"Hatch's Health Care Stand Is Correct"
Posted by: Staff in Health Care Reform on
Jul 21, 2009
Rep. Brad Daw -- from Utah House District 60 -- writes in the Ogden Standard-Examiner . . . "Hatch's Health Care Stand Is Correct":
I want to take a moment and offer a sincere best of luck to Sen. Orrin Hatch as he leads the fight against Washington's idea of health care reform.
As a member of the Utah State Health System reform task force, I can state without reservation that the only hope of genuine, long-term reform lies in less government interference and fewer barriers between patient and doctor. All variations of health care reform I hear coming from the current administration are going in the opposite direction.
I was pleased to learn that Sen. Hatch had sent a letter to President Obama which very clearly stated the problem with the current proposals. It stated: "At a time when major government programs like Medicare and Medicaid are already on a path to fiscal insolvency, creating a brand new government program will not only worsen our long term financial outlook but also negatively impact American families who enjoy the private coverage of their choice."
He also pointed out that these government programs already incorporate a large hidden tax on every insurance dollar we spend: "A recent Milliman study estimated that the cost-shifting from government payers (specifically Medicare and Medicaid) costs families with private insurance nearly $1,800 more per year."
Supporters of a government-run health insurance plan claim that it will be only one "option" in the insurance marketplace. Given that current federal plans already place a serious burden on the rest of us through price controls and cost-shifting, it is clear to me that the expansion of this type of plan would ultimately drive all private insurers out of the market.
Another part of the administration's plan is a mandate that all people be required to purchase full health coverage. The Congressional Budget Office noted that "an individual mandate ... would require people to purchase a specific service that would have to be heavily regulated by the federal government." Washington would dictate what acceptable insurance coverage would be, while pricing its own coverage lower than private insurers'.
Sen. Hatch has noted: "Forcing free market plans to compete with these government-run programs would create an unlevel playing field and inevitably doom true competition."
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written by Polly Harper, July 22, 2009
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written by Gary, July 23, 2009
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written by Robert E. Howell , July 24, 2009
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written by Taylor-ING, July 27, 2009
Before commenting on the lives and lifestyles of Americans, step down into the real world and see just how we live. McCain said it best; you are "separated from the day-to-day lives of average Americans when in Washington."
And, until you do, your comments will lack truth. It may also cost you many votes at the polls in the future.
Taylor-ING
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written by LJR, July 29, 2009
-Never in decades have so many Americans decline purchase of health care insurance because of costs. My personal friends have been without coverage for years and risk their lives without coverage.
-Fortunately, I have coverage, and even with high deductible my premiums are increased yearly at a rate much higher than inflation. I am not employed, but fortunate to have some savings which is dwindling fast.
-Sen. Hatch have stated, "Medicare and Medicaid are already on a path to fiscal insolvency." So, then isn't it your job to fix this?? We realize there are many government services and benefit systems which are poorly operated and full of inefficiencies. Please make a proposal on how to repair or replace them instead of making excuses.
-Sen. Hatch has referenced reports from the Lewin Group. They should be simply ignored, as it is owned by the United HealthCare Group. This insurance company paid a multi-million dollar settlement to NY state for it's shifty practices based on Lewin Group reports.
-I've read reports of Republican's desire for "tax deductions" for insurance premiums as a solution to our country's healthcare problem. This proposal helps none of us who do not work, and have no income.
-Sen. Hatch opposes any ideas which benefit -all- citizens. It suggests the Senator is for private industry self management and market competition. This is good if it works for all citizens. It's plain to see, it does not. Insurance companies' live for maximized profits and will literally kill those in their way. Even, so called, "non-profit" insurers operate to minimize payments and maximize revenue.
-Thus, medical care cannot be left for to private industry and a proposal to cover all citizens must be move forward. Might the good Senator propose some ideas instead of standing in the way?
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