Sorting through the health care hyperbole

Joe Beltran, North Las Vegas

Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

Every day we are inundated with newspaper, TV and radio ads for or against health care reform, which includes a single-payer option. With the support of the powerful HMO lobby, the Republican National Committee and conservative media outlets have been constantly spewing horror stories, exaggerations, gross and cruel distortions — including talk of euthanasia — without contributing anything constructive. The main talking points of the “Party of No” are “it’s too expansive” and “it’s too expensive.”

The costs of our country’s health care system now are the highest in the world. Costs exceed $2 trillion annually and have been going up 6 percent a year. The result of doing nothing would raise the cost to $3 trillion and will double to more than $4 trillion in 12 years.

The government is paying for health care through emergency rooms, Medicare, Medicaid, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan and Veterans Affairs. With single-payer universal health care, we will be able to save money and reduce deficits.

Do we trust these insurance companies more than a patient’s personal physician? The only concern of these HMOs is the “bottom line” and with the RNC, it is larger campaign contributions from these HMOs.

Fixing this country’s health care system will be a long road. Come join us in this difficult journey or stay out of the way.