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 August 18, 2009

Cutting Through the Public Plan Rhetoric

Perhaps the most controversial piece of Democrats’ health reform proposals is a new government-run (or “public”) health program. The plan would be offered nationwide and would be modeled after Medicare. Democrats argue that a public plan would give consumers another choice when purchasing insurance. The public plan, they claim, would inject competition into private insurance markets. Public plan supporters also argue that the plan would be designed to have low administrative costs, zero profits, and the ability to negotiate with suppliers, all of which would supposedly help control rising health costs.

However, analysts at The Heritage Foundation have cut through this political rhetoric and exposed the many dangers in the public plan proposal that Democrats are failing to mention:

• Illusions of Cost Control in Public Health Care Plans

• Why a New Public Plan Will Not Improve American Health Care

• Impact of the American Affordable Choices Act of 2009

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Comments Author: Nina Owcharenko
  • renniewashausen
    Let insurances companies compete across state lines and keep government out of it. Health care is not a right it should be a choice.You would get less care at higher prices with the Obama plan and you leave them an open door to add into this bill anything they choose to deem to be unhealthy.It is an open door policy for more government takeover and control.
  • sickofobama
    I would love to see the GOp stop the illusion of being "no" by turning this entire debate on its head. We already have the momentum of the Majority of Americans behind us in theis fight. Now, Lets take the fight to the Liberals and eliminate their calling us the Party of "no". Whie we are ceratinly justified in our opposition, the offensive by this Adminsistration in the last few days is an attempt to take the debate in a different direction. My suggestion:
    1- Gather as many GOP Leaders and work very hard over the next week and a half crafting A less than 100 Page Alternative Plan.
    2- Keep this 100 Page Plan limited to so simplistic Bulltes that Most of us agree on
    3- Highlight what this would actually attempt to address
    **Tort Reform**Tax Credits**Portability**Health Savings**Interstate Health offerings**EMployer Incentives**
    4- SPECIFICALLY DETAIL WHAT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED- These items must be spelled out to eliminate being criticized for thae same things we easily critize their plan--Vagueness.
    **NO tax dollars for Abortions** NO Coverage or entitlement for Illegal immigrants** NO Public Option under any circumstance** Low Income Tax or rebates for income levels" NO penalties for Health Savings Accounts" etc...
    5- Take this and garner "moderate DEM" support.
    6- Label this HR XXXXXX- so it takes on legitimacy for the public
    7- Publish an Outline of this in the NY TIMES, WSJ, WASH POST, and the Drive By's. Take the Case to the Public on an "offensive stance" while we can.

    This will force a side by side comparison that every Amnerican can Read and compare and hopefully get behind.
  • dhow53
    The reason why Democrats are so opposed to tort reform is because of the massive amount of contributions to their party from the legal system. Look at the Texas state model of health system. It put limits on lawsuits and stopped the drawn out length of trials and cut health costs to the state by 25-27%. Why can't this administration look at those stats! There are many ways of reform,public option is not one of them.

    Dale Howard
    Durham,NC.
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