Experience reveals problems of government-run health care

Mildred Rainwater, the Flowery Branch woman who had problems getting her 94-year-old mother cared for at a dentist’s office, has given us all a peek at a troubled future. Troubled, that is, if we put the government in charge of health care, letting it set prices and the budget.

Ms. Rainwater reports that she was told her mother’s Medicaid could not cover the treatment because the dentist was on contract with PeachCare. When she offered to pay for the treatment herself, she said she was told that was not possible.

Again, this is just a hint of the decline in health care we will see if we adopt universal health care. This will entail complex regulations that confuse most of us as the number of programs and the amount of paperwork increases; shortages of physicians, notably in specialties; a slowing of innovation in medical procedures, treatment, drugs and advanced technology that saves lives; plus long waits for treatment.

Since Medicare has become America’s dominate health care insurer, and thus a major shaper of health care, we’re already seeing such trends, as Mildred Rainwater’s experience shows us yet again. These trends can be seen in their far more advanced and troubling state in Canada and in Britain, both of which have universal health care.

Voters need to take a close look at other countries’ actual experiences with universal health care. Don’t buy the speculative promises of HillaryCare II and its kind. Instead, look at the real thing, look at what universal health care is delivering and what if fails to deliver.

My heart goes out to Ms. Rainwater and her mother.

James R. Pilgrim, Gainesville
Jim Pilgrim is the Assistant Secretary of the Hall County Republican Party

Originally published in the Gainesville Times Tuesday, October 2, 2007