An Opportunity for True Healthcare Reform
The people in Massachusetts have the most expensive health insurance rates in the country (the average family pays more than $13,000 a year). They also have the longest waits to see a doctor – sometimes up to a year to see a specialist. The system in that state is essentially the model the Democratic leaders have been trying to force on the entire country. And the voters there unsurprisingly soundly rejected it.
This has renewed my faith in the intelligence of the American public, and in the power of our system of government. In voting Scott Brown into Congress, a serious disaster may have been avoided. The proposed plan would have caused insurance rates to skyrocket, and would have no-doubt been MUCH more expensive than proposed. Quality of care would have declined, and health costs would have continued to grow.
But now, we have an opportunity to start over. Not to “fix” the proposed bills, not to pass them piece-meal, but to actually start fresh, with an entirely different approach that will actually work.
To create a system that cuts cost and improves quality, convenience, and innovation, we need less government involvement, and more consumer involvement. HSA plans should be expanded, tax code that favors employer provided coverage over individual coverage should be eliminated, and rules that prohibit competition among insurance plans in different states should be eliminated. Tort reform should be enacted, of course.
It should go without saying that whatever bills pass should benefit all Americans. We don’t need back-room deals to give favoritism to union members over non-union members; tax-payers should not be paying the costs for citizens in one particular state; and all bills should be posted online for at least 72 hours before a vote, so we the public can see what is being voted on.
We definitely need health insurance reform in this country. But passing “anything” is not better than passing nothing. We have great opportunity now, to get this right.
January 21st, 2010 at 5:02 pm
the people of Massachusetts spoke. In crystal clear fashion, they told President Obama and Congressional Democrats to end this health care takeover now.
The meaning and magnitude of Scott Brown’s historic victory is truly stunning.
Consider Massachusetts. Before Mr. Brown’s victory last night no Republican Senate candidate in Massachusetts had won since 1972. The seat he was seeking had been held by Ted Kennedy for almost 50 years and the Kennedy family was on the campaign trail against him. All 10 congressional districts in Massachusetts are held by Democrats. In 2008, the congressional Democrat in Massachusetts with the lowest winning percentage was Barney Frank – and he won with 68%! Just 12% of voters in Massachusetts are registered Republicans.
But, Scott Brown did not win because voters suddenly love the Republican Party. He won not with a message of “Send more Republicans to Congress.” Instead, his most salient message was “send me to Washington to be the 41st vote against the health care takeover.”
The Democrats know this as well. On Sunday when President Obama campaigned with Ms. Coakley, neither of them said one word about health care — the issue on which the President has staked everything. They know that even in Massachusetts — the liberal bastion of the nation — their health care takeover has been rejected by a majority of the people.
Take a moment and congratulate yourself. You are making a difference for our nation.
Your tireless work, sacrifice and refusal to give up are paying off.
However, this health care battle is not over. Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid are already considering trying to jam the health care takeover through before Senator-elect Brown can be seated. We’ve got to keep the pressure on the Senate and House.
Let’s flood the lines to Washington and the district offices today while the election results are still fresh.
Forward this information to your family and friends; put it on your Facebook and Twitter. Let’s get as many of our fellow Americans as possible to join us in making these calls at this key moment in the health care battle.
Reid, Pelosi and Obama want us to believe their health care takeover is “inevitable.” You and I know better.
This is just more proof.
January 21st, 2010 at 5:15 pm
I absolutely agree. Being in the health insurance industry, I see many problems. I could not feel more strongly about the need for true Health Care Reform (not a government takeover). Having the government getting too involved just is not the solution. We are a great country because we embrace capitalism. All the burgeoning economies of the world are embracing capitalism. East Germany vs West Germany in the 40 years after WWII, West Germany thrived East Germany starved. North Korea vs South Korea. Look at the economies of India, China, Russia. All are growing now that they have gone to a more capitalistic economy. We have done it better than anyone for over 200 years. Why not use it to solve our health care/insurance woes. Having a consumer based system and letting market forces work has never failed us. Is the system perfect? NO. It is just better than any other. As Ronald Reagan said, government isn’t the solution, it is the problem.