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Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
"Come now and let us reason together." The text, taken from the book of Isaiah, resonated with me as I sat in my church's weekly leadership class. Our senior pastor and bishop, a former corporate professional, schooled us on coalition building, framing the argument and, ultimately, swaying critics. Though the intended topic was not health-care reform, the message was timely. As Congress has shown, winning consensus can be a heroic feat of high-wire acrobatics.
In maneuvering to overhaul the American health-care system, legislators could further jeopardize our fiscal health if we fixed health care on the backs of the "rich." Although we cannot afford to preclude tax hikes of any variety, we must prioritize sound choices, especially since personal revenues are shrinking and defining the wealthy has become somewhat arbitrary.
A counterpoint: Those who are more affluent can bear the cross of steeper income taxes because of the trade-off of lower insurance premiums. In addition, supporters argue that the rich game the system through loopholes and deductions, thereby avoiding their fair share of the tax burden. Though these claims are valid, they underscore another political hotbed: re-evaluating the current tax code. Instead of an added surcharge, however, other judicious alternatives could include capping itemized deductions, allowing the Bush era tax cuts to expire and levying fees on the pharmaceutical and insurance industries ---two stakeholders not to be allowed off the hook.
Difficult problems often require difficult positions. Still, we are obligated to wade through the tedious wrangling and arrive at the right solutions -- the best fit given the precarious economic climate. At a time when seemingly no family has been spared, there are better ways to fund the restructuring of the health-care system other than higher income tax rates. Although a clever blend of savings and new spending is warranted, bullying the haves with excessive taxes and pitting the have-nots as their proverbial foe is, frankly, dated and unimaginative.
The key to subsidizing health-care reform appears to be choosing the most appropriate tax without placing undue constraints on the have-nots, the haves and the have mores. Further, shouldn't health-care reform actually be reflected in some behavior which directly affects health? Legislators have passed over an excise on sugary drinks, sodas and alcoholic beverages, which would present a rather viable option. Mere cents on the dollar could turn into billions, make inroads in the obesity epidemic and prove pivotal in showcasing wellness efforts. In the past, smokers have been penalized, so why not imbibers? Particularly since the benefit would be felt both in the nation's pocketbook and the public's waistline.
The majority of Americans are primed for comprehensive health-care legislation. As such, financing must be creative and diverse, and not burdensome during a fragile economic recovery. It seems Congress could have benefited from leadership class that night.
By
Chris T. Pernell
|
July 14, 2009; 1:11 PM ET
| Category:
Health Care Reform
,
Taxes
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Posted by: weeson | July 23, 2009 12:39 AM
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"COME NOW LET US REASON TOGETHER."
Profound words of Logic, if only the Elected Representatives would join together and work out a "VALID HEALTH CARE PLAN".
The Republicans have labeled themselves the "INFAMOUS PARTY OF NO", and the so-called "BLUE DOG DEMOCRATS", are posed to throw a 'WRENCH', into the Health Care Plan.
In this "GOD FORSAKEN COUNTRY", 'MONEY MATTERS, I repeat "MONEY MATTERS."
The Health of this Nation, to those in POWER, is 'IRRELEVANT'. That's the main reason Health Care for all Americans has been put on the "BACK BURNER", for over 50 years.
The people and Corporations who make 'Billions of dollars each year, refuse to give it up.
If Children, Seniors Citizens, working Class people got to suffer and "DIE", "OH WELL!!!!"
The "PROFITS", are to high with the Health Care System that exist, and as long as the General Public, remains "HOODWINKED, and CONFUSED." The Insurance companies will continue to make out like 'BANDITS'.
Posted by: austininc4 | July 19, 2009 11:40 PM
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This article accurately sums up both sides of the healthcare debate, but it seems that no one wants to compromise in order to overhaul the system.
Posted by: prophetessjnc | July 15, 2009 3:37 PM
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Myth - "It will be very expensive to get good health to everyone."
Fact - Actually there's a way we can have better universal health care at no more than we are now paying (see 5. below). Here are the facts (cf. www.pnhp.org):
1. We waste $100 - $200 Billion a year on the high overhead of insurance companies.
2. We waste $200 - $300 Billion a year on doctors filling out forms for insurance companies.
3. I don't know the compliance cost of patients fighting with insurance companies, but it must also be in the 100's of Billions.
4. We pay the highest drug cost in the world to drug companies that spend twice as much on profit and three times as much on "marketing" as they spend on research. This is about another $100 Billion each year.
5. Because of the above, we could give Super Medicare (few limitations, no co-pays, no deductibles and complete drug, dental & mental coverage) to everyone at no more cost per person than we are now paying.
Other countries with single payer systems get better health care as measured by all the basic public health statistics and they do it at less than half the cost per person. If we build on our rotten system, we will get a health care system with rotten foundations.
Posted by: lensch | July 15, 2009 2:43 PM
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Nice job summing up both sides objectively.
I sway towards doing things more socialistically when it comes to providing a basic necessity. I think to whom much is given, much should be expected.