If you're confused about health care reform, we don't blame you. With all that's being said on the news and on the internet, it's hard to decipher the real message, the real truth about what reform means to us as a country and as individuals. As we've noted in earlier posts, there are many myths circulating with the intention of dissuading Americans from believing that a change in our current health care system would be a positive one. Whatever the motivation, let's focus on what is happening now.
There has been a lot of talk the past few weeks about the false possibility of health care rationing in the current storm of discussions surrounding President Obama's health care reform plan, as well as options put forth by Congressional Democrats such as Senator Max Baucus.
While rationing may be a popular topic - particularly among the conservative and right leaning blogosphere, it is, at its core, a health care myth. Unlike the health care debate in 1994, where Harry and Louise were lamenting government rationing on behalf of the insurance companies, rationing has no place in current health care reform bills.
According to the American Medical Association, "The health reform plans being debated in Congress ensure that health care decisions will be made by you and your doctor - no one else."