National Health Care, De-Satirized

Having been accused of "fear-mongering" with yesterday's satire (CLEARLY satire; CLEARLY fiction; CLEARLY for entertainment), I'm going to avoid the flamewar stupidity that took up most of my day and most of my energy and present you with THE FACTS, as they are today (KeithHennessey.com) with the Democrats in Congress.

And they ain't good:

The Kennedy-Dodd health care bill, and the Tri-Committee Health Reform Draft Proposal in the House, together would have severe effects on the more than 100 million Americans who have private health insurance today:

• The government would mandate not only that you must buy health insurance, but what health insurance counts as “qualifying.”
• Health insurance premiums would rise as a result of the law, meaning lower wages.
• A government-appointed board would determine what items and services are “essential benefits” that your qualifying plan must cover.
• You would find a tremendous new disincentive to switch jobs, because your new health insurance may be subject to the new rules and would therefore be significantly more expensive.
• Those who keep themselves healthy would be subsidizing premiums for those with risky or unhealthy behaviors.
• Far more than half of all Americans would be eligible for subsidies, but we have not yet been told who would pay the bill.
• The Secretaries of Treasury and HHS would have unlimited discretion to impose new taxes on individuals and employers who do not comply with the new mandates. (The House bill outline is not specific on this point.)
• The Secretary of HHS could mandate that you provide him or her with “any such other information as [he/she] may prescribe.” (The House bill outline is not specific on this point.)