OPINION:
America was founded on principles of limited government and individual freedom, where rights come from God, not government.
Then came the left’s message — first from Hillary-care back in the 1990s, then from Obamacare, which eventually passed — that health care is a right, a basic human right, and slash went the Constitution.
Now comes Medicare for All, as Sen. Bernie Sanders is pushing, and once again, just like its precursors, it’s about as un-American as policy can come. But doesn’t it sound great?
“The Medicare for All Act will provide comprehensive health care to every man, woman and child in our country without out of pocket expenses,” Sanders’ campaign team wrote in a summary of their socialist-minded vision. “No more insurance premiums, deductibles or co-payments. Further, this bill improves Medicare coverage to include dental, hearing and vision care.”
What a wonderful dream — no effort needed.
Sanders bases his Medicare for All on the belief health care is a right, same as say, breathing and eating. Of course, he refrains from referring to the big elephant in the room — the price tag.
Sanders sells health care as a right by skewing the message and omitting the fact he means tax-funded health care. He says health care but means paid health coverage. And how is that a right?
“Health care is a human right, not a privilege,” Sanders said during a press conference on his bill. “Together we are going to end the international embarrassment of the United States of America — our great country being the only major nation on earth not to guarantee health care to all as a right. That is going to end.”
What a terrible notion. And what a terrible deception. Health care, in a democratic-republic like America, is never an individual right. Not how Sanders means it, anyway. Sanders, when he calls for government health care for all, is really calling for taxpayer-funded health care for all.
Taxpayers are not responsible for the health care needs of their fellow citizens. If they were, then they’d be responsible for other rights, like food and shelter and education. Are taxpayers to pay for everything?
That’s un-American.
Founders would roll.
The only right an American has to health care is the opportunity to pursue medical coverage, the opportunity to provide for the needs of self and family — under the umbrella of this country’s guarantee of rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. But that right doesn’t extend to forcing others to provide.
Demanding taxpayers cough up what’s estimated to be more than $32 trillion for Medicare for All is not in line with the limited government aspects of the Constitution, or in line with American values.
No matter how many times Sanders says it — free health coverage is not a right. That’s a point freedom-loving Americans cannot afford to cede.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley.
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