Some Monday morning musings or why I don't like the Health Care Reform Bill...

as if anyone cares...but here goes

As much as I would like everyone to have health care, I think this bill is just wrong on SO many levels....

First, let me state that I am a former social worker, a hospital social worker, for that matter. I have personally seen the problems when people do not have health care insurance and I feel for them. My heart breaks over many of the sad stories we have heard over the preceding months in an effort to bolster support for this reform bill. Social workers are often regarded as "bleeding heart liberals" and to some extent,(with the exception of liberal) that describes me as well. I almost feel guilty being against this bill because my heart is for people to have what they need.

All that said, however, I would also say that while we may badly need health care reform, this is not a good bill. I'm very grieved it was passed, and here are my reasons:

1) First, I simply don't think we can afford it. Perhaps this is an obvious truism, but this money has to come from somewhere and I suspect it will come from exhorbitantly raising taxes (and not just on the wealthy taxpayers either) and on taking funds from Medicare and rationing care of the elderly beyond what is prudent and common sense. (Robbing Peter to pay Paul in other words.) I just find it difficult to believe that the increases such as penalties on uninsured (more about that later) and such is going to give enough revenue to accomplish what is proposed. I would prefer to see federal monies be given to hospitals and medical facilities willing to treat the uninsured. This would IMO be a more feasible and financially responsible alternative.

2) Secondly, as someone who is staunchly pro-life, I do have concerns about the abortion issues/entanglements this bill may possibly generate despite the assurances to the contrary.

3) I also believe it will exacerbate existing problems with many insurance agencies. Forcing them to cover people may seem like a good idea (and again I do have sympathy for people who have difficulty obtaining insurance because of their medical issues) but will this legislation not cause premiums to substantially rise and health care to be even more controlled and rationed than what it already is??? It seems to me that this has backed the insurance carriers into a corner. How can they respond otherwise without going out of business? I don't believe that the premiums from those forced to buy insurance is going to make up the shortfall. Hopefully, I'm wrong, but I just don't think so.

4) Along these lines, I also believe it is wrong to force people under penalty of law to purchase a product/service such as insurance. Yes, we do currently require people to purchase auto liability insurance (at least we do in Texas) but they do ultimately have the choice whether to drive or not. Unlike this health care legislation where there is no choice. Apparently, if you breathe, you must purchase insurance! Never mind the fact that as I understand it, the IRS will be the "enforcer" here. Do we really want to give the IRS additional clout?

5) This legislation was also enacted and rammed through the legislative process regardless of the fact that this is involves huge changes in public policy and many, if not a majority in fact, in the country are admanantly opposed to it. Even if you are in favor of what was passed, the WAY it was passed, was IMO, just not right.

I could probably continue, but mercifully, I won't. Just suffice to say, that I think we have opened a Pandora's box of woes by passing this legislation. I hope the effects can be mitigated somehow.