Rationed Health Care

Thoughts in progress.

I find it interesting that in the current debate, the reporters and congress are carefully using the term "Health Care" while most American's think "Health Insurance".

There is an enormous difference between the two.

"Health Care" can be compared to "Car Care" or "Home Care": all the things an individual or an owner does to keep up their car or home. And everyone does it differently. My cars tend to be older - I haven't paid more than $5,000 for a car in 20years - but we keep them running, somehow. I use my knowledge and it saves me money.

I try to do the same with "Health Care": I chose the Health Savings Account at work and a "Health Insurance" policy with a high deductible. The total bill is much less than I would pay for traditional insurance - and we have more freedom. The high deductible covers us for any real health care crisis: colds, flu, broken bones are easily handled by the health savings account.

In the discussion going in the halls of congress, I'm afraid that we might be getting managed health care rather than my personal version of health choice. Managed health care is where someone else chooses what procedures are available and what doctors are on the list and how much the doctors will be paid for what procedure. Instead of me making a choice and paying for it, someone else is doing so.

That is rationing. Just because this is the "full health coverage" offered by big business, demanded by unions, and granted to government workers, doesn't change the basic fact that it is rationed health care. Some just have a fatter ration book than others.

A basic economic observation about anything that is rationed is... (you can fill in most the blanks and I bet they are not positive) people will try to maximize their use of the rationed goods. Thus creating shortages, black markets, etc., etc.

Think about it.