Hillary Care

By

William D. Dannenmaier

Rabid Republicans and other thoughtful people believe the most recent health plan put forth by Hillary Clinton is simply a reincarnation of her proposal that so horrified them several years ago.  The claim that 45 million people do not have health insurance is a distortion of statistics, as those 45 include 15 million illegal immigrants, new born children, and those who don’t wish to buy it as well as those who wish health insurance, but can’t purchase it. One study examining the 45 million and breaking it down into different groups concluded that there were fewer than a million people who wanted health insurance couldn’t afford it: people like my son Stephen who remains a student but is now too old to be included in my family policy.

Then there are those who could easily afford health insurance, but choose not to buy it.  A neighbor fits this category.  As the owner of a construction company, he makes more money a year than I ever made as a teacher.  Democrat Senate Majority leader Harry Reid, in an impassioned defense of the “new” plan, introduced two children who had been severely injured in an accident.  They were his examples of the need for this free coverage.  Michelle Malkin (Townhall.com, October 10, 2007) reviewed their case as no major media “reporter” bothered to do.  These children’s parents, who reported a taxable income of $45, 000, live in a home valued at $300, 000.  They have two new looking automobiles and a new looking truck in their driveway.  He owns his own business and employs his wife, who has a second job.  The children attend expensive, private, schools (There are two other children.) and both sets of grandparents are wealthy.  Mr. Reid reported their insurance would cost them a thousand dollars a month, but a blogger reported that it would be possible to purchase full coverage for five hundred a month.  To me, this combination sounds more like a case for investigation by the IRS then one for charity.

Another writer points out that the inference in the political tears for the uninsured 45 million is that they don’t receive health care.  That is not true. There are numerous government programs helping those in need – another neighbor, for example, learned that by remaining unemployed and single the government would pay all expenses when she had her baby.  She had a private room and received all necessary equipment – high chair, crib etc., - all new and all “free” except to taxpayers.  Additionally, most, if not all, hospitals accept people who need assistance but can’t pay for it, adding those costs to the bills of those who can pay.

The truth is that Hillary’s health plan is not designed to help the poor who are ill and probably wouldn’t receive health care.  The hidden agenda is to help the economy.  Notice that her proposed law would require that everyone – EVERYONE – have health insurance.  Consider what this means.

New born infants would be required to have insurance.  Every hospital would have to employ guards to stand at the doors to check a newborn’s health insurance card (HIC) before it could leave the hospital.  Additional nurses, beds and guards (to check for HICs) would be employed to care for the infants without HICs until their parents could provide them.  This would be an assist to the economy, all paid for with taxes from across the nation. 

Many states, including California, currently require everyone to have automobile insurance; else they are subject to penalties, perhaps including jail time.  Driving without insurance is a crime in California.  But one estimate is that twenty percent (20%) of California drivers do not have insurance. 

Now we shall have Living without Health Insurance (L/HI) crimes for the entire nation.  Consider the boon to the economy.  More police, more judges, more jails and more jail construction.  This last will help the construction industry, which has had a slow down in home building.  Everyone will be happy, except those facing additional and increased taxes.

All of this increase in taxes means less money in the pockets of working people to spend on such frivolous items as housing, food, clothing and education.  But, what the heck, Hillary will have provided “free” health care for everyone: those currently receiving “free” care through welfare, those who choose not to purchase health care and those who are currently paying for health insurance through union and company payment plans.

Who says there is no Mrs. Santa Clause?

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