Freedom to Choose Healthcare

                The liberty principle for this Freedom Friday concerns the freedom to buy health insurance for ourselves and our families. This freedom has long been curtailed by laws banning the purchase of health insurance across state lines and other such laws and regulations. It was nearly killed by Obamacare.

                Many Republicans and conservative politicians campaigned with the promise to end Obamacare, and voters rewarded Republicans with control of the White House, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives. A vote on Obamacare will soon be taken because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said that the Senate’s first vote will be a repeal of Obamacare. 

                Republicans seem willing to repeal Obamacare, but they do not have a consensus on whether to repeal it bit by bit or as a whole. They also have not agreed on what its replacement should be. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), the junior Senator from Kentucky, published his opinion on the matter. He writes:

                “Congress will, as its first course of action, vote to repeal Obamacare. It cannot happen soon enough.

                “All around us, Obamacare crumbles in chaos. Premiums are exploding. The state run health co-ops are mostly bankrupt. Many individuals who gained subsidized insurance are still, for all practical purposes, without insurance because the deductibles are beyond the reach of low income workers.

                “As we repeal Obamacare, we would be wise to vote on its replacement at the same time. What should we replace Obamacare with? Perhaps we should try freedom: 1. The freedom to choose inexpensive insurance free of government dictates. 2. The freedom to save unlimited amounts in a health savings account. 3. The freedom to buy insurance across state lines. 4. The freedom for all individuals to join together in voluntary associations to gain the leverage of being part of a large insurance pool.

                “If Congress fails to vote on a replacement at the same time as repeal, the repealers risk assuming the blame for the continued unraveling of Obamacare. For mark my words, Obamacare will continue to unravel and wreak havoc for years to come.”

                Senator Rand’s opinion piece continues, and you can find it at this site. 

                I do not personally have any experience with Obamacare because my husband and I are covered by Medicare. We have never had to pay an Obamacare premium or penalty, but we have problems finding doctors because many of them do not accept Medicare patients. Medicare and Obamacare are both government programs, but some government programs are worse than others!

                I vote for Freedom in choosing our healthcare premiums, programs and providers.