Apparently, President Obama’s supposed willingness to drop the “government option” in his health care plan was never serious…as predicted here and elsewhere. It now appears that it may have been a trial balloon to determine whether or not he could gain enough concessions from conservatives to continue to push this catastrophe through Congress. And by the way, co-op (as used by President Obama) is just another word for socialization of medicine.
Once the finalized Senate and House bills are in committee, the people and the Republicans will have little say in stemming the tide toward nationalized healthcare. President Obama gained no concessions and, in fact, not even increased trust from conservatives and a large percentage of Americans. As a result, the balloon burst. What was never a real proposal is now gone like the hot air it was.
President Obama will do almost anything to push through single-payer government-run health care. Like the good
So, why is it that so many Americans (even those who voted for him) are now balking at this move toward even greater government intervention in our lives?
First of all, many who voted for Obama were Republicans and Independents who never actually listened to what he was saying. When he said that he wants bigger government, single-payer health care, gun control, and greater control over business, they seemed to go deaf. Now they feel tricked. Actually, the only trick is that they listened to Obama’s oratory style and not his words. (To ground this a bit, listen to Hitler’s speeches and then read them. The difference is remarkable. Germans were also surprised at the evil they voted for.)
Secondly, a large percentage of Americans are happy with their health care or at least see it as better than a government option with its potential for stricter rationing and government regulation. Those who have followed health care since the 1980’s, as I have, realize that managed care has done a pretty good job, given the financial limitations. While managed care started out a bit rigid, over time a balance occurred.
Unfortunately, that balance was upset when government became increasingly involved. With rising legislation, regulation, and litigation, many of the strides made in cost savings were lost. Unnecessary care was granted out of fear of government and legal intervention. Today, it is very difficult for managed care organizations to say “no” to even some of the worst offenders. The word “entitlement” has returned to health care and in some ways is as destructive as it was pre-managed care.
Should the government take over health care, what has been seen as restrictiveness in some segments of the health care industry will seem like nothing compared to the rationing that will HAVE to accompany government funded health care.
This could be changed with LESS government intervention and more restrictions on the limits of litigation. It cannot be changed with MORE government intervention.
Interesting, Howard Dean said this weekend that the Veterans Administration is one example of how well the government can run a health care program. Has he EVER been involved with the VA or has anyone he knows? The track record of the VA in caring for our veterans is abominable. Many won’t even go to the VA for services they deserve because they can’t actually get that care. Many Americans know that and want no part of government-run ANYTHING except the essentials! The most important of those essentials is national defense.
It is time for the government to start focusing on what it is mandated to do and to stop sticking its nose into areas it is not wanted other than by the liberal fascists among us.
