(Note to media watchers: When CNN reported this hearing, it conveniently ignored an inconvenient truth: the names of the errant insurers. Thanks to Karen Tumulty of TIME, we now know who they are: Wittney Horton and Robin Beaton were insured by Blue Cross. Peggy Raddatz's brother, Otto, was insured by Fortis Insurance Company. Also, this riveting hearing got no airtime on the TV networks, nor did it appear in The New York Times or The Washington Post.)
At the risk of inviting my own "recission," I invite you to examine my own health insurance history. I have several chronic ailments. But, over the last 15 years, Medicare - yes, that awful "socialized medicine" plan - has never denied me the treatment I needed. Ditto my Medigap insurance, purchased through AARP.
Bureaucrats abound in both the public and private sectors, and Lord knows, Medicare has more than its share of warts (is that a pre-existing condition?).
But, given my druthers, I'll choose what's now being called the public option.
It's worth remembering that, through our votes and our letters and phone calls to our representatives in Congress, we have at least a fair shot at managing the public bureaucrats. The private sector is accountable only to the bottom line and the great invisible hand of the market.
Maybe you'd like to let the market perform your next surgery?
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