I understand the position that it is unconstitutional to require U.S. citizens to purchase healthcare – that’s almost like passing a law that all citizens MUST buy a gun - it moves away from the socialist idealism that this law was supposedly birthed under and turns it into a mandate or order for CONSUMERS and not citizens. However, I think the major problem here is the insurance and pharmaceutical companies – and the even bigger monster of capitalism. Many (read: ALL) of these companies charge outrageous premiums and fees, while pocketing nearly 50% of the income, nearly $300 billion in 2009 in case you were wondering.
A better idea, and one that would make the mandate to purchase insurance more palatable, is to remove the middle man (aka, health insurance companies – yes United Health Group, Aetna, Cigna – you and your cousins, I’m talking to you) and provide a national healthcare system that has the means and resources to properly care for citizens.
Do I think every American should have health insurance? YES. Preventative care would save a lot of lives, preventing the spread of disease, mental illness, (I could go on about this but that’s an entirely separate discussio.) and it is truly unfair to require tax payers to cover the costs of others who refuse to get insurance and skip out on hospital bills, etc – not to mention those who abuse the welfare system and are provided healthcare (paid for in part by the middle class.)
I am not classist in anyway; I’m just saying true healthcare reform requires evening the playing field. Provide a healthcare system that any citizen would be happy and willing to have, provide affordable premiums and then require us to buy. Then sit back and watch the private institutions crumble or consolidate. They are the real problem at this point.
