■ 10 November 2009 | 5:00 AM
Fallacy on government takeover
RE 'HOUSE OKs health bill,' front page, Nov. 8: I see that my U.S. House representative, Randy Forbes, opposes the current health care proposals because he is afraid that it will drive private insurance companies out of business.
Let's look at some parallels. We have a public defender system in this country. Individuals without the means to defend themselves are offered a public option. I don't recall any, or at least many, attorneys opposing this system or losing their businesses.
In the 1930s, the federal government established the Tennessee Valley Authority. One of its purposes was the establishment of a benchmark for electricity pricing. It was then argued that the TVA benchmark would drive out private electric companies. It did not happen.
The limited government option in the current legislation will, rather than drive out insurance providers, help them sustain their high profits.
The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that about 2 percent of families and individuals will choose a government option plan. Certainly, that number will not drive out the private insurance companies.
With the limits on access to the plan, lower-income families will be provided with paid health care. Ultimately that will reduce costs for all providers.
No longer will the providers need higher costs to offset the free health care offered through emergency room visits by those who will now be insured by a low-cost government option. No longer will those of us with health insurance have to subsidize (with higher insurance rates) those families. Rather than go out of business, these insurance companies will continue to grow and increase their profits.
Kenneth L. Ehrenthal
Chesapeake
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blinding ignorance
There is no SS trust fund. They are words on paper and do not mean anything. It is purely and simply an accounting gimmick that you would go to jail for in your own business.
This health bill will only allow people to drop their employer insurance, save the 5,000 - 8,000 a year, pay the meager fine, and re-purchase insurance under gauranteed insurance. Good look supporting this bill when millions drop their high price insurance and only purchase it a gain when they need some sort of care to expensive to pay out of pocket.
Such rocket scientist.
Social programs
Social security is proably the best indicator of how the gubment takeover of health care will be run. It has all the requirements of a feel good social program that the leftists love to endorse. Helps the poor. Check. For the good of the public. Check. Expansion of government. Check. Higher taxes. Check.
This social health care plan was declared unfeasible during the Clinton administration when the economy was in a "little" better shape than it is today. How can one be led to believe we can afford it today with our spiraling deficit. We're also losing the taxable base to support these feel good programs as unemployment passes 10%. It's pretty naive to think the goverment is going to save us money by introducing this turd of a bill. Think DMV, VA hospitals, Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, welfare programs, public school systems and social security all rolled into one big fat package.
That is all comrades.
Time for Reform
The far right's opposition to health care reform is destined to further alienate their politics from the mainstream of american thought. So clearly, they had engaged in a campaign, led by their favorite radio talk hosts, and by whipping up anger and fear, they tried a blitz which almost worked. But the amazing thing is that most americans have had enough of a system that is broken and is designed basically to make sure that if you get sick or injured, they don't have to cover you anymore. Along the way, most americans have figured this out, so now we have this campaign to tell us it is a government takeover. That's baloney as most of those shouting that are on MediCare and like it. Fact is, as an employer, we better get reform or most small businesses will not be able to provide health insurance for their employees for much longer. This is an historic time to get this system reformed so we can get back to being competitive and entrepreneurial.
LOL
You do make me laugh. You state "This is an historic time to get this system reformed so we can get back to being competitive and entrepreneurial". You are socialist at best, marxist at worst and you have the gall to make that statement. You love big government. You really should be a politician. Spinning comes so easily for you.
Heh
Mike's always good for a laugh or two. He expertly drove SPSA into the ground, now he's trying to get followers so he can spread his ineptitude. Go Mike...you're my hero!
Have you read all 1990 pages
Have you read all 1990 pages Mike? Do you understand it?
it appears...
...that the ability to think independently and to analyze all potential outcomes including unintended consequnces are unnecessary in today's partisan society.
Either pick a side or get out of the way. There's no room for debate here.
Funny thing
The funny thing is that I agree with you that there is a strong possibility that the government option will one day take over the system. I am totally against the Pelosi plan. But I still found your post to be arrogant.
Arrogant
Freddy, gee I guess no one has the ability to think "independently" except you. You are my hero. Just because I hold firmly to "one side" of this debate does not mean that I did not arrive at my conclusions "independently"
Who Cares
Who cares if private insurance company go out of business? It want take a dime out of your pocket. I would rather pay into a government run insurance just like I do for social security. At least i know it will always be there.Your talking points are politically motivated. You wake up every morning enjoying government run program, But you don't complain or call them socialistic programs. Never has a bill drawn so much attention. Not even in war time.