Stepping into the Public Option Debate

Robert Reich just posted a YouTube video giving several reasons why we need a Public Option. I heard several reasons why we need it:

1. You can keep your existing coverage if you want
2. Pharmaceutical and insurances companies are against it
3. It will not add to our national debt
4. It will compete against current health insurance companies

I still do not see why the Public Option is necessary. If I want to keep my existing coverage, why do I care about the Public Option? Who cares what the pharmaceutical and insurance companies are for or against? Not having this program will not add to our national debt, but who knows for sure if it will not add to it?

I'm more interested with the idea of competing against existing insurance companies. Recently, Rep. Henry Waxman sent letters to the top 52 health insurance companies in the nation to inquire about their business practices. If we already have 52 huge insurance companies and hundreds of smaller ones, why is it so important to add another competitor to the health care arena? If the reason is that this will compete nationally, why don't we just change the insurance rules to allow coverage across state lines?

Health Care Questions to Congress

If companies find out that it would be cheaper for them to pay the 8% penalty and drop coverage, the insurance companies would lose business. In turn, they would have to either raise rates for other people or layoff employees. Either outcome will start the cycle over and more people will be on the government plan. I would like to know what provisions are being made to ensure that insurance companies will remain a viable competitor to the government health plan. Are there any insurance companies too big to fail?

Will all Congressmen and Congresswomen be on this health plan? Will the First Lady? Will the Obama children be on this plan?

The Cash for Clunkers was considered widely successful...spending a billion dollars withing two weeks instead of the 4-5 months planned. If the government could be so wrong about how much this small plan cost, why should I believe that your estimates about the cost of the health care plan will be accurate?

If a wealthy person wanted to start a new health insurance company, would they be able to do so?

What is the most a person should be in taxes a year, even the wealthy? 40%? 50%? 80%? Would you make that statement publicly? Would you be willing to make that public policy?

Is there an exit strategy in case this doesn't work?

If people are complaining about the high prices and availability of insurance and the government believes it needs to step in and give everyone insurance, what other industries will the government take an active roll? If auto prices are too high, will the government soon offer everyone a new car? If tobacco and alcohol cause too many social problems, will the government take over these industries? If groceries become too expensive, will the government start a new grocery chain to force more competition? Why is it just health care?

Are there any incentives to be healthy in the government plan? Incentives to quit smoking? Incentives to lose weight? Incentives to have an annual physical? Are there incentives to use your primary physician instead of just using the emergency room?

Will you read the legislation?

Rights and Restrictions

The U.S. Constitution lists several rights that Americans have.  These might include freedom of religion, speech, assembly, and privacy.  Privacy is not directly mentioned, but it is generally interpreted that way from several of the items in the Bill of Rights.  These written rights are defended by all Americans...

...until something happens and then some restrictions are added.  You can't yell 'Fire' in a crowded room.  You really don't have the right of privacy if you are a celebrity.  You can't own a firearm until you are an adult.  Even the Constitution itself mentions libel and slander while also mentioning the freedom of speech and press.  The end result is that we have some restrictions and responsibilities on each of our rights.

So I am wondering what are the rights, restrictions, and responsibilities of some of our 'rights' that are not specifically written into the Constitution.  In particular, what are the boundaries to our 'right' to a quality education, our 'right' to quality health care, and our 'right' to an abortion?