Professor Elam

Now remember this is really not about providing anyone with a health care bill health care is fine it is the payment system that is under attack. This is about a Congressional grab for power over 18% of the economy. 

Lasik eye surgery has improved outside the insurance industry the result is more surgery at lower prices.  

I would suggest we keep the govt out of this business and instead de regulate insurance policies. 

Example, health insurance policies now include all sorts of mandates that you may not need. Delivering a baby is covered thanks to demands from folks that cannot afford the delivery, it beats me how they are going to afford to raise the child the next 18 years. But my point is, why would my wife and I at our age want a policy that provided for pregnancy?  But we could not by one without it. 

Make health care a real insurance policy, it prevents against catastrophic loss which is what insurance is supposed to be about.  We contribute pre tax dollars to an IRA style health IRA.  WE build up a cash savings of several thousand dollars. OUr re insurance policy allows for costs in excess of say $5,000 for single events. Up to that point we deal with health care providers on what they charge just like car insurance or buying a car for that matter. 

Result, freedom of choice and Adam Smith's magic hand to keep things in line. 

Can you see where this is liable to go other wise?  If the govt controls your health care they control you. 

Walter Williams quotes from Mark Steyn about where this has gone in Britain, read the link.  Overweight well the knee or hip is your problem. You smoked, hmm too bad. But as he points out other lifestyle options get a pass…..Why, because govt will use health care to highlight the behavior approved behavior. Look at energy, we have all the coal we need and nuclear has powered US Navy ships since the 1960s. Yet we are not focused on clean coal or nuclear to get independent of the Saudis, this is nuts, but reflects enlightened govt thinking.