(EMAILWIRE.COM, March 26, 2008 ) And you think a Single Payer System is good? Socializing healthcare in Texas.
By Carolyn Goodwin, Texas Association of Health Underwriters President

There is much hullabaloo about the advantages of what is known as a single payer system in American today, especially in light of the election activity that is taking place and the excitement during the Texas primaries. But, just how much does the average American know about such systems, and what do they understand about the way they work, and how they are funded?

Sadly, not very much – and it continues to be loaded with political rhetoric and hype. As the health insurance experts in Texas, TAHU exists as an advocate to properly inform the electorate without bias or political resource. A single payer system, or a government run health care system, is yet another panacea that mesmerizes the voters and lulls folks into believing that the government knows what is best for them, or for their parents, or for their children – and can actually run such a system efficiently.

Have you checked social security lately?

Myth #1: Coverage for Everyone

Political pundits tell us that in a single payer system, everyone will have access to healthcare, when they want it, however, that is just so not so. For example, as a 65 year old female with a history of coronary disease, I would not be allowed to receive emergency dialysis to correct acute kidney failure in the United Kingdom. I am too old and have other health conditions that make me an unacceptable candidate. And, in Canada, a 70 year old Multiple Sclerosis patient will be denied any care for heart disease because of his “prior health history.” What would happen if my 65 year old husband fell down a flight of stairs, dislocates his shoulder and needs to be certain extensive surgery is not required. Well, because my husband is an insulin-dependent diabetic, he goes to the bottom of any advanced imaging wait lists. In Canada, that waiting list can be over 18 weeks.

Myth #2: Better Outcomes After Treatment

Supporters of a government run system like to point out that their systems have better outcomes after treatment. Again, just not so. Only two statistics are measured, infant mortality and life expectancy. No credit is given for the different ways different countries account for newborns (American counts them from Day 1), and absolutely nothing is said about American lifestyles, which contributes to our less than three year lower life expectancy average. Let’s face it. Americans on the whole are lazy, overeating, stressed individuals because it’s the life we have created. We live to close the next deal, make the next buck and show up our neighbors with the next, best brand new car. People in Canada, Britain and France walk more, take weeks off for vacation rather than days, and enjoy their tea, their wine and their families.

Myth #3: Universal Healthcare is Free

Oh heavens. Texas must understand what “free” healthcare will do to their tax burden – which again will not affect anyone who currently doesn’t pay taxes, but rather shift an even larger burden to those that do. All taxpayers must understand that their counterparts in other countries pay 50 percent and in some countries even more of their income in taxes to a government that rations their health care and tells them when they can go to the emergency room. There is no such thing as a free lunch. America spends what it wants on health care and we do it because we can, and because we choose to. Nowhere else could I walk into an emergency room with my 8 year old granddaughter who is running a slightly high fever and ask someone to give me comfort that she is not going to die. Only in America does that happen.

And that my fellow Texans, is the crux of our problem. We have forgotten how to take care of ourselves, and to take on some of the financial responsibility for that care. Which bakery provides you a free loaf of bread every week? Which dairy gives you as many gallons of milk as you need and all the butter you want without cost? Which gym allows “free” memberships to anyone who is 50 pounds overweight and needs help? Does any dry cleaner do your clothes for free? Might be a big change for those we have led along this path, but a change to a single payer system for healthcare in America would be an unimaginable burden to taxpayers, and further erode the working middle class.

We can all agree there are problems that must be addressed, but providing universal care through taxpayer burden is clearly not the answer. TAHU will continue to fight on behalf of consumers to find better, more affordable alternatives so that everyone will have access to quality care throughout Texas and throughout the United States.

About the Author

Carolyn Goodwin is the president of the Texas Association of Health Underwriters – a consumer advocacy organization dedicated to educating consumers and businesses about the best practices in health care and health insurance. More information can be accessed at www.tahu.org.

Media Contact

Rodger Roeser, APR
Eisen Management Group
rroeser@eisenmanagementgroup.com
859.291.4302

Contact Information:
Texas Association of Health Underwriters
Rodger Roeser
Tel: 859.291.4302
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