A government health insurance plan sounds nice and pretty, but when you consider a little bit of history concerning the government and its regulation of the private insurance market and consider basic economics it's pretty darn clear that as time goes on more and more people will be forced into government run plans.
First, the lie that the government wishes to just "compete" with private insurers is complete BOGUS. The federal (and state governments) already heavily regulate the private insurance market. Over the years governments (both state and federal) have required insurers to cover more and more procedures, many which have nothing to do with health thereby forcing customers to shell out more money instead of just simply allowing consumers to customize their plan....you know kinda like how you do with other insurance.
Also doctors spend around 30 billion per year (according to CNN) on malpractice insurance. So if we could have some tort reform of some sort to reduce law suit abuse.
But the point I REALLY try to make to people is this....Private insurance companies need to at least break even to keep themselves in business. Government does not. Government can afford to operate at a loss because it has an endless supply of tax revenue and the ability to borrow money from sales of bonds or by monetizing the debt with the Federal Reserve. Now ask yourself this....if you were a business of some sort, and you were competing against someone who could afford to operate at a loss indefinitely don't you think you would have a hard time competing against them? They could afford to continually undercut you (at their loss) and eventually put you out of business. So as you can see the government is NOT competing against private insurers in a FREE market because
1) they regulate their competitors already and 2) they can afford to lose as much money as they want since they do not need to make a profit or even break even to stay in business.
Now some people would say that as long as they can afford to give people cheap medical care then it shouldn't really matter if they operate at a loss....Well ok, but there is one problem with that and that is supply
If the government sets prices artificially low then their will be an increase in demand for those services. The system will not be able to handle everybody in a timely manner which will lead to long waits and rationing. Now to be clear there already is rationing today just as their is rationing of every product and service we buy....the rationing factor is the price. There are ways to lower the price using Free market solutions instead of the heavy coercive hand of government such as:
Tax deductions for health savings accounts that can be used towards deductibles or insurance premiums, tort reform, allowing private insurance to compete in a free market unlike what it has endured over the years as increased government regulation has increased the price.
I'm starting to ramble, but the main point I wanted to put out for debate is that government is NOT competing against private insurers because it is government that is setting the terms of competition and not the market and also the government can afford to operate at a loss while private insurers can't. Talk about a monopoly!
Please if all you can say is a bunch of rude or ignorant things then please don't comment.
Cigar that Bill Clinton Sniffs
Based upon 0bama and Pelosi and Hillary and Bill, Dems seem to have a hard time being honest
I love yanking your chain
I want health insurance out of my life.
starlove2
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090816/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_health_care_overhaul;_ylt=ArvVvyYRwb7IkmyAqXaK9ol34T0D;_ylu=X3oDMTJvczRza29vBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkwODE2L3VzX2hlYWx0aF9jYXJlX292ZXJoYXVsBGNwb3MDMQRwb3MDMgRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3J5BHNsawN3aGl0ZWhvdXNlYXA-
Miles
why can ppl in the states see that there health care system is far behind every western nation that has public health care LOL
Kman
Private institutions are capable of, and currently do, compete with the government. UPS & Fedex vs. the US Postal service. Private security vs. the Police. Bottled water vs. the sewer system.
We spend 2.4 trillion on health care in the US - that 30 billion in malpractice insurance represents a single percent of our total costs. I get just as annoyed as the next guy when I hear about outrageous lawsuits on TV, but what percent of the total clams are truly outrageous? Tort reform is anything but a silver bullet for medical claims.
I don't think low heath care costs would create an 'artificial demand' - no one goes to the doctor for fun. You're suggesting that if/when actual health care resources are limited, that you prefer free market economics rather than the doctors and nurses to prioritize care? That's a death sentence to the poor.
I think it's also worth pointing out that most people in this country receive their health care from their employer, at major cost to the employer. That can bind people to jobs they aren't passionate about, and discourage employers form hiring/firing. Removing the health care burden from the employer would therefore be good for the economy.
bluechristy7
so I guess you think that millions of people going with out Health Care is a great Idea . Typical . Republicans will put Money over Human Life any day .
Orignal From: Tips: Why Can't Democrats Just Be Honest About Their Desire To Takeover Health Insurance?
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