There is much hullabaloo about the advantages of what is known as a single payer system in America today, especially in light of the election and the excitement during the Texas primaries. But just how much does the average American know about such systems and how they are funded?
Sadly, not very much — and it continues to be loaded with political rhetoric and hype. 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
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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, dislocated his shoulder and needed screening to be certain surgery were not required? 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, and absolutely nothing is said about American lifestyles, which contribute to our 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 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
Texas must understand what "free" healthcare will do to their tax burden — which will not affect anyone who currently doesn't pay taxes, but rather shift an even larger burden to those who do. All taxpayers must understand that their counterparts in other countries pay 50 percent or 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.
And that 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.
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.
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