Sunday, August 2, 2009

The Soul of the Single Payer Advocate

The following letter appeared in the Star-Ledger Reader Forum on 7/30/09

Better in Canada

Canadian-style health care is much better than even insured services in New Jersey.

Americans are debating health care insurance, and they should. I can tell you that having a health care insurance system available to everyone is way better than the systems in place in New Jersey, even for those with insurance plans, and infinitely better for those who can't afford the private plans. I grew up in New Jersey and married a Canadian, and now live in Canada, but have a relative with health issues still in New Jersey, so I have a good comparison.

With a publicly organized health care insurance plan, you can concentrate on your health, instead of your bank balance. No different list of doctors depending on which plan you are in. No HMO to deal with. Find a local doctor, make an appointment, show your health card -- that's it. Specialists are covered by referral from there. Just the reduced stress in dealing with the health care system is a health benefit.

Kathleen O'Neil, Toronto


My Commentary:

Posted by Zemack on 08/02/09 at 8:40AM

Kathleen O'Neil writes:

"With a publicly organized health care insurance plan, you can concentrate on your health, instead of your bank balance."

But your bank balance represents something profoundly moral...the money earned through your own productive work. Your money represents your means of purchasing the goods and services you need but that are produced by others. Your bank balance stands for your ability to earn your own keep.

By disconnecting "your bank balance" from your responsibility to "concentrate on your own health", Ms. O'Neil is in essence demanding that someone else be forced to pay for your health care.

The real soul of the advocates of a "Canadian-style", "publicly organized health care insurance plan" is the moocher.

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