Charlotte Schnieders
Jefferson City
Dear Editor:
Responding to LTE May 18 when analytically comparing healthcare of the U.S. to other countries a knowledge that factors are the same would be needed. For instance: population size, number of users, procedures and medicines covered, waiting times for care, success of that care, doctors’ malpractice insurance costs, limits on lawsuits if any, or comparisons would logically be wrong.
Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, government plays a huge roll in costs. It regulates what doctors receive for Medicare patients — dropping it so low fewer doctors accept Medicare, so supplemental policies are needed to cover costs. Government requires extensive paperwork limiting the number of patients seen and doctor penalties result in many resigning. There was no discussion of tort reform so doctors’ insurance cost sky-rocketed — more resignations.
The ACA when passed in 2010 wasn’t supposed to cover illegals or abortions. Low enrollment resulted in coverage for both at taxpayer expense. Unfortunately, doctors insert those bills on insured patients, but insurance companies won’t investigate. So, if current coverage cost $3.5 trillion, how can Medicare for All possibly work with 180 million losing private insurance coverage? The U.S. budget enhanced by 6 million more workers under Trump is only $4 trillion. That covers three components: spending for discretionary, mandatory and the interest on the debt which is over 22 trillion and rising. Americans/hospitals cannot cover cost now resulting in facilities closing. So, opening the borders as Democratic presidential hopefuls desire and covering millions of uninsured migrants will result in longer waiting periods, fewer covered procedures, unimaginable costs for Americans that worked their whole life to have.
The Democratic plan is higher taxes on businesses, the wealthy and even lower payments to doctors. Reality is the wealthy have hidden off-shore accounts, dividend income taxed lower and high-priced accountants finding loopholes. Thus, the estate tax Trump removed and Republicans lower taxes will evaporate. The history of raising taxes on businesses and people always leads to economic disasters. Republicans want competition across states/countries to lower prescription costs, tort reform and will cover pre-existing conditions! Once again, the Democratic redistribution scheme takes from the hard-working, innovative people! Remember when Grueber said we had to lie to get ACA passed, but Americans are so “stupid?” Let’s not be stupid again and believe Democratic lies that “Medicare For All” and all this “free stuff” is affordable.