the patient is ready...
Surveys show that Americans virtually never know what they're voting about (e.g., Philip Converse's classic studies, repeatedly confirmed). However, our lack of knowledge doesn't stop most people from getting heated up. A lot of people are now developing -- or parroting -- opinions on health care. Do they know what they're talking about?
Conservative Republicans are absolutely furious that socialized medicine is about to descend on America. Liberals are disgusted that stupid, ignorant conservatives can make such misguided assertions -- but most of them can't tell you what's in the health care proposals, either.
Before you make up your own mind, why don't you find out a few facts? I've saved you the effort of Googling, by choosing 5 easy clicks to get you up to speed:
1. What's happening right now in Congress? Don't worry so much about the Town Hall grand-standing, this Aug. 1 NY Times article gives you a very clear idea of where we are now in the legislative process: steps away from a partisan-line vote which will create a national health care system with mandatory universal coverage. There is more consensus in Congress than would seem apparent from our news coverage, which focuses on polarization.
2. Want to understand the context and history of the health care debate? Better start again with the Old Gray Lady, as the NY Times has built an excellent web-center with a very clear intro article here.
3. By this point, your next question might be, why do we need to go through this? Do we really need reform that badly? Now you should glance through the Obama administration's economic analysis of our health care system -- in a report (PDF file) prepared by the Council of Economic Advisers. It shows that we can't afford NOT to undertake reform. Our health care system is the most expensive in the world for reasons that no one can justify. We're not getting our money's worth, and without reform, the situation would get much, much worse. In short, bad health care makes us all poorer.
4. By now you're worried you're not getting a balanced view. What are the critics of reform saying -- are any of them sensible? Start with this Fortune magazine column on the potential costs and downsides. Columnist Kelly argues that we will eventually be forced into a government-managed system that will reduce options and freedoms, and will also be more expensive for some people.
5. Finish up with the criticism from the right-wing columnist Charles Krauthammer, who argues that we are re-making the whole health care system when it would be easier just to cut out the largest inefficiencies.
You've now been exposed to the facts! Now you can start thinking about this issue -- and make up your own mind.
What's the difference between Health care reform and Health care "INSURANCE" reform?
Obama and other democrats are now calling the health care reform, health care insurance reform. So what's the difference?
Posted by: cialis online | Feb 05, 2010 at 11:47 AM