Truth and Lies about Health Care Reform
It seems clear by now that the right wing fanatics have decided to try to stop health care reform by the simple tactic of telling lies about it and shouting down anyone who tries to correct the lies. There is a lot of muddled thinking about health reform on the right exemplified by their leader, Rush Limbaugh, who publicly displays his ignorance of political philosophy and history by calling President Obama, at various times, a ‘Communist', a ‘Socialist', a ‘Fascist', and a ‘Nazi' - diametrically opposite philosophies.
So, let's take a look at the biggest lies the right is shouting about health care reform and see what the truth is:
Republican Lie: Health Care Reform will require euthanasia for seniors.
The Truth: This accusation, and the idea that there will be ‘death panels' is flatly wrong. There is no such thing in any bill introduced into Congress nor is there any such provision in the plans promoted by the President. The truth is that the bills pending in the House include a provision, supported by AARP, to provide senior citizens with access to a professional medical counselor who will provide them with information on preparing a living will as well as other issues affecting older Americans. This will actually help senior citizens make informed choices about their future rather than having to guess.
Republican Lie: Health Care Reform will outlaw private insurance and force you into a government plan.
The Truth: Health Care Reform, as proposed by President Obama and included in pending legislation, depends on the existence of private insurance providers. The legislation will create a national health insurance exchange - a one-stop market for high-quality and affordable health insurance. The exchange will include a public health insurance option that will operate along side the private insurers. No one will be forced to leave their existing plan or doctors, but the public option will expand choices for all of us, including many who cannot afford health insurance now.
Republican Lie: The Government will use Health Care Reform to implement soviet-style rationing.
The Truth: We already have rationing. Basic economics will tell you that any scarce commodity is rationed, either by price or by some other mechanism. Now, big corporations decide whether to give you health insurance, what is covered and what doctors you get to see. Rationing ensures that millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions simply cannot get health insurance at any cost. Others are priced out of the market by the cost of health insurance.
Health Care Reform will do away with some of the worst aspects of this rationing: discrimination for pre-existing conditions, insurers that cancel coverage when you get sick, gender discrimination, and lifetime and yearly limits on coverage. And outside of that, as noted above, reform will increase insurance options, not force anyone into a rationed situation.
Republican Lie: Health Care Reform will bankrupt America.
The Truth: We need Health Care Reform to Prevent bankruptcy! The cost of health care is growing at a rate much faster than inflation. At the current rate of increase, the average family premium will reach $22,000 within a few years. Each year more than a million families face bankruptcy by health care costs. Reform is necessary to control spiraling costs and bring health care within everyone's reach. Further, the President's plan would be fully paid for and not add a penny to the deficit.
I'll have more on Health Care Reform shortly.
