Easy answer on denile of services in ObamaCare
July 22nd, 2009Tonight Obama fielded two questions that should be a cinch to answer. First, from Steve Koff at the Plain Dealer:
One, can you guarantee that this legislation will lock in and say the government will never deny any services, that that’s going to be decided by the doctor and the patient, and the government will not deny any coverage?
Then from Jake Tapper at ABC:
But experts say that in addition to the benefits that you’re pushing, there is going to have to be some sacrifice in order for there to be true cost-cutting measures, such as Americans giving up tests, referrals, choice, end-of-life care.
When you describe health care reform, you don’t — understandably, you don’t talk about the sacrifices that Americans might have to make. Do you think — do you accept the premise that other than some tax increases on the wealthiest Americans, the American people are going to have to give anything up in order for this to happen?
The answer here is obvious: Do you and your doctor get everything you want and everything that’s best for your care in the current system? Do you really have choice? No. Your insurance company will decline claims all the time for questionable medical reasons. A public plan will ensure that doctors will make these decisions based on effectiveness and not profitability. On top of that, millions of Americans don’t get to make these decisions at all because they aren’t insured and they will be with insurance reform. And the plans on the table now require preventative care and early detection testing that aren’t always covered by insurance. It’s not about what will be taken away but about what’ll be gained.