Michael Tanner’s latest policy analysis from CATO contains an important nugget: with all the calls to do something about the “healthcare crisis,” what’s not being considered is the first alternative: do nothing.
While most of the policy paper focuses on seven bad ideas that will likely be introduced in forthcoming legislation, the main conclusion is that “doing something” in this context means a complete re-tooling of American healthcare as we know it.
Analyzed in the seven bad policies are ideas gleaned from statements made by then candidate Obama, the President now, the President’s healthcare advisers, and the Congressional Democrats who will be responsible for passing the President’s agenda.
It’s also worth noting that in Tanner’s analysis, as many as 1.6 million jobs could be lost in the first five years after employer mandated insurance is imposed. Furthermore, it’s important to call a spade a spade: While it may sound politically appealing for businesses to bear the newly created tax burden, it’s clear that won’t be who actually bears the actual costs. Whether it’s an employer or individual mandate, Tanner writes, that just chalks up to a tax in disguise.
What is often over looked is the costs that will be imposed with such a high degree of government intervention in the economy under Obamacare. According to the policy analysis, “the final proposal would impose an unprecedented level of government control over one-sixth of the U.S. economy.” We know what government does when it gets its hands on private enterprise, and it’s not turning it into gold, or in this case, gold-plated healthcare coverage.
Americans following the healthcare debate may believe, “doing something is better than doing nothing.” However, the consequences of Obamacare, which Tanner argues will eventually evolve into a single-payer system, could be far worse than maintaining the status quo. A doctor’s ability to practice medicine as they know it could significantly change and be controlled by far removed bureaucrats. For individuals, choices could dwindle and there’s a real possibility that the quality of care would plummet as well.
Keep that in mind the next time you hear “doing nothing” assailed as an option not on the table.
Tags: alternatives, CATO Institute, Michael Tanner
