The Speech – Reaction
September 10, 2009Jon Brooks Comments OffThe Healthcare Economist, annotating Obama’s health care address:
We are the only advanced democracy on Earth – the only wealthy nation – that allows such hardships for millions of its people.
One must keep in mind that although health insurance is important, it is only a means to an end. That end is better health. Reducing illness rates through public health initiatives, clean water, better sewage disposal, better eating habits, and exercise may be more beneficial to improving health than simply expanding health insurance.
…it will be against the law for insurance companies to deny you coverage because of a pre-existing condition. As soon as I sign this bill, it will be against the law for insurance companies to drop your coverage when you get sick or water it down when you need it most.
Disallowing insurance companies to drop individuals with pre-existing conditions will do either one of two things. If insurance companies can raise prices, individuals with pre-existing conditions will simply face extremely high premiums. If insurance companies are not allowed to raise premiums, the premiums for healthier enrollees will have to cover this additional cost.
I understand that the politically safe move would be to kick the can further down the road – to defer reform one more year, or one more election, or one more term.
This is 100% true. Obama the politician should just do nothing and let Medicare run out of money and let the next politician deal with the crisis. Obama the statesman has decided use his office to enact these reforms. Whether or not you agree with Obama’s plan, it is admirable for him to go out on a limb to attempt to solve our some of our health care problems.
