A few weeks ago I wrote a column called “An Alternative to Obamacare” that outlined an alternative plan to the Left’s massive takeover of one sixth of our economy through Obamacare. The comments generated by readers were not all kind, and I was accused of being, among other things, “an economically ignorant moron,” “a lib,” “still a lib at heart,” and “anti-free market” for presenting my “solutions.”
But, here’s the thing. AT LEAST IT’S A PLAN!! – or a good outline of a plan.
The GOP doesn’t really HAVE a plan – not one that has been thoroughly discussed or debated, studied, or even presented to the American people in a way that might be convincing, or MOVE people to action.
A recent piece on RedState.com said as much about the GOP’s lack of a coherent plan. In fact, the writer actually suggested that the GOP should NOT present a plan, since “the Democrats are just going to shoot arrows at it. Obama will also crumple it up and throw it in his presidential wastebasket.”
Really? That’s a strategy? DON’T present a plan?
Even today, as I sit here and write this column, Jay Carney is scoring BIG points by responding to criticism of Obamacare by saying, “Where is Mitch McConnell’s plan?” He’ll be followed by Der Fuehrer himself (Obama), who will happily cart out some newly anointed recipients of the great “Affordable” Care Act, who will no doubt tell of the wonders of socialized medicine.
To summarize what I was talking about in MY plan, it would go something like this:
— 10 years to implement, including a LOT of education about the fundamentals of insurance, starting in middle school;
— Healthcare costs would (after the new plan went into effect) reflect actual market values, so that individuals would KNOW what they were “purchasing;”
— Since Healthcare costs would actually reflect “actual” costs of services, NOT having health insurance would be an unacceptable situation to BE in, unless the individual was truly incapable of knowing the difference, e.g., mentally impaired;
— This plan would add approx. 30 million paying customers into the market;
— Those in lower economic stratums, premiums would be subsidized by the insurance companies themselves, based on a formula of “market mix” of clients of all economic backgrounds. The more “well-off” would pay more for premiums than lower income folks. An individual’s tax returns would be used, as is done with mortgages, to establish an monthly premiums;
— By billing individuals the ACTUAL market rates for services rendered, health care costs would decrease, not immediately, but over time;
— As a result of this plan, pre-existing conditions would be a moot point, due to the fact that EVERYONE would be covered by some sort of private plan – from natural birth (through their parents or guardians) to natural death.
Of course, transitioning to this new system would take a great deal of effort, and the system would have to struggle along as it has during the transition.
Some of the complaints about my plan were as follows:
— The feds have no business mandating anything, especially that insurance companies should be required to have low income clients on their roles;
— The problem with your idea is it still uses government power to force people into some form of health insurance;
— Insurance should be ONLY for catastrophic events;
— McDonalds doesn’t ask for copies of your tax return before they tell you the price of a cheeseburger.
These are all valid point to discuss. So, LET’S DISCUSS!!!
Finally, once a plan like was firmly in place, people would begin to understand the importance of self-reliance and that their own health was truly their OWN responsibility. The government would simply be used to create a playing field for everyone to participate in, rich or poor. After all, healthcare is often the most expensive services that a person can call for in their life, and there is NO reason that insurance, structured correctly, shouldn’t be THERE for them when needed,
A workable plan is the ONLY strategy to repeal Obamacare — which MUST be done – and move the country into a better healthcare posture. But, repealing Obamacare, at THIS point, will just cause untold anger and social disruption. Without an alternate, workable plan repeal would be a dangerous thing to do, thanks to our Cultural Marxist “friends” on the Left.
I encourage you to read my column from a few weeks ago, if you are truly interested in a possible solution to our healthcare problems and have ideas of your own. Tell me a better – WORKABLE – way and I’m ALL ears!
Image; Courtesy of: http://viewpointsofasagittarian.blogspot.com/2011/09/judicial-watch-exposes-obamacare.html
