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Obamacare Implodes
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Downsize the Liberals
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Fight Back! Privatize the FAA!
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Fallacies and Charades
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The Right Prescription
Heritage and the Individual Mandate
A political and policy memoir of battles lost — and won.
(Page 2 of 2)
I then hand carried the document to the health policy staff of Sen. Nickles. When Nickles saw the document, he abruptly withdrew the bill. He thought in introducing the Heritage plan he was providing leadership for the conservative movement. My document/petition convinced him that was wrong.
To this day, my relationship with Stuart Butler and Heritage has never recovered. Before then, I wrote regularly for Heritage, contributing numerous Backgrounders, and writing whole chapters of Mandate for Leadership I and II. Since then, I am lucky if anyone from Heritage even talks to me, least of all Stuart Butler.
I received rewards for my work in killing the Heritage health plan from the American Conservative Union and Eagle Forum. I now have the reward now of the whole conservative movement agreeing that I was right all along.
About the Author
Peter Ferrara is Director of Entitlement and Budget Policy at the Heartland Institute, General Counsel of the American Civil Rights Union, Senior Fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis, and Senior Policy Advisor on Entitlements and Budget Policy at the National Tax Limitation Foundation. He served in the White House Office of Policy Development under President Reagan, and as Associate Deputy Attorney General of the United States under President George H.W. Bush.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (21) | Leave a comment
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Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 12.21.11 @ 7:06AM
Thanks for the inside story.
However, it doesn't explain Heritage hanging onto an obvious government takeover concept in the opposition to the facts.
L. Ross| 12.21.11 @ 7:51AM
I wish I had a good suggestion on how to control health care costs. Something (I'm not sure what) needs to change, however. If you look at life expectancy in the U.S. vs. the developed world (and even the partially developed world), we are within a few months of countries spending a tiny fraction of what we do. Health care costs are rising at an absolutley unsustainable rate. These are hard facts. I know that at some point, health care costs will rise to the point that they literally cannot go higher, but is that the only hope for containment? (health care can never exceed GDP for example) I've heard many calls for a return to "fee for service", direct payment to doctors for work performed. Patients will shop around for the best deal. This seems to work in plastic surgery. Maybe we need to pursue the plastic surgery model for everyone.
Any smart people with smart ideas?
George S| 12.21.11 @ 8:06AM
Smart people with smart ideas are what got us into this mess...
JayDick| 12.21.11 @ 9:13AM
The market must be completely open so different things can be tried to see what works. The government's only roles should be to prevent fraud, enforce contracts, and take care of poor people.
DaveD| 12.21.11 @ 1:04PM
Government is so entangled in the medical profession that correcting the problem may very well be impossible. Americans demand a great deal of health care - going to the Doctor for a head cold, for instance - but beyond that, government involvement actually increases our individual health care costs. Let me give you a personal example.
By the current definition, I am classified as suffering from diabetes. By the definition in effect in 2005 I would not be classified as a diabetic. The blood numbers today are better than they were in 2005 yet today I am a diabetic, while in 2005 I was not. How come for why, is the question I ask.
I suspect the following. In order for diabetes research to get ever more and expanding grants form the government, the American Diabetic Association (ADA) must show a "growing" problem that "needs" to be addressed. Thus, they continue to expand the definition of what constitutes a diabetic to increase the size of the population at risk in order to garner more dollars for their organization.
DaveD| 12.21.11 @ 1:15PM
[Hit the wrong button - continuing previous comment]
Consequently, I am now stuck with Doctor visits on 3-4 month interval, which if I do not do I lose insurance. I am being over treated for something that may not even be a problem for major concern. Except that the definition changed.
We see this kind of thinking invading all sorts of scientific areas. For instance, nobody gets a second grant to study climate if the results of the first one do not point to Anthropogenic Global Warming as a severe problem. Why would anyone think that medical science is immune from this kind of pressure?
So the definition of diabetes is a fluid thing, changing as needed in order to keep the issue at crisis point. Or so it would appear. Now I am certain the ADA will deny this, but I am convinced that financing through government grants is an ongoing factor in what constitutes the definition of being sick.
richard ryan| 12.21.11 @ 1:12PM
1. Meaninful tort reform with caps on non-economic damages. This means lawyers can't sue for millions in emotional damage etc. Almost all doctors admit to ordering all sorts of tests that patients do not need. In the ER, where most patients are Medicaid, everyone with a headache gets a CT scan of the head. Everyone with a tummy ache gets a CT scan of the belly. Almost everyone gets blood tests and chemistry tests. It's no cost to the doctor, but it helps cover them in the event of a lawsuit.
