It seems like this issue is talked about too much but we are on the verge of institutionalizing another benefit as an entitlement for some of our citizens. Since the Great Depression we have been instituting one entitlement after another. I don’t want to be misunderstood, I’m not opposed to helping others in a lot of ways including health care. I think churches and private social service agencies such as Lutheran Service Society, Catholic Charities, Brothers Brother, the V.F.W., American Legion and the Salvation Army do a good job already. And we can’t forget our hospitals and the Hill-Burton Act services they give to the poor. What I am not in favor of is the government getting involved by taxing one group of people so others don’t have to purchase health care, get a job, or pay their mortgage.
I know I’m not alone because the national polls say a majority of people are not in favor of the current health care reform being tossed around by Congress. If that is what the public believes why is Congress continuing to support and push through such legislation. I attended a Senator Spector town hall meeting, where Congressman Murphy was present but he was not given the opportunity to speak even though he tried to speak several times. I have called my congressman, written to my congressman and senators and they have not had the decency to respond and tell me “thanks but I don’t’ agree with you.” Well, I guess they have because they continue to drive on with their agenda.
Congressman Doyles recent newsletter says he is working hard to pass a bill that would “provide affordable, high quality health insurance coverage to millions of Americans who are currently uninsured.” Who says millions of uninsured Americans want health insurance? The Amish people are being excluded from the legislation on religious objection grounds because they take care of each other and they don’t want the government stepping into their affairs.
Young people don’t purchase insurance either, for a variety of reasons, but now they, or their parents, will have to spend money on health care. Even though they will want to spend their money on education bills, a new car, auto insurance, etc.. they will be forced to purchase health care or pay a fine.
Congressman Doyle also wants to “slow the growth of health care costs”. That’s nice but one of the big issues with rising health care costs is legal settlement costs. That’s what lawyers get for handling cases against doctors and hospitals. Most people call that tort reform but there is none of it in the health care reform bill.
He also wants to “increase competition in the health insurance market” and “get health care costs under control”, “to end the near-monopolies” in health care to “help consumers, businesses, and the federal government save money.” However the legislation doesn’t address the lack of portability of our Southwestern Pennsylvania health insurance to other parts of the country or vice-versa.
The problem then rests with the solution. Congressman Doyle wants to make sure that we “pay for these reforms in a fair and equitable fashion.” I say that “fair and equitable” is that I get to choose when I buy insurance and when I don’t. We already know that their fair and equitable fashion is to: force everyone to purchase insurance, fine anyone $750 if they don’t purchase health care insurance, tax existing health insurance plans, tax anyone who makes over $500,000 a year, and reduce or eliminate some already existing health care services from Medicare and Medicaid, unless you live in Nebraska. Oh, and grow the size of the government. Everything we don’t need. It’s time for change.
