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“This is just one sliver of it”
Agreed

Washington, Dec 15 -

To the gut-wrenching agony of liberal activists everywhere, it appears the President and Senate Democrats are ready to drop a true “public option” from their government takeover of health care. But to reference one eloquent speaker, the government-run plan is not the entire problem with the health care power grab. Far from it.

“All I'm saying is, though, that the public option, whether we have it or we don't have it, is not the entirety of health care reform. This is just one sliver of it, one aspect of it.” (President Obama, 8/15/09, Grand Junction, Colorado)

Amen. As we’ve always said, it doesn’t take a government-run plan to create a government takeover of health care. This is not to say that the public option would not be a disaster for patient-centered health care in America. Disaster, in fact, might be an understatement. But there is oh so much more packed into the 2,000 pages that will grant Washington sweeping powers over the medical decisions of all patients.

Let’s do a little deconstruction of everything Washington would still have its hands on under the proposed reform.

What’s covered in each health care plan. Check

A government bureaucrat would decide the “minimum level of care” for every American, regardless if that package suits the patient’s needs. Don’t buy government-approved plans? Pony up some huge taxes.

Who keeps their current plan. Check

We’ve just covered the requirement to buy government-approved plans, but others will also see their coverage go bye-bye. Seniors on Medicare Advantage – sorry, huge cuts. Rely on Flexible Spending Accounts or Health Savings Accounts? Yup, those are gone too. You can keep your plan, just so long as Washington likes it as much as you do.

What are appropriate treatments for patients. Check

Government councils and task forces now hold sway over what type of treatments patients should have access to. Your doctor’s opinion is nice, but what use is it when a Washington board has it all figured out? Can you say mammogram?

Medicare cuts. Check

Seniors beware. Not only does the bill provide no long-term solution for the annual cuts to Medicare physician reimbursements, it takes an ax to the program with almost $500 billion in spending reductions – or cuts.

Medicaid expansion further stretching state budgets. Check

Hey, if Washington can’t come up with the cash for expanded coverage, why not dump it on the states. The proposed bill would push millions more onto the program, 1 in 6 Americans potentially, and then ask states to pick up a $25 billion unfunded mandate.

Higher taxes. Check

But don’t think taxpayers and patients aren’t going to pay the price for reform at the federal level. The plan includes $493 billion in higher taxes. These are taxes on individuals, businesses (job creators), health insurers, drug makers, and even medical device manufacturers.

A pseudo government-run plan. Oh yeah, check

You didn’t think they’d completely drop their shot at controlling a new health care delivery bureaucracy, did you? The proposed new system run by the Office of Personnel Management to keep private insurers “honest” would set the rules of this competition with complete control over the system.

In sum, Washington tells you that you must purchase health care. And then tells you what kind of coverage you must have. And then Washington tells your doctor how to treat you within that coverage. What’s left for patients to decide?

Oh, that’s right: whether to go along with the government-approved health care or to pay a fine. Now that’s choice!