2. Expand health savings accounts. Let patients have a skin in the game. Let them shop around for best prices, and refuse a test if it is not necessary.
3. Eliminate most government mandates. Yes, we already have them at the state level. The government tells insurance companies what they must cover. New York has dozens. I shouldn't have to pay for drug rehab coverage if I don't want it. Government says I must.
4. Allow interstate competition between insurers. Competition equals more choice and lower cost.
5. Block grant Medicaid and Medicare to the states. Stop the federal match for medicaid funding. Let conservative states demonstrate how to save money. Others will follow. Pay doctors more to see Medicaid and Medicare patients. It will save money by keeping these people out of the emergency room for headaches.
6. Give those on government insurance some rewards for healthy behavior. Smoking and obesity are very prevalent in the Medicaid population.
Timothy L. Pennell| 12.21.11 @ 8:45AM
So, what you're telling us, is what we already know. For far too long, the Republican Establishment, has been little more than Democrat - Lite. Duuhhh.
That's what we've been saying. These aren't your "Friends" on the other side of the aisle. They're your ENEMY. They are the ENEMY of every American, who loves this Country, and it's Founding Principles. The Enemy of every American who BELIEVES in the Greatness of our Founding Fathers, and the WISDOM they possessed, when setting forth our Founding Documents. Who BELIEVE in a Strong Military. Who BELIEVE in the 1st, the 2nd, and the 10th Amendments. Who BELIEVE in Personal Responsibility, fealty to GOD, Hard Work, and the Golden Rule.
Obama's Democrats? They wanna give you everything for nothing. It's painless and you don't have to do anything. All you need do, is sign away your Soul.
"Just sign here. Good. That takes care of you. Sign here. That covers your Children's Souls. And, one more time, right here. There ya go. That takes care of your Children's Children."
"See? Painless. Just like I told you. Now, if you'll just take these Food Stamps, just enough money to get you through the Month, and No Reason to TRY bettering your life, because you'll really have NO HOPE in doing that, anyway, and you're off. Goodbye. Good Luck. And, don't call US. We'll call YOU."
"Tell your Friends."
VonMisesJr| 12.21.11 @ 9:21AM
Dear Peter,
I met you at a TEA Party monthly meeting. I have also met Robert Moffit, PhD. who leads up the Heritage Health Care project on two occasions, once with Betsy McCaughey. I had conversations with Dr. Moffit both times he presented to the AFP/TEA Party, and I am sure his ideas are congruent with yours today. Betsy McCaughey is an avid opponent of ObamaCare and can cite specifics in the Bill from memory.
I tell you this not for any other reason than to thank you for spending the time and effort to meet with concerned citizens, and to inform readers of the comments of your column that AFP and local TEA Party events can provide great opportunities to learn and have your voices heard.
Have a Merry Christmas and thank you for being a fine American.VMJr.
Peppermint Tea| 12.21.11 @ 9:59AM
The entire problem is the misconception that we need a healthcare plan.
When can we get it through our heads that THIS IS CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PLANNING! The same crap that ruined east Germany, eastern Europe, and now the Euro zone. The same crap that makes North Korea a dark night sky. The same crap that held China down for 1000 years.
For some reason the Heritage Foundation wanted Hillarycare Lite, in other words CENTRAL PLANNING lite. For some ungodly reason Gov. Romney wanted MASScare Lite.
The answer is FREEDOM! LESS regulation not more.
Thanks for telling the story, Peter.
Colin | 12.21.11 @ 10:33AM
Obamacare: The Future
- Soylent Green
- Logan's Run
Suggestion:
- Don't get old.
RJ| 12.21.11 @ 11:17AM
Thanks Peter for your work in challenging more government control over personal health care.
I remember Heritage's plan and its role in RomneyCare. It caused me to reconsider my support of The Heritage Foundation. Frankly, I lost confidence in it and viewed it more of a statist organization. I suppose its error was that it felt compelled to propose a government solution in order to "do something" regarding a current problem.
