I've been checking in for a couple of weeks to see if there was any reasonable debate about healthcare in the US. I was sad to see that most of what is going on here is just talking points from one side of the argument or the other.
It's time that folks got talking about the real issues here because like it or not, there will be some government intervention in healthcare in America. If you haven't bothered reading the bill in the House right now, you need to stop reading this look it up and come back and see me when you can talk about facts and not talking points.
Back? The bill is a joke. It is a plan to do something. It doesn't say how much it's going to cost, just that they are going to do something. There are no real specifics in it.
I am a conservative. I am middle class. My three children are in the SCHIP program. My wife can not get health insurance on the open market based on pre existing condiditons. You may now formulate your opinion of me based upon facts about me.
I do not have an issue with the government getting involved in healthcare. Something has to change. There are too many hard working Americans who have to choose between health insurance and food on the table. This country is struggling and sick people aren't productive. Healthy Americans are a requirement of a healthy America.
What I don't understand is this: The government regulates so many industries without being a player. They regulate banks, automobile companies and pharmaceutical companies. (spare your bail out arguments here - that is off topic and comments related will be deleted - don't like it? fuck off and go somewhere else) My question is simple.
Why does the government have to provide healthcare to regulate it? They can step in and solve problems. They can force insurance companies to do what is right if they want to continue to do business in this country. They can fix the system that is already in place without becoming a player in the insurance market.
Why does the government have to provide health insurance to fix the system?