Footing the bill

Amid all the rhetoric and name-calling, the bottom line is that the healthcare bill will benefit some people. The news showed several “feel-good” stories of people who cannot currently afford their medication. They had glowing praise for the lawmakers, who, in their view, have done humanitarian service. No question, many poor and chronically ill stand to benefit, but who will pay for this?

Probably you. Think about that when you hear these stories. It is naïve to think that “the rich” will pay for it or the insurance companies. Insurance companies get their money from you, and when they start billing you (either directly or though your work), they are not going to ask if you are “the rich.” Further, when companies are forced to provide costly benefits to employees, and consequently need to raise their prices, it will be for all.

And that is just for the redistribution of wealth part. You will also pay higher taxes to support the enormous bureaucracy that a government-run “mandatory” program will require. I know, proponents say that the costs are tax-neutral; they will be collecting fines from the non-compliant. Yeah, right. I may be wrong but people who choose not to buy health insurance may not be your best fine-payers.

“You vill buy health insurance or ve vill fine you.” Ah, just as the Founding Fathers envisioned.