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| Each week our Boomer-In-Charge, Hershel Chicowitz, has something to say about life, society, or what's going on... from the perspective of a baby boomer. This is what's on his mind the week of October 18: |
The Democratic presidential candidates have opened the door to an issue that deserves a great deal of attention and discussion. Both Vice-president Al Gore and former Senator Bill Bradley have revealed proposals for health insurance for children. After all, this is the decade of the child; Bill Clinton said he bombed Kosovo for the children and that the test ban treaty is for the children (he really did); so these proposals come as no surprise. And it should therefore come as no surprise that the 2000 presidential race will be wrapped in issues proudly hailed as "for the children." But the issue I have in mind goes beyond just health insurance for children.
To make my point, I am going to need your help; please be prepared to respond. Everyone who thinks that health insurance "for the children" is a good idea, please raise your hand.
OK, that will do; thank you. (For those of you who did not see, everyone raised their hand; it is unanimous.) Every child should have health insurance. Now, everyone who thinks it would be real nifty for the government to ensure that all children have health insurance, please raise your hand.
There were a couple dissenters this time, but nearly all of you agree that it would be a nifty thing. And how could anyone disagree? Health insurance is a good thing, especially for children, who cannot provide for themselves. And so it would be... nifty for the government to ensure that all children have this coverage. Why not?
Of course, the only way that the government can ensure that children are so protected is to pass a law requiring it. So, the government will tell us that we must provide health insurance for our kids. You should be prepared for that.
And just how will the government make certain that we all comply? Perhaps insurance companies will issue an insurance card for each child, like they do for automobiles. Schools will be responsible for ensuring that each child coming through the front door has a current and valid insurance card. (The teachers have plenty of spare time, anyway; that's what they're there for.) Those students who do not have a card will be referred to CHIP, the Child Health Insurance Police, a branch of the federal government, for handling as they deem appropriate.
Meanwhile, how are those who cannot afford the insurance be expected to comply with the law? Naturally, no Democratic candidate would fail to account for such a possibility. Both candidates' plans will no doubt call for government assistance to those who cannot afford insurance. Of course, there would have to be means testing to ensure that only those who deserve this benefit receive it. To qualify, you would have to fill out a form indicating that you cannot afford the insurance. Of course, some people might shave the truth a bit. So a government enforcement organization would have to review these forms to make sure you tell the truth. Sounds like a job for the IRS, doesn't it? Why of course; let's make this procedure part of your income tax return. What's another form, anyway?
And just how would the government pay for this subsidy to those who cannot afford insurance on their own? Never mind; I just wanted to see if you were still paying attention.
Now, how do we ensure that insurance companies do not gouge the public with this windfall of mandated new business for them dropping into their laps? The government will legislate caps on insurance premiums, just as they have done to other medical services that the government attempts to manage. So the government will pass a slew of laws relating to this, too. And then there will have to be more government snoops to enforce the resulting regulations. And then there will be political action committees with consultants and advocates to lobby the congressmen to structure these regulations to benefit their constituents, who, of course, are so far removed from "the children" that "the children" will be completely ignored in this process. And who do you suppose will pay for all these snoops, lobbyists, consultants, advocates, CHIP officers, and enforcement mechanisms? And of course, they have to have offices, and staff, and furniture, and computers. Do you see a pattern here?
Heck, why not wrap the whole thing together and have the government deduct the insurance premium from our paychecks... just like Medicare?
Ah, ha! We're coming to the crucial point, here. Have any other government laws, mandates, and caps kept the cost of health care from rising? That's another question whose answer is obvious.
In other words, the government will mandate health insurance for our children. But most of us will probably pay more, not less.
Should this mandated insurance cover braces? Why, of course. What about rhinoplasty (a nose job) for the nine year-old whose self-esteem has been shattered as a result of the shadow caused by her protruding nose? What about condoms and birth control pills? Surely these are necessities for today's active children. (Does anybody see a herd of lawyers salivating in the wings here?) And when your son gets a tattoo without your permission, who pays to have it removed? Why, that's what insurance is for, isn't it? If it is not covered yet, just wait till the next election when your representative will be delighted to promise tattoo removal coverage in return for another term in office. Another tattoo, another removal... This is how government works, folks! This is what you said you wanted.
Now, let's back up to one of the first questions. Nearly all of us agreed that it would be nifty for the government to ensure that all children have health insurance, but it is far from being efficient, and it does not mean that we would pay less for that health insurance, or that "the children" would be protected any better than they are now.
But all this bypasses a core question: Whose responsibility is it to maintain our children's health? Is it the government's? 'Cause if it is, you and I are going to pay a heck of the price for government to attempt to meet that responsibility. But if it is not the government's responsibility to do this, then why are we talking about it as if it were?
'Cause there's a national election coming up, that's why. And the politicians are eager to thrust another massive government program on us, especially if they say they can do it without raising taxes. (Like Medicare, it's not a tax; it's an insurance premium.) While sounding like they are providing a great benefit, they are, in fact, further restricting our freedom, and usurping another individual responsibility, replacing it with a huge, expensive government bureaucracy that best serves no one, except itself.
So now comes the most important question: Who is better able to raise, discipline, guide, and provide for your children; you... or the federal government?
Why are you so eager, then, for the government to take over this responsibility?
One final thought: If you think that the main point of this essay is health care, then please... please... think again.
If you want to write more, we're open to offerings from other boomers. If you have something to say of interest to boomers, write it as well as you can in 700-900 words, and send it to us. We can't guarantee we'll publish it, but we'll surely consider it.
For more of Hershel's essays, check the BBHQ Archives or the Boomer Essays.
Hershel will have something else to say on October 25; mark your calendar to come back to BBHQ every Monday.
If you like what we're doing here at BBHQ, please help us by buying stuff through our link to Amazon.com:
| The BBHQ Album of the Month is "Old Friends Live on Stage (Deluxe Edition) (2 CD/1 DVD)," by Simon & Garfunkel. If you were fortunate enough to see them in concert last year, I do not have to sell you. The concert was terrific! This album collection includes 55 songs, plus their new recording, "Citizen of the Planet," and one of the songs sung by the Everly Brothers during the concert. The DVD was recorded during their concert in Madison Square Garden in 2003. For any S&G fan, this is a must have! But then, you knew that already, didn't you? |
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The BBHQ Book of the Month is
"Vinyl Highway," by
Dee Dee Phelps. You remember her as Dee Dee, of Dick and Dee Dee.
Together, they took a decade long ride on the rock and roll roller
coaster. It was a heck of a ride! Dick Clark, Quincy Jones, the Beach
Boys, Glenn Campbell, Dionne Warwick, Bobby Vinton... Dick and Dee Dee
rubbed shoulders with all of them. This is her "behind the scenes" story.
It's pretty cool.
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