The Health Care Industry and their Capitol Hill Protectors Are Sabotaging Our Chance for True Reform

[antigop]

http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/138165/the_health_care_industry_and_their_capitol_hill_protectors_are_sabotaging_our_chance_for_true_reform/

Every so often, I remember Ronald Reagan fondly -- not for his policies but for his skill at the art of persuasion. Right now, for example, I'd like to call the Gipper back to cock his head, give us that quizzical look and say "There you go again."

Yes, there they go again. They are the defenders of the health care status quo -- that is, the insurance industry and its protectors in both parties on Capitol Hill. And they have been frantically arguing these past few weeks that any coming reform of the health insurance system cannot, should not -- and will not, if they have their way -- include a public insurance plan that uninsured individuals can turn to if they find themselves without affordable insurance, or any coverage at all.

Maintaining what amounts to a monopoly on insurance for the working-age population has become a central goal of the insurance industry, which rightly fears that the government will provide more comprehensive coverage at a lower cost. This is, of course, the whole point of overhauling the insurance system. But never mind.

The industry worries that Americans will find out not only that government-supported health insurance isn't a socialist catastrophe (see, for example, Medicare) but a fairer, lower-cost and more efficient system than the expensive, inefficient -- and failing -- market-based system we have now.

[w4rma]

1. They have abused their power for too long. Now our entire nation is falling behind. (nt)

[RaleighNCDUer]

2. The health care industry is like a big ferry boat -

on one bank is a raging wildfire, and on the other is safety. For a price, the ferry will take you to safety. And to make sure you pay that price, the ferryman has a cannon atop the bridge with which he will sink any other boat that tries to cross the river.

The ferryman has no interest in saving lives. He takes no pride in his boat. He just wants his coins.