There is no such thing as “free health care.” Europe does NOT have free health care – they have government/employer/employee subsidised health care. The government contributes via taxes on the people. The employer contributes through mandatory contributions. The employee contributes two ways: by paying those taxes exacted upon them by the government and with lower wages, compensating for the amount the employer is mandated to pay.
Under Obama’s campaign version of his health care plan, those without insurance could sign up for the government sponsored program. Those who aleady have group insurance benefits through their employer could opt out of the government plan.
Fine. Great. Except that those who have a group plan provided through their employer are, indeed, paying for health care with reduced wages to compensate for the cost of said health care paid for by the employer. This means they would end up paying DOUBLE for health care: 1. increased taxes to pay for the government plan; 2. reduced wages to pay for the employer provided group plan.
All cost issues aside, we need to remember who would be running this whole shindig: the U.S. Government. If you like the efficiency of the work of government employees, then I guess “free” health care is just the ticket. Just remember: government efficiency is an oxymoron. Free health care is also an oxymoron.
