Who do YOU want in charge of your healthcare?

As you may or may not know, the current administration is doing a full court press to pass the government run health care bill before the August break. I am hopeful that the outcry from Americans will be enough to stop ObamaCare from happening, but the state of Minnesota has its own battle to fight on the health care front.



There was a push in the Minnesota House last session to have our own version of Obama Care. In one of the Health committee meetings I attended, Minnesota Single Payer/Universal Health Care was discussed. I was surprised to hear that the only argument for government run health care was simply that "people have a right to health care".



I listened with interest to the gentleman proposing this single payer idea and how he spoke of the "15 member board" that would rule on who could have what procedure or care. Does anything seem more socially unjust than 15 government appointed "bureaucrats" who have the authority to decide on the healthcare needs of Minnesota's 5 million citizens, saying yeah or nay to such things as a knee replacement, or chemotherapy, or breast reconstruction after mastectomy? And as if that weren't enough, this newly packaged version of "Hillary Care" that some Democrats are pushing for, will also grant us such gifts as:



l. loss of the freedom to choose your own health care plan.

2. loss of personal choice about what care to receive, whether or not to receive it, and when to receive it.

3. further tax increases on Minnesota businesses to pay for this plan, which is sure to run even more businesses to neighboring states.



One very concerning proposal in the 2008 session was in the language reading that "residents" would be covered. It takes a mere 30 days for a person to become a resident of Minnesota. In no time at all, Minnesota would soon become the Health Care Mecca of the United States, which would most certainly mean a further plunge into negative numbers for Minnesota's already fragile budget situation.



There are some great proposals on the table by Republicans to start fixing the health care crisis, should the majority give them the opportunity to speak.



The first thing to do is to start reducing unnecessary mandates that drive up the premiums, such as mandatory pregnancy coverage, drug treatment, mental health services, chiropractic, social workers and massage therapists. In all,the state of Minnesota has 64 health care mandates. A 21 year old singe male who doesn't need pregnancy coverage is forced to pay for it because of these mandates. We need a cafeteria style system that encourages competition.



We need greater transparency in healthcare costs and quality of medical services so we know what we are paying for and can make the best possible choices.



We need market-driven, common sense solutions that put patients back in control of healthcare decisions. INDIVIDUALS should have the ability to choose their doctor, not INSURANCE companies.



Education would also go a very long way in putting a limit on our country's rising healthcare costs. So many of America's most prevalent diseases are caused simply by a poor diet and lack of activity. Citizens need to be educated and encouraged to take charge of their own health, which would easily cut millions from our country's healthcare costs.



One of my top goals as District 56A's State Representative would be to work tirelessly to maintain individual freedom regarding health care. Government takeover is not the answer to America's rising healthcare costs. If such a legislation does pass, in Minnesota or America, we will be forfeiting the best healthcare in the world and replacing it with healthcare tragedies of unimaginable proportions.