I guess I just don’t understand how anyone can think that health care is an economic good, to be traded and competed for in the open market. I’m sure there are people out there who don’t believe in social goods at all–that there should be no government-provided services, that citizens should have to pay to use schools, roads, etc. But it boggles my mind that anyone who believes in public education could possibly think that basic health care is less important for the masses.
The only reason to oppose it is money. And I get it, some people have built their fortunes and lifestyles in the medical or insurance industries. It’s not fair that they should have to adjust to a lower standard of living or find another line of work. But it’s also not fair that I, a very fiscally-responsible public school teacher, regularly skip well-patient, preventive care appointments so I can use the co-pay to buy dog food instead. Don’t get me started on specialist visits. Yesterday, I paid sixty bucks to chat with a PA about my sleep problems.