Health Care Reform

In all things concerning the state I try to think about them theologically.  I basically want to look at things beginning with a human nature that is corrupt and sinful.  So in that regard I believe that this reform in the short term can be a very good thing.

1)  The current system is broken, competition is no longer working in the favor of the people rather insurers are finding more and better ways to rescind and deny coverage to individuals.  Health expenses are way too hi, litigation out of control, there are lots of problems and while there are lots of good fixes many of these options haven't been put forward.

2) Republican options for tort reform and increasing competition across state lines were the better fiscal options due primarily to the fact that it would direct people's greed (and sinfulness) toward better pricing, but the trade off is it does not insentivize better care.  Republicans corrupt and greedy in their own right, did not bring about these ideas when they had a chance to because they were more focused on pocketing the lobbyist money that has them fighting so hard right now.

3) The current system will help end some of the abuses and make health care more affordable for everyone, at the same time it will likely cost people more. To say that we are going to provide more care seems logically connected to the fact that more care= more money.  I do think there will be some administrative, lobbying and marketing salaries that will be cut and will have an immediate impact and lower prices in the short term.

The Bad thing is that every system by scientific law, becomes more disorganized. Every institution by human nature becomes more corrupt more abused.  In this light I'm a huge fan of reform, major drastic reform like this as long as we can do it again in about 15-20 years.  Because in 10 years all of the loopholes and ways to manipulate the current law will be exposed and those in power will be abusing a new set of regulations to their gain, thereby negating the effectiveness and efficiency of this bill. 

I also believe that  the abortion language is loose enough that if later generations want to alter it and fund it they will be able to.  I do appreciate Obama's signing of the executive order, I think Stupak has been brave facing heat and criticism from both sides.  I think he's probably right in saying that the republicans just want to politicize the bill further and that if he is confident in the presidential order than I am ok with his position.

The last thing I want to talk about is why does America want to be like Europe?  Europe seems ahead of us in that it is a post Christian region and a place where the State has taken the place of the church providing social services, and care in the name of equality to everyone.  However, Europe is in deep financial trouble.  Much more so than the US.  Iceland went completely bankrupt last year.  Greece would be if it hadn't become part of the Eu and adopted the Euro. Spain, Portugal Italy Ireland are in the same place.  England is on the verge of plunging back into recession.  Europe is a mess, and the answers we come up with are...let's be more like Europe.  People in the states are worried, and with the passage of this bill we likely should be more worried.  So lets all enjoy the shake up in health care, the immediate savings and the way that entrenched power brokers have to release their tyrannical hold on the American people.  But let's also prepare for another long protracted health care debate in 20 years as new public servants find new ways to get their hands on money that is supposed to be by the people and for the people.

Praise God that sin has been conquered in the resurrection of his Son and that we won't need to worry about this forever.  Amen.