Prof. Reich mentions the issue of mandates and their role in providing “universal health care.” Mandates would force Americans to buy insurance, regardless of its quality, cost or whether they need insurance in the first place. Mandates destroy the market, raise prices and limit consumer choice. In addition, the so-called “option” of government-run health care would drive out private insurers who actually have to compete for customers, leaving consumers with one choice: the government. People will not have the option of keeping the care they want, because it won’t exist.
Good intentions aside, mandates mean higher prices and fewer choices for Americans, and do not solve the problems facing health care today. Most people think health care needs reform, and yet some of them suggest forcing dissatisfied consumers to buy a bad product. This makes no sense.
Consumers should have a choice of whether they want insurance and decide for themselves which plan best fits their needs. The high cost of health insurance is a direct result of too much government involvement and “solutions” like mandates.
Kate Campaigne ([email protected]) is a legislative specialist for The Heartland Institute.
