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John Stossel on Universal Healthcare

October 4th, 2007 by Steve

Sometimes it seems that I’m the last man standing who is willing to take on the currently unpopular view that each person should choose his or her own healthcare destiny — and pay for it out of his or her own pocket. At least John Stossel has stepped up to the plate:

Candidates for president have plans to get more people health insurance. Some would compel us to buy it; others would use the tax code to encourage that. Regardless, insurance is the magic that will solve our health-care problems.

But contrary to conventional wisdom, it’s not those without health insurance who are the problem, but rather those with it. They make medical care more expensive for everyone.

We’d each be better off if we paid all but the biggest medical bills out of pocket and saved insurance for catastrophic events. Truly needy people would rely on charity, not government, because once government gets involved, unintended bad consequences abound.

It’s a shame that we’ll probably end up following the Clinton/Obama road or the Romney/Swarzenegger road to universal care, as both paths ultimately lead to the same eventual destination: disaster.

Posted in Health Care, National Politics

3 Responses to “John Stossel on Universal Healthcare”

1. Brian wrote on 10/4/07 at 8:06 pm :

   You’re most certainly not alone. Unfortunately too many people have no real concept of personal freedom, which includes responsibility for your own body. Too many people think freedom means getting to vote for “reality” TV contestants and cheer for their preferred sports teams. I think you mentioned something about circuses… :)

2. Steve wrote on 10/4/07 at 8:15 pm :

   Brian,

   I know I’m not alone, but it seems that people are afraid to tackle the situation anymore. With Hillary (or even Obama or Romney) as the potential next president, it’s pretty scary.

   I forgot about bread and circuses, but it certainly applies.

3. Katie wrote on 10/10/07 at 1:28 am :

   I agree with you 100% I have worked in healthcare for 7 years and have seen the benefits of competition. I am also a military wife who has waited 5 hours in a military ER because my government insurance will not pay for me to see a local physician. Having recently moved to the area I must reenroll in the new region. After reenrolling I must wait 2 weeks for a physician to be assigned to me. I am not allowed to see specialists without this assigned physicians approval. Do not misunderstand; I am very proud of my husband, the military, and the United States of America. I have just seen the disaster that ensues when government gets involved in healthcare.

   Katie

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