Healthcare Debate, Public Option vs. Private Responsibility

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The current healthcare debate centers around bringing 47 million uninsured people in to some form of health insurance. The way to accomplish this is at the center of the debate.

The heart of the plan for congressional Democrats, commonly called "Obamacare" after President Obama, is a Public Option. The public option is being sold as a public-run insurance company that competes with private insurance companies to "keep them honest." Supporters of the public option say that competition of the public option with private health insurance companies will drive prices down for those health insurance companies. They further claim that the public option will maintain competitiveness by not operating for profit.

Opponents of the public option believe that it will be a Trojan Horse used to create a single-payer system. Many supporters of the public option support it for the very same reason. The belief is that a public option would be supplemented by tax dollars artificially driving premiums down. On this level, private companies cannot compete with the government since private companies cannot use force to draw money from one group in order to supplement the medical care of others. The fear is that, in time, the public option will drive all competition out of business.

As public sentiment grows against a public option, the idea of using Co-ops has been floated. Many feel that the co-ops would provide the same problems as government sponsored health insurance. If, in fact, the co-op is subsidized and run by government officials, it could have the same effect as a government option on health care. Some speculate that a co-op, although a private institution, would interfere with the markets much like Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac interferes in the financial and housing markets.

Under certain proposals, employers would be given the option of either supplying health insurance to their employees or, optionally, paying a government tax while their employees enroll in the government option. Many companies have reported that they would likely take this option, punting medical and administrative costs to the government thereby contributing to the potential of the government option overtaking private insurance companies.

Regardless of where the healthcare debate takes us, everyone can agree that reducing medical costs should be a goal of healthcare reform. Fortunately, we don't need to wait for reform to reduce costs. This is something we, as individuals can do now

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Congressional conservatives favor free market reform when it comes to addressing health care issues. Conservatives prefer to use market forces to drive down costs while keeping the health care system that many experts agree is the best in the world.

One issue that conservatives have pushed for years is Tort Reform. Tort is the lawsuits that trial attorneys bring against doctors for medical malpractice. Economists argue that in addition to the costs of the suits and settlements themselves, medical practice lawsuits drive up doctors insurance. Additionally, doctors are compelled to conduct excessive testing on patients to guard against future suites. They must be able to demonstrate that they have gone above and beyond necessary tests to protect themselves. It is difficult to quantify just how much medical tort costs the system; however it is thought to be substantial.

Many argue that trial lawyers advocate for patients rights through the law suits. They argue that without the threat of suits, patient would be left helpless when wronged.

Additionally, conservatives argue for increased competition between insurance companies by allowing health insurance companies to compete across state lines. Presently, an insurance company must incorporate in the state that it intends to provide for. This limits competion thereby driving up prices. Ironically, these laws were passed by congress at the behest of big insurance companies to limit competition. Congressmen are all too happy to comply when it comes to bid dollar lobbies.

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