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vaov:

1. Sign the petition.
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The Public Option is a mistake.  While the concept is nice (provide a public subsidised plan for those who can’t afford other options), it’s very nature means the death of private insurance. Indeed, it’s the stated goal of many who favor the Public Option.

There are 2 ways to make something ‘more affordable’: increase supply or decrease demand.  Government control will not increase the supply, so it’s only option is to decrease demand, in the form of queues, gatekeepers, and ‘effective treatment’ panels.  Given government’s proclivity for responsibly adminstering programs, there’s no doubt that we will see more and more restrictions on care in an effort to control costs.

Eventually, politicians will talk about the need for ‘tough choices’ as we see government add more and more restrictions on healthcare options and access.  Spending will grow, and grow, and more and more of our economy will be funneled into healthcare.

And thus, we will be sucked into a moral blackhole. Government will decide what life is worth what cost. And what will they say?  “We’re sorry Mr.  Murray,  but we have determined that, at your age, a hip replacement would not provide enough benefit.” “The drug you have requested has been determined not to be cost effective.” “We simply don’t have enough doctors.”

Now, I am not defending the current system of access; there are many pro-market reforms we can enact to both increase quality of care and availibility of care.  Integration of state health insurance markets, loosening restrictions on plan options, and a transition to individual and family purchased health plans as opposed to employer provided insurance are all steps in the right direction.

Even without those reforms, however, a government based healthcare system is fundamentally immoral.  Supporters of the public option lament the uneven access to care that currently exists and the huge financial costs of treatment. True as that may be, the power to change that still lies within the realm of the individual.  Once government controls access to healthcare, the individual is stripped of their right to control their own health, as difficult as it may be.