Guest Editorial: Health Care Reform - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Guest Editorial: Health Care Reform

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Consumers do better when there is choice and competition.

Blue Cross/Blue Shield controls 90% of all insurance policies in Alabama. Its actions are guided by the profit motive.

President Obama's "not-for-profit" option will save consumers money. Eliminating unnecessary overhead will put pressure on private insurers to keep their policies affordable, and treat customers better.

No one is forced to choose the public option. You can keep existing insurance. This option will be funded solely by the premiums collected. Obama says it is not to be taxpayer-subsidized.

The public option will not finance abortions, provide medical treatment for illegal aliens, establish death panels, or add to the federal deficit.

This is not socialism. Most healthcare reform costs come from money already spent, but spent badly, on existing health care. Pre-existing illnesses, cancers and catastrophic illnesses will now be better covered.

Patriotic, compassionate Americans should delight that affordable health care will now be available to all citizens, including "the least of these, our brethren."

Julian McPhillips