Government's Role In Health Care And The Responsibility Of The Individual
Via @PaulHsieh, via westandfirm, Dr. Amesh Adalja explains at Forbes, "Want To Fix Healthcare? Acknowledge That It's the Responsibility Of the Individual":
It is indisputable that, for the majority of individuals, obtaining health insurance of some sort -- catastrophic or ordinary -- is an advisable financial decision. Health care plays a crucial role in one's life and can literally be life-saving in certain situations; health insurance can protect financial solvency in such situations. It is also clear that having healthy employees who maintain their health is in the interest of every corporation, as employee well-being is an important component of profitability.While these facts suggest that it may be a prudent decision for an individual to purchase health insurance or firms to offer health insurance as an employment perk, there is no justification for the government to nullify individual rights by forcing individuals to provide for the healthcare of others -- irrespective of the effect on the national economy.
A government's sole function is the protection of individual rights; all other functions the modern U.S. government has assumed are usurpations which have required the violation of the very rights the government was established to protect. This strictly delimited function of government requires the establishment of a police force, a military, and a judiciary system. As such, the government's position on the economy of the nation should not be to steer it or bolster it, but to stay out of it.
Of course.
But an awful lot of people in the USA just voted for "free" stuff for themselves. They are not interested in paying anything, because you can be forced to pay instead.
Radwaste at November 22, 2012 4:15 PM
A paraphrase of a very cogent comment heard on talk radio the other day -- didn't get the person's name:
So what happens when the government is providing the health insurance? Can they dictate that you have to exercise every other day, not smoke or drink, and follow the f'ed-up food pyramid or they send you to a fat camp?
Jim P. at November 22, 2012 7:15 PM
"So what happens when the government is providing the health insurance?"
If the system is overwhelmed, you'll just be told service is unavailable. "Sorry, Mr. P. Youre not being denied service. It just isn't available. Remember, it's a Federal offense for you to find your own medical treatment."
And do you really think no one will ever get a medical bill again? LOL.
Radwaste at November 23, 2012 1:48 AM
I know many people who were forced to go "bare" until finally stumbling into Medicare age. Yeah if something terrible happens, they end up in ER or at the county clinic getting charity care, but when they are healthy they just avoid doctors and cost taxpayers very little.
Maybe if they had known the range of services that local clinics provide pro bono they would have used them more. But I suspect they didn't want to be a burden, out of stubborn pride. Good on 'em.
It should be their right to make that choice, as it has been until now.
carol at November 23, 2012 10:17 AM
Radwaste: "And do you really think no one will ever get a medical bill again? LOL."
LOL indeed. The belief of so many credulous Obama groupies that obamacare provides free medical care is about as realistic as their belief that Obama would pay for their rent and gasoline.
The standard medical insurance plan under obamacare will have an actuarial value of 70%. Obamacare also allows for plans with actuarial values of 60% for the working class who are not poor enough to qualify for adequate subsidies; and 80% and 90% for those with richer employers or more wealth. The healthcare bill refers to these levels as "Bronze", "Silver", "Gold" and "Platinum". The "Platinum" level will provide coverage for dental and vision. The other levels won't.
Currently in the U.S. about 12% of the total cost of healthcare is paid for out of pocket by individuals. In countries like Canada and Switzerland it's closer to 30%.
This is by design. The government can decrease the demand for healthcare services, and thus hold down the total amount of money spent on healthcare, by increasing the share of expenses paid out of pocket by consumers.
Under obamacare, not only will most Americans be paying higher premiums for healthcare insurance, they will also be paying a bigger share of the cost of the services they use.
Ken R at November 23, 2012 10:36 AM
Can they dictate that you have to exercise every other day, not smoke or drink, and follow the f'ed-up food pyramid or they send you to a fat camp?
Short answer: yes.
Long answer: you better believe it.
Expect to get a food card, that you have to produce every time you want to purchase food or beverages. To make sure you're buying the "right" foods and following their food pyramid. And to keep track of how much booze your consuming.
You like certain fun activities, like skydiving, mountain biking, or rock climbing? sorry, those are restricted activities. If you fall and break something, not only do we have to drag your sorry ass of the side of mountain or a hole in the ground, we have to provide medical services and possibly rehab to get you back into service. And if you're permanently disabled?? oh, my, you may just get the pain pill after that.
And it's all to protect you from yourself. Now that there is essentially no limitation on what Congress can regulate in your daily life, expect regulation of your daily life.
Maybe not today. Maybe not in the next 10 years, but it is coming. Bank on it.
I R A Darth Aggie at November 23, 2012 12:06 PM
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