John C. Goodman is president and CEO of the National Center for Policy Analysis. The Wall Street Journal and the National Journal, among other publications, have called him the “Father of Health Savings Accounts,” and the Media Research Center credits him, along with former Sen. Phil Gramm and columnist Bill Kristol with playing the pivotal role in the defeat of the Clinton Administration’s plan to overhaul the U.S. health care system. He is also the Kellye Wright Fellow in health care.
Dr. John Goodman joined us via taped interview for a segment on health care for the McCuistion 20th Anniversary Program series. Considered one of the key “conservative” experts on health care, he presented his conservative views on health care reform. He had this to say in answer to my [Niki McCuistion] questions on the state of health care today and health cares’ new future, given the changes in the new administration plans. According to Dr. John Goodman, “Health care today is dysfunctional and has perverse incentives… Today, costs are higher, quality is lower and access is more difficult.”
While discussing his conservative views on health care reform, Dr. John Goodman talked about the billions of dollars being spent on health care for the elderly and the young. “It’s too easy now for people to wait to get health insurance till after they are sick and access to health care gets worse. There’s nothing that inspires me to have confidence in what is presently being proposed.”
Yet considering, he still believes there are good things going on relevant to health care; “from 12-13 million people managing their own health costs; to urgent care and walk in clinics and overall a free market for health care”. Dr. Goodman cited the way we can cross the border and get good health care at a fraction of what we pay in the US. And he voiced a concern over boomers and their numbers overwhelming the health care system, “We’re just not ready for them. They think all of these promises were made and there’s not going to be enough money to fulfill them.”
I asked what would you have taxpayers do? His answer,” Liberate the doctor and patient. Let the patient control the money and let doctors compete on price and quality.” For a sobering look at health care today and Dr. Goodman’s conservative views on health care reform, watch and listen to what Dr. John Goodman has to say.
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Niki Nicastro McCuistion
Executive Producer/Producer
McCuistion
Below we have posted (with permission) John Goodman’s analysis on ObamaCare health care reform.
There have been 8 versions of ObamaCare. The numbers below are estimates made for one or more of them. We believe they are still in the ballpark, and we will update as more information becomes available.
“If you like the plan you are in you can keep it.”
19 million Number of people predicted to lose their employer plan (Lewin Group) 8 to 9 million Number of people predicted to lose their employer plan (CBO) $11,543 Employer incentive to drop coverage for a $30,000 a year worker with family [Tax subsidy in the exchange minus tax subsidy at work minus $2,000 fine] (IRET) 8.5 million Number of seniors and disabled people at risk of losing their Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare Chief Actuary) 3 million Additional people who will likely lose Medicare Advantage plan benefits (Medicare Chief Actuary) $816 Average annual benefit loss for 11 million seniors and disabled in Medicare Advantage plans (CBO) 33 million Number of people in traditional Medicare at risk of losing access to care because of $523 billion in cuts in Medicare spending (Medicare Chief Actuary) 20% Fraction of hospitals that would become unprofitable after Medicare spending cuts (Medicare Chief Actuary) “There will be no tax increases for anyone who earns less than $200,000.”
73 million Number of people who earn less than $200,000 who will see their tax bill rise (Joint Committee on Taxation) 40% Tax rate on “Cadillac” plans (Reconciliation Summary) 2.3% Hidden tax on wheelchairs and other medical supplies (CBO update) $27 billion Hidden “medicine cabinet” tax on drugs (Reconciliation Summary) 10% Tax on tanning salons (Reconciliation Summary) $60 billion Hidden health insurance tax (Reconciliation Summary) “Health insurance reform is…about creating a climate where our entrepreneurs and small businesses can succeed [and] about giving you the chance to prosper and grow.”
$100 million Cost of ObamaCare mandates for Caterpillar, Inc. in the first year alone (Caterpillar, Inc.) 60% Implicit marginal tax rate for workers earning as little as $25,000 (IRET) 65% Implicit marginal tax rate for families earning as little as $50,000 (IRET) 0.9% New payroll tax on the wages of entrepreneurs and small business owners (Reconciliation Summary) 3.8% New tax on the capital income of entrepreneurs and small business owners (Reconciliation Summary) “The average family will save $2,500 in health care costs by the time I complete my first term as President of the United States.”
