Health Care

Health Care - New York Times:

"The major Democratic candidates are, by and large, proposing to build on this mixed system, shoring up the employer-based segment while expanding public programs for those who fall between the cracks. Some Democratic activists, in fact, are sorely disappointed that the major candidates once again stop short of a true national health insurance program."

Let's not confuse the issue. Certainly one makes valid arguments on the point of this being socialism in thin disguise. However, we should look to performance of services rather than ubiquity of coverage. Universal insurance coverage does not equal universal health care. We've seen the results of deregulation: Ma Bell in 1982, the airline industry in 1978, the rail industry and motor industry in 1980 all brought cheaper prices, better services, and more consumer choice. Government health care amounts to a regulated monopoly of the least efficient kind. That's why Canadians come to the US for urgent care needs and are desperately looking to privatize their ailing health care system. In socialized medicine more kids and poor families may have "coverage" on paper, but the services available to them will be worse at higher public cost. If you think health care is expensive now, just wait until it is free.