A Strong Case against Health Care “Reform” – 14 Key Points (Part 2)

This week, President Obama is once again pushing hard for so-called health care “reform.”  Such health care “reform” might better be called government-controlled or government-dictated health care for every American.  With all the debate going on, let’s summarize a strong case against so-called health care “reform.”

In Part 1, the 14 Key Points against government-controlled health care are listed.  In Parts 2, 3 and 4, reasons for each point are given.

It Means Higher Taxes and Additional New Taxes.  Yes, a new entitlement program for all Americans will cost lots of money.  There’s no free lunch.  Higher taxes and totally new taxes will be needed.  Already proposed tax increases include the extension of a 2.9% Medicare payroll tax to interest, dividends, capital gains, annuities, royalties, and rents for some tax payers.  An additional 0.9% payroll tax has also been proposed.  Forcing every American to purchase health care insurance (possibly at a higher cost) is also an implicit tax.

It Means Fewer Jobs.  Yes, taxes and jobs are closely correlated.  With higher taxes pulling dollars out of the private sector to pay for health care, comes declining investment dollars for new businesses and new jobs.  Government spending for health care has a much lower economic multiplier than private sector dollars spent for health care.  Overall new job creation will be lower under government-controlled health care.

It Means Higher Health Care Costs.  Government-controlled health care will mean higher health care costs.  Price controls, lack of competition, lack of choice for consumers, and the fact that consumers always spend their money more carefully than government bureaucrats mean health care costs will skyrocket under government-controlled health care “reform.”  Need a proof point.  Consider the Massachusetts experiment with universal health care coverage started back in 2006.  In Massachusetts, health care spending per capita is now running 27% higher than the national average in the individual segment.  Overall, Massachusetts has the most costly health insurance premiums in America!

It Means Higher Health Insurance Premium Costs.  With health care costs dramatically increasing under so-called health care “reform,” there will be an increase in health care insurance premiums to pay for the higher costs.  Look at Massachusetts again for an example.  Under their universal health care program, health insurance premiums are up 30% per year.  Yikes!