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We will all pay for others' health care

Date published: 11/25/2009

We will all pay for others' health care

This is regarding Megan Hicks' Nov. 10 letter ["Ask me: We need public option health care"].

Ms. Hicks tell a story of incurring $7,000 in medical bills after insurance paid out, citing this as the reason Congress needs to adopt the public health care option.

What Ms. Hicks is suggesting is that all Americans share the burden of her medical predicament.

I disagree, and I don't think that those who support the public option have thought this out.

Let's say that one-half of the U.S. population incurs the same level of medical expenses that Ms. Hicks did, and let's also assume that the same number of people file taxes every year.

The public option is about having a government-run insurance policy available at a cost paid by taxpayers. It does not promise that it will cover all the costs of medical events; this is why many people buy Medicare supplemental policies to cover costs that Medicare does not.

This means that in addition to medical expenses I incur, Ms. Hicks wants me to bear, through taxation, hers as well.

While the $7,000 medical bill is serious, raising my and her taxes by $7,000 a year is equally traumatic, every payday.

When the government pays for something, that means the taxpayers pay. The sooner we acknowledge this, the sooner common sense will return to the health care debate.

Be wary of those wishing to do well by reaching into your pocket. Ask your neighbor for a ride in the car they bought with your money when they traded in their clunker.

Randy Brooks

Spotsylvania



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Date published: 11/25/2009


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let her pay her $7k down (posted by Jaes , Nov. 28, 2009 7:47 am)   
$40 a month. its an invalid argument, the whole sum doesnt become due at once unless you fail to make any payment, no matter how small.

Sorry for the Type Os... (posted by BLK , Nov. 25, 2009 9:11 pm)   
this Republican run Attack on a Program that is Needed...

Randy Brooks (posted by BLK , Nov. 25, 2009 9:09 pm)   
You are Missing the Whole Point..... You need to STOP listening to Republicans and Think for Your Self.... Do You understand what Public option? Do yu know the meaning of the work Option? Stop Watching Fax and 700 club.. They try and Lead You all like Sheep.... Don't be a Sheep, Be a Free Thinker...

spoon (posted by Jaes , Nov. 25, 2009 7:05 pm)   
our healthcare system is modeled on free trade, not capitalism. I understand Michael Moore wouldn't tell you how to distinguish the two, so therefore I will. In a capitalist market prices are determined by the consumer, in a free market prices are determined by the organization. liberals support free market, republicans support capitalism.. as a consumer which do you support?

No Free Lunch (posted by Faithful_Reader , Nov. 25, 2009 3:41 pm)   
1) The only thing the government can give you is what it has taken from someone else. 2)Yes, the Health Care system needs to be fixed, but not by turning the whole thing over to government control.

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