111% Premium increase for individual insurance (AHIP) 54% Premium increase for individual insurance (BlueCross BlueShield) 106% Premium increase for individual insurance (Wellpoint) $2,100 Premium increase for the average family (CBO) “Over the past year the House and the Senate have been working on an effort to provide health insurance reform that lowers costs …”
$220 billion Rise in national health care spending over the next 10 years(Medicare Chief Actuary) “… that guarantees access to care …”
15 million Number of new people added to Medicaid, where care is increasingly rationed and where provider choice is increasingly restricted. (CBO) 0 Number of new doctors and nurses trained and number of new hospitals built to meet the needs of 32 million newly-insured (CBO) ” … and enhances the quality of health care for all Americans.”
24 million Number of people who will enter a health insurance exchange where health plans will have an incentive to underprovide to the sick. (CBO/NCPA)
19 million Number of people predicted to lose their employer plan (Lewin Group) 8 to 9 million Number of people predicted to lose their employer plan (CBO) $11,543 Employer incentive to drop coverage for a $30,000 a year worker with family [Tax subsidy in the exchange minus tax subsidy at work minus $2,000 fine] (IRET) 8.5 million Number of seniors and disabled people at risk of losing their Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare Chief Actuary) 3 million Additional people who will likely lose Medicare Advantage plan benefits (Medicare Chief Actuary) $816 Average annual benefit loss for 11 million seniors and disabled in Medicare Advantage plans (CBO) 33 million Number of people in traditional Medicare at risk of losing access to care because of $523 billion in cuts in Medicare spending (Medicare Chief Actuary) 20% Fraction of hospitals that would become unprofitable after Medicare spending cuts (Medicare Chief Actuary) “This is not about big government …”
16,500 Additional IRS auditors needed to enforce the legislation (Ways and Means Minority Report) “This legislation will protect families …”
$6,000 to $10,000 Marriage penalty if two $32,000-a-year workers say “I do.” (Ways and Means Minority Report) “We are going to get rid of the special deals …”
$7,300 Extra exemption from the Cadillac premium tax for members of labor unions. (Ways and Means Minority Report) “This bill will reduce the federal deficit …”
$562 billion Increase in the deficit after removing budget gimmicks and unrealistic tax increases and budget cuts relegated to future Congresses (CBO former director)
Last night, March 21, 2010, the congressional vote announced a change in America that has been compared to the institution of social security and medicaid. This highly controversial issue has sent rivets throughout the country as the American people either cringe or celebrate. Today in our news update, we have posted 4 links to provide information on what the health care reform vote means to us and some of the implications for today and in the future.
Democrats hail landmark US healthcare bill
Democrats have hailed the approval of legislation extending healthcare to an additional 32 million Americans as a historic advance in social justice.
The speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi said it was comparable to the establishment of Medicare and Social Security.
The bill was passed in the House on Sunday evening by just seven votes.
Sebelius: Americans Will Embrace Health Reform
Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius says that, despite a new CBS News poll showing widespread skepticism and confusion, Americans will be “enthusiastic” about the health reform bill passed by the House of Representatives once they understand it.
“I think what’s been going on for the better part of a year is a lot of attempts to confuse and scare Americans,” Sebelius told “Early Show” co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez.
Sebelius said she was “absolutely convinced” that “once people understand what’s in the bill and the fact that a lot of what they’ve been hearing has never been contemplated, has never been in the bill, that they’ll be very enthusiastic about what congress did last night.”
Health care bills change game for states
The package of health care legislation passed by the U.S. House Sunday night (March 21) would bring major changes to patients and the medical system that treats them, but it also could shake up state government in ways felt in the courtroom, on the campaign trail and in regulatory offices.
Three Republican state attorneys general — from Florida, South Carolina and Virginia — are chomping at the bit to challenge the planned changes in court. In Virginia, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli vowed to file suit “as soon as the ink is dry” from President Obama’s signature on the bills, the Washington Post reports.Cuccinelli’s legal reasoning for attacking the scheme hinges on a mandate that would require individuals to buy health insurance. He says the requirement goes beyond Congress’ authority to regulate interstate commerce, the rationale for federal action.
Will Obama now blame GOP for faults in his health care plan?
After Democrats finish dancing in the streets to celebrate narrow passage of new health care laws Sunday night, they’re likely to switch to another favorite pastime: shifting blame.
Why? Because there are two bills, with one being enacted into law but the other still hung up in the process, very possibly indefinitely.
That will likely lead to a classic game of political spin and propaganda. President Obama’s has admitted that the first bill—which passed and he is signing into law—is deeply flawed. But the second bill—the supposed clean-up-and-fix-the-first bill—may never become law.
