Indira Dammu
Indiana Daily Student
11/14/2007
Repeat a lie often enough and people will believe it, or so the saying goes. No group is more guilty of this charge than conservatives.
Whether declaring global warming a “hoax” or bemoaning the social security “crisis,” conservatives have the art of lying down to a science. This is especially evident in matters related to health care reform, which conservatives reserve a special disdain for. A mere mention of Michael Moore has them frothing at the mouth.
So I was naturally excited to hear that the SiCKO-Cure National Road Show would be stopping in Bloomington today. The Road Show aims to lobby members of congress to support House Resolution 676, a bill that calls for the creation of a single-payer health care plan. On this occasion, I decided to bust some common myths offered in defense of our broken system.
Myth: The United States has the best health care system in the world.
Wrong. In spite of spending more per capita on health care than other countries, the U.S. ranks only 37th in the overall quality of health care. We also boast the second-worst newborn mortality rate in the developed world.
Myth: People without health insurance are lazy good-for-nothings.
Again, wrong. In 2004, about half of uninsured Americans worked full time. Even more surprising, 28 percent of middle and upper-middle class individuals are uninsured.
Myth: We can’t trust the government with such an important issue like health care.
It is my contention that apart from hating kids, another reason why Republicans strongly opposed the SCHIP bill is that it demonstrates to the public how efficient the government can be. Historically, programs like Medicaid, Social Security and public broadcasting have been extremely successful and calls for reform have been met with derision. Remember the public furor when President Bush tried to privatize social security in 2005? As long as government agencies are adequately staffed and funded (unlike the DMV), we can trust a government-run health care system to run smoothly.
Myth: There is no such thing as a free lunch.
Actually, this is right. Contrary to Republican claims, however, no Democratic presidential candidate has advocated a “free” universal health care system. Sen. John Edward’s health care plan, the most promising within the field, calls for a small tax increase and repeal of Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthy. Sixty percent of Americans support such a tax increase if it means universal access to health care.
It is evident by now that the numbers are on my side. Yet, Republicans are able to distort facts and resort to cheap shots. Case in point — Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, in a display of sheer stupidity, coined a nifty acronym for the SCHIP plan — “Socialized Clinton-style Hillarycare for Illegals and their Parents.” While it is easy to get discouraged by such a classic case of Republican wingnuttery, now isn’t the time to give up. Call your congressmen and ask him or her to support H.R. 676. Educate those around you about a universal health care plan. Republicans have monopolized the discussion for too long.