September 19, 2007 by Tom Armstrong.

My most recent letter to the WSJ editor:

J. David Gaines, M.D., writing in response to John Stossel’s commentary on Sept. 13, states that Mr. Stossel is “missing the big picture” and  “47 million people in the

U.S. do not have any health care.” I disagree with both statements.

 

First, 47 million people are not lacking “health care,” they do, however, lack health insurance. They may temporarily lack health insurance, but that is not to say they have no access to health care, or even access to health insurance. These 47 million people include millions of middle class individuals that can afford health insurance, but have chosen to forego the coverage. Others in this pool of 47 million individuals include job market participants that are temporarily between jobs; they, however, can afford and will have access to health insurance in the not-too-distant future.

 

In his rant, Dr. Gaines mentions salaries and advertising account for 31% of health-care costs in this country. Is he suggesting a personal salary cut? His “big picture” is to convert to a single-payer system, which, of course, is his proposed “solution.” This system will result in savings, he insists, but, actually, it will result only in an alternative rationing system, which, incidentally, will also create another entitlement for a minority, and a significant new obligation for the rest, restricting our personal autonomy in the process.

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September 19, 2007 by Tom Armstrong.

If you missed it, here’s a worthwhile opinion on Clinton’s new healthcare plan (WSJ subscription required, although this may soon change, as R. Murdoch is considering making the Journal subscription free, much like the NY Times has recently done).

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