My father voted for a democrat once...in 1972. He tells me he has since learned his lesson. His vote was based primarily on distaste for a war. I can relate.
I hope someday my kids are interested enough in me to wonder about how their old man thinks. If they do, it's certainly possible that the debate waging these days about health care just might be one issue in which they would be interested to know more about how I am wired. Maybe not.
Just in case, here's what I think...
I believe health care, at its core, is a moral issue. Everyone has a fundamental right to see a doctor when they are sick, regardless of the current balance in their banking account.
I do not know if everyone agrees with me. I am guessing that there are at least some people who see health care differently - if you are unable to afford to pay a doctor, tough luck. I do not understand this perspective, but I must concede that some may ascribe to this view.
America spends a ridiculous amount of money on health care. And yet our life expectancy is no better than many other countries which shell out less for care. This seems suspicious.
You will be hard pressed to convince me that the current system makes any sense: large corporations collect as much money as possible and then pay out as little as possible. This is the premise on which my health insurance company operates. It would seem at their core they have profit in mind; my well-being is a secondary concern.
Socialism is not a dirty word.
In an ideal world, we could let "the market" drive health care. This is the theory which compares health insurance to car insurance. And at first, I think this makes sense. Everyone is required to have car insurance in order to drive a car. Yet, car insurance companies do not pay for new tires, oil changes, or brakes. Instead, maintenance costs for a car are paid directly by the owner of the car. Insurance companies pick up the bill for catastrophic repairs.
Health insurance should work in a similar manner! Everyone should be required to carry health insurance, but such insurance would only be used to pay for catastrophic repairs. Sounds good, right? This way, people would not frivolously go to the doctor. Savings everywhere. The market would dictate costs. Capitalism rules!
The idea is seductive, but I think it has flaws. First, I believe everyone has the right to see a doctor when sick. Because I believe this, the health insurance = car insurance analogy quickly dissipates. Not everyone has a right to an automobile.
Because I believe all people have the right to see a doctor, I am a socialist. I acknowledge that to ensure this right, I must also acknowledge that there are human beings in this country who are unable to pay for their visit to the doctor when they break an arm, or are cursed with cancer, or have a child with asthma, or....
And I also understand that in order to provide health services to everyone means that those who can afford coverage will not only need to pay for themselves, but also pay for others as well. This makes me a socialist. So be it.
Now, onto the current plans on the table. Remember my principals: 1) Everyone has a right to see a doctor; 2) America wastes an assload of money on health coverage; 3) Our current system is predisposed to place a premium on profit.
All 3 items need to addressed. But here's the rub: Democrats want to address item #1 without fixing 2 & 3. Republicans tend to want to fix item #2 without caring about 1 or 3. Both parties ignore #3 because #3 has an active group of people lobbying both parties to ensure insurance companies stay in business. This is good business.
To me, the solution is one in which neither political party has the courage to suggest: a "single payer" system. Essentially, government run health-care. No more insurance companies sucking as much cash as possible out of people and paying out as little as possible. No more tax-free health premiums for those lucky enough to have an employeer to provide health care. No more absurd payouts for malpractice suits.
O my god! I'm a socialist! This will never work! Canada has a single payer system and people are dying because of it.
...then where are all the dead Canadians?
