HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENTS
January 4, 2002 - WAR REPORT NUMBER 1-2002
Would you believe that the state legislature of Maine voted to establish a commission to develop a single-payer health care system? My sources tell me that the Commission will look North and mirror the Canadian system. Many question abound, but mine is simple: How can Maine balance unlimited demand with limited resources? If the commission can solve this equation, I wish my friends in Maine will tell me how.

Canada and England have been trying to solve this problem for years, but to no avail. In the United States, a monolithic health care system run by the government scares most people. Frankly, that's one of the many reasons why the Clinton Health Care Plan was defeated in 1994. One has to understand that when the private sector discovers that one of their programs (regardless of size) won't work, they shut it down to cut their losses. On the other hand, when this happens to the government, they won't admit that they made a mistake and their solution is to add more money (your taxes) to the program. In health care, they conclude that they can solve the problem by cutting services or increasing taxes, but when both hit the critical mass, they begin that slippery downhill slope by rationing health care. They do this by creating long waiting lines. England is in the lead, but Canada is catching up. The United States has been the safety valve for Canada. If we adopt the single payer system like Canada, who is our safety valve? Mexico?

Another point that the Maine commission must understand is that the United States enjoys one of the best health care systems in the world. Consequently, many Canadians continue to cross the border. Even the wealthiest from around the world come to the United States for health care treatment. I see no movement in the direction of Canada or England for such treatment.

Lastly, many professionals from Canada, including doctors, nurses, and other medical technicians are increasingly leaving Canada for jobs in the United States. The immigration continues and no end is in sight.

Stay tuned! Why? Because I tell it like it is and it's your money. God Bless America.