What's Next?

by Dr. Jack Sternberg, Contributing Author: This week, I had really planned to give my opinion about the newly passed House Bill, the American Health Care Act (Trumpcare). Unfortunately, I have been unable to find enough FACTUAL information about what’s in the bill to even begin to form an opinion. There’s plenty of information being presented as fact but I’m very uncomfortable that I really know the truth. In addition, the Senate will probably drastically change or counter what the House has proposed and change the bill significantly. Finally, the Senate might even be unwilling to pass it when it finally comes up for a vote. So, I’ve decided to just not give my opinion thereby avoiding making a fool of myself by misinforming all of you.

Instead, I will once again tell you about an analogy I have used when describing my uneasiness with the Medicaid Expansion as it exists today in Arkansas (Private Option/Arkansas Works). Not that I don’t want those in need to have healthcare. My uneasiness and unhappiness is how luxurious it is for those enrolled. I sadly will then show that my fictional analogy was prophetic.

I have been giving people a theoretical example of another possibility of potential “wealth redistribution” to discover their opinion. To start, we know many believe health care is a “right” for all and maybe it is. The government is already giving out free mobile telephones with generous minutes per month as if it was a right and a necessity. But, what if the government decided that having an automobile was also a “right.” What would that look like if the program was equal to what patients receive in the Arkansas’ Private Option?

Under the “We All Need And Have A Right To An Automobile Act,” all indigent people would be given a brand new automobile equal to the best that those who purchase autos have – maybe Lexus would cut us a deal (it would be unfair for them to have anything less – that would be discrimination). The autos would be free as would be all their yearly gasoline, their yearly insurance, the yearly taxes on the vehicle and all needed repairs. They would receive totally for free what you and I pay for so dearly. How would you all feel about that potential "right."

I use that example because in case you were unaware, those on Arkansas Works have the same private insurance as those who pay for it but theirs is free (no monthly premiums) with no payment for each doctor visit, no co-pay or co-insurance and all medications that are needed are free. The equivalent of the free automobile scenario.

I thought it was a good analogy because it was so ridiculous even though the concept was comparative. No one would ever think a totally free automobile was a “right.” But in our crazy world, was I ever wrong.

From the Daily Wire: Sacramento Gives Free Cars to Public Housing Residents
In today's episode of "Why The Hell Do I Bother To Work For a Living," we learn that the city of Sacramento, California, has decided to purchase a fleet of cars that will be made available, free of charge, to 300 residents already using that city's public assisted housing.

The $1.3 million used to pay for what the Sacramento Bee calls a "mini fleet," came from the state's California Environmental Protection Agency.

Gas, maintenance and insurance will also be paid for by the state, which can only mean that the $1.3 million is just the beginning of yet-another very expensive government debacle, but one that will never be repealed because if you take away people's free cars they will die.

Naturally, the cars are electric cars and come from a private company called Zipcars, a company that appears to be all about making a bundle off your tax dollars by selling to touchy-feely governments the touchy-feely idea that sharing cars is a good idea.

And since we are talking about California, I think we can all agree, then, that if it is a good idea to use your tax dollars to purchase sharing cars, using your tax dollars to purchase electric cars is an even better idea; which means nothing can top the inspired idea using your tax dollars to buy electric cars for public housing residents, am I right?

Can you feel the Utopia?

The State is now telling its citizens that a car is a Right, not a luxury you must work for; that if you want a car, there is no need to aspire. All you need do is hold your nose and take the plunge into the State's Socialist Utopia Net where there is only one thing expected of you: keep voting against those evil Republicans who want to take away your Constitutional right to an electric car.Who knew I was such a prophet? I thought I was making a ludicrous analogy to highlight the unfairness of the Medicaid Expansion to those who pay dearly for their health insurance.

What’s next for the poor? Free airline tickets in First Class to see their relatives? Oops! I better shut up or we will soon see California doing just that.
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Jack Sternberg, MD, is a retired medical doctor and former Chairman of the Garland County TEA Party Patriots in Arkansas, and a contributor to the ARRA News Service.

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