Since I’m not one to beat around the bush, I hate the idea of mandating health care.
The idea of mandating health care coverage is another step towards socialism, but with 45 million Americans without health insurance it’s a cherry of an issue ripe for political picking.
While universal health care sounds good, these mandates are at best forced charity and worse, will lead to another branch of government that threatens to leave taxpayers further out on a limb.
Have I mentioned the $9 trilllion debt?
Both Democrats and Republicans talk about smaller, less-intrusive government while they pass legislation that has the opposite effect.
Barack Obama’s plan mandates parents to provide coverage for their children while Hillary Clinton’s plan is all- inclusive. Basically, these mandates force people to buy health insurance, and if you don’t you’re forced to pay a hefty fine. Hillary went on to say that she’ll go “after their wages,” as if they don’t take enough already.
Yes, they can provide universal health care but it’s going to cost you. No need to thank us, just elect us.
I’m not exactly sure how we’re going to fine the poor and the homeless. Maybe we could kill two birds with one stone and just throw them in jail. I’m kidding.
Once this socialistic plan is in place, what incentive will businesses have to offer health insurance to their employees? Many companies are already dropping their plans and these mandates would likely encourage it even more.
Clinton believes that health care is a right and not a privilege. I thought it was a benefit.
In many instances, we’re being overcharged by the health care industry. If someone charges you $12 for one Band-Aid, they’ve obviously stuck it in the wrong place. Jacked-up prices lead to higher premiums and only perpetuate the vicious cycle.
As far as the sickening side of health care, I could tell you a story about an uncle who carried his niece into the emergency room only to be told to take her to another hospital. With no time to argue and no time to punch anyone, they headed for another hospital and fortunately found a little mercy.
I could tell you the story of a son whose sick mother was released from a hospital 3-1/2 hours away from home. I guess they didn’t want her dying there.
Even though he was no M.D., he felt it was necessary to drive 85 miles an hour all the way home. When they pulled up in front of her house, she said three words, “I can’t breathe.” Five minutes later he pulled right into the emergency bay and found a little mercy once again.
Once she was stabilized, the nurse came in and said, “Don’t worry, Flo, we’ll have you out of here real soon.” To which my best friend in the whole wide world replied, “preferably in an upright position.” How’s that for a sense of humor?
This same sweet woman who worked in a nursing home for more than 20 years was once threatened with being “written up” for bringing in her own box of Band-Aids because she thought a buck a Band-Aid was a bit much. She told them where they could put that pen — and it didn’t require a surgical operation.
She was also verbally reprimanded for not hurrying people along for breakfast because for her it wasn’t a numbers game, it was about treating people with patience and dignity.
Sadly, her job was becoming less about the human being and more about the bottom line.
This extraordinary woman had an uncanny knack for understanding the mumbled words of a fellow human being lying on their death bed. She was a woman who had the strength and gentleness to offer a tender goodbye while they quietly exited this world.
In my heart, I know people like her are the real heroes. In my mind, I know there are some greedy bastards in the world.
If politicians had any guts, they’d attack the deeper issues of health care, like price gouging. If they had any sense, they’d use their oversight committees to look into these issues rather than just forcing taxpayers to pay for more of the same.
My dad use to say that whenever the government gets involved, you can bet they’re going to screw it up. That may seem cynical but it sure seems true.
When it comes to mandating health-care coverage, call me Dr. No.
— Carl Grover is a welder at Curries and is proud of his blue-collar heritage. He enjoys putting his opinions on paper. Write to Carl at Box 393, Mason City IA 50402-0393. My Turn is the work of community columnists and appears Fridays on this page.
2001cougar wrote on Mar 2, 2008 10:05 PM: