By Kester Freeman
Retired CEO, Palmetto Health
It really baffles my mind when I hear people saying they do not support mandated health coverage. I think many of these people are misinformed about the concept.
In this country we do not turn away the sick or injured from emergency rooms. If you don’t have health insurance and you show up with a broken leg or H1N1, you will be treated just like those next to you who DO have health insurance. Ultimately those with coverage foot the bill for those who lack coverage.
If you say you do not support mandated coverage, essentially you are saying you condone giving everyone who does not have health insurance a “free ride.” You are fine with picking up the costs that trickle down to those of us who do pay for insurance.
A friend of mine told me a story about a 23-year-old he knows who said he couldn’t afford health insurance but found all the money he needed for a brand new bass boat and for all the accoutrements for partying with his friends on the boat on a regular basis! So when that young man has the misfortune of having an accident with his brand new bass boat and needs emergency care and even long-term rehab for any extensive injuries, you are fine with again footing that medical bill for him. Remember, you don’t agree with mandated health coverage. Right?
Mandated health insurance should be viewed like car insurance. Sure, you may not love getting the bill, but by law if we are going to drive a car we have to have car insurance – even if it is the least expensive, no-frills policy we can find. It should be the same case with health insurance. Why should we knowingly allow some people to just not pay? It is not fair to those who do and it places an enormous burden on hospitals, doctors, emergency rooms and the entire healthcare system.
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