Now, I believe we need health care reform, but not what was passed two years ago, and not what is currently being argued in front of the Supreme Court of the United States. I believe in portability, affordability, and tort reform.
First, we need to allow health insurers to compete across state lines to be able to reduce costs. People move and people change jobs. Our insurance should move with us.
Second, insurance should be more affordable. When my husband was working for a small logging company, we had no health insurance—not that is was not able, because it was, but the premiums were too high compared with his income. Now, if small independent companies (i.e. several small logging companies) could form a co-op, and were treated like larger companies, the savings would be passed on to the consumer.
Third, I think there should be a requirement to eliminate some of the huge tort costs from medical care. The number one thing I believe keeps healthcare cuts high is litigation and run-away settlements. Sure, I believe we have the right as citizens to sue for medical malpractice, but I also believe there should be limits on payouts. I had a wonderful ob/gyn who delivered my oldest son and although a young doctor, he gave up the practice, because of the high costs of liability insurance.
I have several issues with Obamacare itself. First, I do not like it was pushed through without being read. Nancy Pelosi said, “We must pass it, to see what is in it.” What!? In addition, if the plan is so great, why does it exempt Muslims, Native Americans, the president, congress, senators and their families?
Nor do not like the government ‘telling’ us what to do. If they can force us to buy health care, what else could they force us to buy? I thought we were a nation formed on the principals of freedom. Now people are required to buy health insurance or they will be fined and the IRS will hire over 16,000 people to help enforce this mandate. I am a strong believer in smaller, less intrusive government. Lastly, as long as a country, we continue to allow illegal aliens access to free health care, I cannot and will not support any form of health care initiative.
I also think the whole argument of car insurance versus health insurance is invalid. Auto-insurance places requirements on the voluntary act of driving and not on life itself. Second, states impose the insurance requirement, not the federal government, because states license drivers and vehicles. Driving is a privilege and not a right. Most states require car owners to purchase liability insurance that protects other people from damages caused by the at-fault driver. However, states do not require drivers to have collision and comprehensive insurance. In addition, what about those who choice not to own a car, they are not required to buy car insurance. Finally, there are risk factors included. If you are a teenager or drive a sports car, your insurance is going to be higher than a 30-year-old woman driving a minivan is. In other words, one size does not fit all.
For these reasons I do not support the Health Care Mandate.