Quote:Healthcare is one example of the fundamental purpose of government; to step in on behalf of its citizens and regulate where needed to ensure the system isn't taking advantage of said citizens. Health care in the US clearly wasn't working as a free market, prices were sky high not because of scarcity but because medical providers knew the patients had no real choice. And what's happened now is the government has finally realized the free market isn't free at all and they have stepped in to regulate.

 

And I view the role of the government the same way with other fields as well; is the free market economy operating as intended? If yes, leave it alone. If no, step in and regulate. 

 

1.) Where do you get healthcare as a fundamental purpose of government from?

 

2.) Health care in the US wasn't working under free market conditions before the ACA at all!

- It was government regulation that prevented individuals from purchasing better and more cost effective plans across state borders.

- It was government regulation that required plans offered by insurance companies to offer services that bloated the cost of premiums.

- It was government regulation that drives up the cost of prescriptions and pharmaceuticals though testing and taxiation

 

in almost every way possible government interference caused the mess we where in. Insurance companies make money one way, convincing individuals to purchase their "coverage" the more they insure the more they make. It's also in their interest to keep cost of medical services at a minimum, meaning they would work to ensure doctors and hospitals wouldn't over charge for services provided. You removed the incentive for insurance companies to attract large amounts of people when you make it mandatory everyone has to purchase said product. You removed the incentive for insurance companies to drive down cost when they're compensated by government agencies like Medicaid.

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