Some healthy tips

A few points on the healthcare debate that I don’t hear often enough, if at all. These are not necessarily the most important points, nor the sexiest, and I cannot say that I follow every piece of coverage on this issue, but I must wonder why they don’t come up more often:

As I asked in my last post, where is the evidence that the federal government cannot administer large social programs effectively? I pointed out that 2/3 of all federal spending goes to the military/defense, Medicare/Medicaid, and Social Security. All receive generally high levels of support, and even higher support among participants. If you also consider that another 9% goes to pay interest on federal debt, this means that 75 cents out of every federal dollar is spent on very successful (though certainly imperfect) large social programs. I want the anti-reform goofies to be directly asked which federal programs they are referring to when they preach the “incompetent federal government” doctrine. Name one federal social program of any significant size that is a failure. If they do, compare the overall cost of that program or programs to that of the programs listed above. Calculate the ratio. Inquire further as to whether this is an acceptable success rate.

On the issue of costs, why don’t I hear more people pointing out the simple, irrefutable fact that private health insurance companies typically earn profits of 20-30%, and that these costs are inherently saved in any federal program. That is monumental savings, and it is a direct result of the inherent properties of a public program. Now, of course, the federal government doesn’t directly assume these costs under the current system, as it would under any public program, but we all pay them, and we all know it. And to whom do these profits go? We all know that too.

There is a core anti-reform talking point that takes the following form: “Government bureaucrats will be making decisions about your health care.” This one amazes me. Who makes these decisions now? “Bureaucrats” employed by private health insurance companies. The talking point assumes that corporate “bureaucrats” are preferably to government “bureaucrats.” Show me one shred of evidence, or present one cogent argument, as to why we should prefer the former over the latter.

This may be old news, but it is incredible how “conservatives” continually mis-portray every issue in terms of their core prejudices. The most general example – simple opposition to expending government – is, in my view, a relevant and acceptable framing of the issue. However, many of the core objections to health care reform are forced, manufactured versions of other issues. This includes abortion (federal dollars paying for abortions); immigration (coverage of undocumented immigrants); and assisted suicide (“death panels”). This phenomenon has manifested itself even more obscenely, as the health care debate has somehow become a forum for gun rights. Let’s talk about everything except the issue. It is only a matter of time before race comes into the picture.

I have heard this one, but it is very strange that one of the basic objections to the “public option” is that it will represent “unfair” competition for private insurers, thereby forcing them out of business. According to market doctrine, this will occur as a result of greater efficiency and satisfaction on the part of the public plan. Please explain to me why this is a bad thing. Should we protect the free market even when it benefits everyone not to do so?

Can we please stop blaming the declining possibilities for reform on anyone other than ourselves. I hear that the lies and manufactured protests from conservatives have hindered reform. I’ve heard Obama blamed for not boiling down the incredible complexity of health care reform into four or five talking points that contain ten or fewer words each. I’ve heard people blame Republicans, blue dog Democrats, lobbyists, and corporations. I’ve heard everyone blamed except the actual culprits: the chronically uninformed, apathetic and self-absorbed American people. It is our fault. Stop pretending that it isn’t.

Quickly: is government the problem?

The next time you hear someone argue that they don't want "government-run" anything, ask them what they think about the following programs:

The U.S. military and defense (including veteran care)
Social Security
Medicare/Medicaid

Together, they account for almost two-thirds of all federal spending. Are they failures?