Greg Scandlen| 12.21.11 @ 1:01PM
Hey, Peter. I beat you to the punch on this. When I was running CAHI in 1992 I critiqued Heritage's proposal for Maryland which included an individual mandate, a commission to dictate allowable benefits, subsidies paid for with higher taxes on employers, and so on. I wrote to Stuart asking for a meeting to discuss it and never heard back from him.
I'm afraid Stuart was more interested in building his creds with the DC health policy elite than in advancing free market solutions. It worked for him. For decades he was the token "conservative" invited to speak at all the health policy conferences.
bob alou| 12.21.11 @ 1:33PM
It was essentially that same Heritage Foundation which talked the elder George Bush into the idea that banning semi-automatic rifles that had a "sinister" appearance, would be a good idea. It (among other things) cost Bush the election.
Should Have Impeached| 12.21.11 @ 3:54PM
Peter:
Like RJ above, I thank you for your work in this, and I'm glad to have learned a bit about it. It's people like you who are in a position to stop a train wreck when we voters don't even know what's coming. I shudder to think what would happen if people like you weren't there. (Not trying to suck-up, just trying to say thanks.)
POST American| 12.21.11 @ 10:14PM
----------------'90's Show' DIS-traction----------------
-------------------------ALERT!---------------------------
MEANWHILE,
EVEN AS North Korea arcs into to headlines
with the --reported-- death of 'Dear Leader'
and
while the US Congress is caught passing
NDAA legislation authorizing the 'disappearance'
of American citizens ---and as news spreads
FEMA camps are being put on activation
'stand by' nationwide----
ONCE AGAIN, for the reality challenged:
"Understand, 'Free Trade', Globalism,
USURY, TREASON and EUGENICS are
ALWAYS intertwined. ------ALWAYS."
That's right kiddies ------ALWAYS.
---------------HUAC/ Nuremberg 2012----------------
-----------------MERRY CHRISTMAS!----------------
Johnimo| 12.22.11 @ 1:18AM
The healthcare mess will require a radical, multifaceted reconstruction to be set on a free market course. (1) We can make most drugs "over the counter" rather than prescription only, (2) we must recognize doctors' and nurses' degrees from foreign universities, (3) healthcare IRAs can provide mobility and give an incentive for healthy behavior, (4) end the ban on drug reimportation, (5) end the ban on interstate insurance plans, (6) remove most citing requirements and certificates of need for healthcare facilities, (7) allow non-traditional insurance pools across State lines, and get the Federal Government totally out of healthcare. Where in the constitution is federal healthcare provided for? What we need .... in other words .... a total revolution in healthcare. We must learn that "healthcare" is not health, but rather a huge vested interest in the status quo.
WM| 12.22.11 @ 7:04PM
Thank you for your activism, Mr. Ferrera. Your story is proof that over time, principle works and so-called pragmatism does not.
However, while the Heritage Foundation may have moved right a little, it is still a statist organization. They openly advocate the notion that it's okay if a state does it, just as long as the federal government does not. "It" here means virtually anything, not just the individual mandate.
Things have reached the point where individual conservatives need to make a deliberate, conscious choice about whether they are going to insist on a free market and follow free market ideas to their logical conclusion, or whether they are going to continue tolerating government intervention because there is always some seemingly compelling situational need for it.
Opposing government growth only works in emergencies. At some point, you have to state your philosophy and act positively on it. If it is not going to be a rollback agenda, it will be by default more of the same "compassionate" big government statism that has brought us Medicare, SCHIP, and other government schemes that redistribute wealth and kill businesses and people. We now need an active freedom agenda, and statist solutions like mandating coverage for pre-existing conditions have no place in it.
Floating| 12.25.11 @ 12:54PM
A fascinating, behind-the-scenes account of how public policy in this country really gets made. It deserves a wide audience. Ferrara's political instincts have proven more sound than those of Heritage top brass.
Rationing Health Care| 12.30.11 @ 2:55PM
You complain about the government rationing health care, but is there no concern that using money to ration healthcare is the problem? Shouldn't healthcare be given to those who need it the most? Not those who simply have the money to buy premium healthcare, which in turn decreases the quality of healthcare to the poor?
Why shouldn't healthcare be given based on need?
Lantern | 3.4.12 @ 10:08PM
The entire problem is the misconception that we need a healthcare plan.
Obamacare is our future.
- Soylent Green
- Logan's Run
My suggestion is the same like Colin:
- Don't get old.