Health care isn’t a phone
Congressman Raul Labrador has a fundamentally flawed understanding of “Obamacare.” He stated: “The fundamental grievance that I have with this law … is that no government should ever … compel its citizens to purchase a product or a service … What [now prevents them] … from taxing us to compel the purchase of … a cellphone or any other product …?”
Until Mr. Labrador understands the difference between buying a cellphone and purchasing health insurance, there will be no end to his silly rhetoric: If Mr. Labrador enters my store to purchase a cellphone, I have no ethical or legal obligation to give him the phone until he pays me. But if Mr. Labrador comes to the emergency room with an injury or serious illness, I DO have an ethical and legal obligation to treat him without regard to his ability to pay. If he can’t pay for the treatment, then the taxpayers or insured patients pay for his care, indirectly.
It’s completely reasonable for people who can afford health insurance, but refuse to buy it, to pay a penalty/tax to help offset the burden that our society bears to cover the cost of medical care for the uninsured.
Justin StormoGipson
Coeur d’Alene