UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE AND THE UNITED STATES

This section of DiscoverTheNetworks examines the controversial proposal to socialize the American health-care system, and to bring it under the control of the federal government. One of the most exceptional resources on this topic is Sally Pipes' 2008 book, The Top Ten Myths of American Health Care. In the introduction to that book, Ms. Pipes offers this overview of the debate:

Few issues in American politics capture more attention—and passion—than health care. Opinions vary widely about what’s wrong with our current system. And there’s even less consensus on how to fix it. But one thing we can all agree upon is that our health care system is in desperate need of reform. We all want affordable, accessible, high-quality health care.

Why is there such interest in fixing American health care? Because most of us realize that, sooner or later, the quality of our medical system will wield enormous impact on our own lives, or the lives of those we love.

Moreover, the growing cost of our system is placing a heavy financial burden on all of us. In 2007, insurance premiums rose at more than double the rate of inflation. And health care spending, it is estimated, will consume as much as 20 percent of the U.S. economy by 2016—up from 16 percent in 2007.

As these costs increase, our wallets get lighter. Wages stagnate as employer-provided health insurance gobbles up our paychecks. Most Americans realize—even if only instinctively— that today’s health care system is simply not sustainable on its current cost trajectory.

So, on the simplest level, the question of how to reform the U.S. health care system boils down to this: How do we control costs without sacrificing quality? And how can we reach coverage that is universal, or at least nearly universal?

There are many answers to that question. But the vast majority of solutions proposed by today’s politicians fall into one of two ideological camps:

The first camp maintains that only the government can cure our health care woes. Because the problem itself is massive and complex, we need an equally massive and complex solution. With sufficient taxpayer funding, the government has the size, infrastructure, and power to deliver that solution on a national scale. Uncle Sam has the wisdom and wherewithal to hold prices in check, while simultaneously ensuring that all Americans have access to high-quality health care.

The second camp believes that government is actually part of the problem. Too much regulation has caused our health care system to become sluggish, overpriced, and unresponsive to consumer demands. Rather than expand the government’s role, we should reduce it—and instead foster free-market competition by empowering consumers. Why not let the same economic forces that have improved quality and lowered costs in almost every other industry—from cars to computers—flourish in health care?

As a nation, we’re clearly split between these two camps. However, a growing percentage of Americans seem to lean toward the belief that the solution lies in more government. After all, more than half of all health care provided in this country already is paid for by the government through Medicare, Medicaid, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, and health insurance programs for veterans, Native Americans, and other specific populations.

Over time, polls have shown that Americans favor greater government involvement in health care—or even an outright federal guarantee of health insurance for all. It sure seems as if few Americans make the connection between government-provided health care and the Department of Motor Vehicles or the way government handled the devastation from Hurricane Katrina.

The debate is far from over. Polls also show that most Americans are personally satisfied with their own health coverage. And most of us would prefer private insurance to a government-provided plan. But now it seems that advocates of government-run health care have the upper hand. Perhaps it’s because they’re promising something that has always been a winner in political debates—a free lunch. Or more specifically, in this case, high-quality health care paid for by somebody else.

Like all utopian promises, the idea of free health care for all sounds wonderful. But what would this vision look like in reality? Is it true that our medical care can be saved by a massive intervention of government in the American economy?

The thesis of this book is that a government-run health care system would be an enormous mistake for America. It’s an empty promise built upon a foundation of myths [promoted] by politicians, policymakers, commentators, and journalists—myths that have been repeated so often that millions think they’re true. I will give you—in plain English—arguments against massive government medical monopolies.

Since Monday, February 14, 2005 --Hits: 135,875,097 --Visitors: 21,267,888