Have Anti-government Health Care Advocates Denounced Their Own?

We keep being told that the government can't run anything effectively. The DMV, the Post Office. . .dreadful, right? And yet, there are recipients of current government health care already here in large numbers. Senators, Congressmen, veterans, and oh yeah, there's this. . .

[Excerpt]

Memo to pundits and the public: Medicare is a government program. Really, it is.

. . . from Arthur Laffer, an economist who is founder and Chairman of the Laffer Group:

If you like the Post Office and the Department of Motor Vehicles and you think they’re run well, just wait till you see Medicare, Medicaid and health care done by the government. . .

I'm not sure I've read anything else quite that stupid today.

Read more at: AmericaBlog

HR 676: The US National Health Insurance Act

Image from The People's Voice

There has been a lot of arguing about the national health care reform bill going through Congress. On one side, you have Democrats who by and large support the bill, but can't usually clearly express something to the public. On the other side, you have Republicans who are to a man or woman are against the thing, and use Frank Luntz's code words to argue their points. And in the middle, you have "Blue Dog" Democrats who are contrarians and/or in bed with various health care lobbies.

Wherever you fall, you might want to do yourself a favor and read the thing. It looks pretty damned good to me. I can't imagine not wanting this after reading it. Unless I worked for a big insurance company, I suppose. But there even seems to be a little something-something for them in there. I'm on board. Take a look. . .

[Excerpt]

Benefits and portability

(a) In general.—The health insurance benefits under this Act cover all medically necessary services, including at least the following:

(1) Primary care and prevention.

(2) Inpatient care.

(3) Outpatient care.

(4) Emergency care.

(5) Prescription drugs.

(6) Durable medical equipment.

(7) Long term care.

(8) Mental health services.

(9) The full scope of dental services (other than cosmetic dentistry).

(10) Substance abuse treatment services.

(11) Chiropractic services.

(12) Basic vision care and vision correction (other than laser vision correction for cosmetic purposes).

(13) Hearing services, including coverage of hearing aids.

(b) Portability.—Such benefits are available through any licensed health care clinician anywhere in the United States that is legally qualified to provide the benefits.

(c) No cost-sharing.—No deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing shall be imposed with respect to covered benefits.

Read it all at: John Conyers for Congress