Medicare for All?

There is a growing cry and a growing number who are advocating Health Care for all and a one-payer system – Medicare for all.  Is that a good idea?

From an article in the paper this morning, “‘Medicare for All’ could get complicated, GAO says…and potentially disruptive…One unintended consequence could be increased wait times and reduced access to care…expected increased demand for services”

So, is universal health care provided by the government a good idea?

First, a study of what the government provides already should give serious pause to the desire for another government service.  Consider Walter Reed (at least before the outcry) or the VA system or the government’s fix of drug prices or how Medicare works today with someone at a desk deciding what care and for how long it is given despite what the patient or doctor wants.  So, is giving all health care over to the government really a good idea?

What is being demanded by those wanting universal single payer health care is (let’s be honest – much of this is politician chatter seeking votes) – is “Cadillac” care for all people which means botox surgeries, face lift help, dental implants, etc.  It is people wanting and being promised the fountain of life that Ponce deLeon sought in Florida and they think it might just be found in Washington.

For some, the need for medical help is truly nearly constant and for good reason, but for others, use will be regularly needed for wrong reasons.  Some will need much medical need because of…

• smoking, drinking, partying, and the shooting up of drugs.
• immoral activities resulting in pregnancy, body damaged, or mental damage (guilt and fear)
• laddened with guilt and fear from immoral or criminal activities resulting in poor health
• angered or fear ridden due to divorce issues, the ‘ex’ with the kids, or lawyer bills.

When health care becomes a low hanging fruit appearing succulent and beautiful, some will use and use and use the system.  They will use the system seeking help for a chronic felt-need (need of love, understanding, hope) and some for fake needs (not really sick but thinking they are ill).

Who will not use the system much?  Those who work hard, attend church, follow the Golden Rule, obey the law, and help others – they will seldom use the system at least until aging kicks in.

Furthermore, the medical community will have little incentive to press lifestyle change or restrict the dispensing of drugs.  Doctors will be about working the system and grabbing what can be had.  There will be no insurance agent (third party) to go to bat against “Big Brother” on behalf of the one sick.

The system will be financially taxed – taking more and giving less.  As there will be less-and-less money there will be less-and-less care.  Soon those with very serious and expensive health needs, those chronic, and those aged will be given comfort care and their file moved to the vault.

Those rich will be able to pay for care needed or wanted and all others will languish.  The middle class will be pushed to lower levels.

Will the American public and Congress submit to the Single-Payer system?  I sure hope NOT!