Our Favorite Four Letter "F" Word

 

 

"Oh, there ain't no lunch like a free lunch..."

 

Relax. I will continue to keep my postings "G" rated. Our new favorite four letter "F" word is "free". Who does not like getting something for free? The only problem with free, is it usually is not. There is always a cost for a good or service. For example, this time of year we can order our Christmas and holiday gifts online. Quite often you will hear "Order now and receive free shipping!" The problem is the shipping is not free. You may not be directly paying for it, but the costs are there. Either the costs are absorbed by the company delivering it to you, or you are paying hidden or imputed costs which will cover the shipping.

 

The term "free" has been used quite a bit in the past five years as it relates to our new health care law. Some people who have not been paying attention as fully as they should have been, have been duped into believing many will receive free health care services. You know, rather than those evil insurance companies getting rich and smoking cigars, we all will now be covered for pre-existing conditions, major medical, birth control, and so on, and for many, it will all be "free" of charge. It is as it there is a money tree in the back yard or some guy made up of dollar bills riding a motorcycle .

 

Here is the truth about "free" as it relates to the new health care law. It ain't. Not even close. In fact, the two measures the Republicans tried to get into the bill to reduce the cost of health care (tort reform and buying insurance over state lines), were nixed by Ms. Nancy. All the cost drivers in our health care system remain. We have just turned the system upside down.

 

In the past, if you were a good driver, over time you would qualify for lower rates. By the same token, with health insurance, if you were young and lived a healthy lifestyle, you could qualify for lower rates. With the new health care law, the younger and healthy you are, the more you will pay. Why? To support those who think their coverage is either very cheap or free. There are hidden or imputed taxes all over the new health care act to pay for this behemoth. However, at the end of the day, all that will not be enough. We will end up paying for this health care bill the same way we are paying for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid - on the backs of our children, grandchildren and beyond.

 

I have not studied this new law as closely as I should. However, I do know this much. This law is held together by spit and gum. It has more gears and switches in it than a Swiss watch. It is a house of cards with one card missing. In order for this thing to work, there has to be "perfect storm" of circumstances. If this train starts coming off the track, our health care, our health insurance business in this country could be damaged beyond repair. All of us, even the ones thinking they are getting "free" services, will suffer and suffer bad.

 

The next time you talk to someone who think they are getting a good deal from this law, ask who is going to cover the rest of the costs. Chances are they won't know and they won't care. All they know is they just got free shipping on the item they ordered online.