm sure he realizes that Medicare and Medicaid account for over 30 per cent of that expenditure. And has he considered that there is a certain government-bred, government-fed idea that basic health care isn't good enough for many people. This group feels they should have their Botox, tummy tucks, porcelain veneers, Viagra, and sex change operations covered as well. Hey, just so someone else is picking up the tab.
He's concerned that rising costs for businesses are making them ask employees to pay more towards their own health care plans. Hey...it happens to all of us. What, we should have to pay nothing at all towards our own health needs? Responsible people consider the pros and cons, and then make certain choices.
Obama's concerned that the price of insuring auto workers is causing those poor auto manufacturers to be at a competitive disadvantage in the worldwide market. Really? First of all, the auto workers I know are unionized and have sweet, sweet insurance — call it Cadillac Escalade quality. Pity they might be asked by their employer to help out with a little co-pay just to keep those cars-a-movin. (And stay employed) Oh yeah, because they are unionized, employers can't ask. Weh. Weh. Choices.
Of course, no company should have to provide any employee benefits if they don't want to. This is America. While employer-based insurance started as a way to entice good people into the workplace, the government is now pushing for a mandate.
Yes, it is good to have employer-based health care if possible. How great of a company to carry such a burden. But a company shouldn't be expected to pay the whole bill. That's un-American. If we don't start taking more of the burden, and making better choices, we soon won't have any choices left to make. Government will have assumed that role over all aspects of our life. And on your premature death bed when government says you aren't worthy of treatment for whatever reason, maybe because a homeless drug addict is being given your slot for chemo, remember that you once had freedom to make your own choices. But then, it will be too late. To anyone willing to hear....
© Madeline Crabb
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