Face the facts, Obamacare fraught with propaganda

Can we trust Congress to do the reasonable thing and go slow and deliberate on health reform? With the daily onslaught of Obamacare propaganda I doubt it.

First, it is not true that the entire world, or even Europe, is committed to socialized medicine. For every testimonial to government health care, you can find a horror story.

Second, it is not true that insurance companies are the primary problem. Fact is they average a 2.5 percent profit margin, which is comparable to your local supermarket.

Fact is that Medicare is twice as likely to deny a claim as is a private insurer. Let the feds allow insurance companies to compete across state lines, give them protection from predatory lawyers and make it possible for individuals to get the same tax breaks on insurance plans that big corporations do.

Next, it is not true that 46 million Americans cannot get health insurance. Nine million of those are not U.S. citizens, and we're waiting for Congress to settle the issue of illegal immigration. Another 9 million of that figure are on Medicaid but incorrectly stated on their census that they were uninsured.

Fact is 90 percent of Americans are insured and of the remaining 10 percent nearly half make $50,000 a year (26 percent more than $75,000). So I ask: Is it reasonable to overhaul the health care of 300 million Americans to deal with an issue that affects 5 percent of the population?

It is also not true that this legislation will have a major cost-saving effect. In my lifetime health care has gone from 3 percent to 17 percent of the Gross National Product. Technologically, we are approaching the point where we can do more than we can afford. As mentioned, insurance profits account for only a tiny slice of the pie. By far the greatest costs come from paying for good health care personnel and buying quality medical supplies.

Have these issues been confronted?

Even worse, the true price tag of this plan is being hidden. Unlike the presentation of the Clinton health care plan, this time the cost of individual and employer mandates is not being openly stated. Instead of the $848 billion Harry Reid bill, we are looking at a $2.1 trillion Reid bill. (See Michael Cannon of the Cato Institute.)

Finally, the most hurtful untruth is the accusation that those opposing this bill are selfish and uncaring. It is the classical liberal ruse of class warfare. First, the contributions of volunteer supplied community health clinics and the success of health care sharing ministries is ignored. Second, the fact is the vast majority are not opposed to some kind of government help to the down and out.

We do have the reasonable expectation, however, that the government get its financial house in order and put Medicare and Medicaid in the black before taking on even more. Maybe its time to change eligibility requirements for Medicaid or Medicare, perhaps to include those with chronic diseases. Maybe we need more programs like Florida Kids Care.

Make your case and tell me how much tax money you need, but don't call my reluctance to let bureaucrats make my family health care decisions uncaring!

Third, there are a lot of people who sincerely think that a government-run system could never be as efficient and caring as unfettered private health care.

Fourth, many of us believe that the real selfishness lies with those who want all the benefits now but are content to stick the bill with seceding generations. Given the out-of-control spending on Capitol Hill, I don't trust them with the future health care of my children and grandchildren.

Am I being unreasonable?

Mike Carlson

Weeki Wachee