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

Guest Editorial: Health Care Reform

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  • Editorials

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:20:08 GMT
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;

  • Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:20:07 GMT
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 
    •   

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