Saturday, September 12, 2009

Health Care's Freedom Factor

Expanding the government's role in providing or paying for health care for the general public inevitably will lead to greater governmental intrusions into everyone's life because, as the saying correctly states: He who pays the piper calls the tune.

Nowhere is the truth of that saying better demonstrated that the enactment and enforcement of nanny state laws such as those requiring people traveling by automobile to wear seat belts and those on motorcycles to wear helmets. Those subject to these laws have lost the freedom to decide whether to take well advised steps to protect their physical well being. The laws are justified because individuals suffering injuries that could be avoided by wearing seat belts and helmets often are cared for at public expense -- therefore the public has a financial interest that justifies limiting the liberty of those who might choose to take the risk of suffering such injuries.

Similarly, if the government becomes responsible for providing or paying for our health care, it will determine that its interest in limiting that burden justifies increasing encroachments on, and control over every aspect of the lives of individual citizens that might adversely impact any individual's health.

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