by Chris Wainscott
In the weeks since the Democrats rammed their health care “reform” down our throats I have given much thought to what it all means.
I have heard some say that finally the less fortunate among us will have access to services that they previously did not, and I have heard others say that this will bankrupt the country as the costs are not sustainable.
But most of the thoughts I have given to this legislation are to attempt to divine what it truly means to the way that medicine will be practiced in this country.
I keep coming back to the realization that the government is patently incapable of conducting any large scale operation efficiently, while I simultaneously realize that in order to be effective medicine requires an ultra high level of efficiency.
I am a first time home buyer. Last year I closed on my first home. I filed my taxes this year in anticipation of the tax credit I would receive. While I am personally against the credit and believe that it would not be necessary if the government wasn’t already overtaxing me to begin with, I also understand that with the $8,000 I could pay off my car and a couple of other things and then my cash flow would more easily absorb the mortgage and utility bills, which are significantly higher than my rent ever was.
Several weeks after filing my taxes I went to the Where’s My Refund tool on the IRS website. It stated that I could expect to receive my refund on or before March 13, 2010. On March 15 after not having received my refund I called the IRS. They told me that something was wrong, but that they did not show what it was. They told me to call back in a couple of weeks as they should know by then.
A couple of weeks later I called and they said that there was a new form which I was supposed to file which I had failed to do. They told me that they had sent me a letter in the mail. A few days later I received the letter. It advised me which form to file and that I had only 20 days to do so and that any duplicate submissions of the form or my return would make the whole process null and void. So I mailed in the form. Almost a month later (and well past the 20 day deadline I might add) the IRS still can’t even tell me if they have received the form, much less if anything is being processed.
While a large number of people are taking advantage of the tax credit for being a first time homebuyer, it’s not nearly as large a number of people as who will be covered by ObamaCare. Imagine what our health care will be like once it’s subjected to the same treatment as my taxes.
Currently I can call my doctor today. They will see me within a day or two. They will treat me immediately. Any further tests which are needed they will schedule for a short timeframe. They do this because they know that if they are not highly efficient that not only are they potentially putting my health and well being at risk by failing to provide timely care, but that they also risk losing a customer. There is a *gasp* profit motive for them to get me in and get me healthy again.
My insurance company falls in lockstep with this idea because if they don’t then my employer may very well choose another health plan next year. One that provides timely treatment for myself and my coworkers.
Once the government is in charge the process will likely resemble my taxes. I’ll call the doctor on the first. They’ll be able to get back to me in three to four weeks. Within four to six additional weeks they should be able to schedule an appointment for me, at which time they are likely to inform me that I need to file additional paperwork. Not to worry, they’ll send me everything in the mail in just a week or two.
By the time they finally have everything they need I’ll either be recovered or dead. But one thing’s for sure, with the profit motive removed from much of the system, no one will have a real stake in keeping me alive.