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November 4, 1:01 PMKissimmee Conservative ExaminerEdward Nasello

Health care bill proposed by Democrats consists of 1,990 pages of government regulation and red tape
AP Photo/Harry Hamburg

After several months of behind-closed-doors wheeling and dealing, Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats have finally given us a health care reform bill to look at—and it is not pretty. At 1,990 pages, the bill calls for the creation of 111 new federal bureaucracies, will increase taxes, and carries a price tag likely to exceed $1.2 trillion over the next ten years (despite previous claims the bill would not exceed $900 billion).

The centerpiece of the proposal is a government-run public option for health care. Why is this a bad idea?

First, anytime government is part of the equation, decisions that are made are usually politically motivated. This would also likely be the first step down the road to single-payer health care, run by the federal government (just take Democrats at their own word). If you are looking for the model of inefficiency, look no further than a government run institution—think post office, motor vehicle, or Congress. Enough said.

Then there is the cost of this boondoggle to consider. Whether the final price tag is closer to $900 billion or $1.2 trillion does not really matter. With our current total nation debt at almost $12 trillion, we cannot endure the financial burden this would place on our nation. Let’s not continue to ask our children and grandchildren to pay the cost for our excesses.

When one looks at the size and scope of the overly ambitious piece of legislation proposed by liberal Democrats, one question must be asked: Why such a major overhaul of our health care system?

Despite some of its shortcomings (and regardless of what Michael Moore may think) the health care system in the United States is the best in the world. This is an important fact that we must not lose sight of. Recent polls show that 80% of Americans are happy with the quality of their health care, and 61% of Americans are satisfied with the cost of their health care. So why are our representatives in Washington so tone deaf to the voice of the American people? To support the current health care bill under consideration simply defies the will of the American people.

What should be done?

Some conservative Republicans have put forth a variety of suggestions for reducing health care costs in a manner that would not require a total overhaul of the health care system, and would not run the risk of compromising the quality of care. Bobby Jindal and House Republicans have put forth several common sense suggestions that merit consideration—

• Lawsuit reform
• Rebates and incentives to reward healthy lifestyle choices
• Increasing incentives for people to use health savings accounts
• Allowing insurance companies to compete across state lines
• Establishing purchasing pools for individuals and small businesses

Unlike the ideas put forth by Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats, who seek to give government greater power and control over the health care of the American people, conservative Republicans have provided suggestions that would empower individuals.

Is there still time for conservative voices to weigh in on the debate over health care reform?

Yes—but the hour is getting late.