Health care bill won’t reduce costs

I want to add my disapproval of Rep. David Price voting for the health care bill. That bill will not reduce health care costs in the United States.

A basic tenet of economics is that an increase in demand increases prices. With health care that is what has happened over the past 40 or so years as demand has increased for four principle reasons. First is the increase brought on by Medicare and Medicaid; second is an increase brought on by a societal demand for the best health care possible without regard to cost; third is related to the second, an increase in utilization of health insurance — with insurance we worry less about costs which leads to an increase in use; and fourth is the practice of defensive medicine brought on by threat of lawsuits.

The recently passed health care bill does apparently decrease Medicare demand, while increasing demand by providing insurance to millions. On balance, these two may cancel each other out. But, if Congress does not decrease Medicare, which is what many say will occur, this bill will lead to an increase in demand with a resulting increase in prices since little or nothing is done in the bill to decease the other causes of demand noted above.

Most members of Congress, including Price, voted for the health care bill for the sole reason of getting the federal government to pay for health insurance for some people. They have no interest in lowering health care costs.

DENNIS HOUSE

Chapel Hill

Selfish hypocrisy

I owe no allegiance to either party, but I am completely flabbergasted by the crass attitude displayed by those among us who oppose the health care bill.

Statistically, some of the angsty folk who vehemently yelled at town hall meetings have lost their jobs and health insurance, probably going broke as a result of illness in the family. They will, of necessity, have crossed over and be yelling for passage of a public option. Given the economic circumstances we are in, I am willing to bet not much of the reverse has occurred.

It is unimaginably hypocritical (as is often displayed mostly by the wealthier among us ) to have only the narrow view that one will never need this service and thus oppose it with undue vigor.

I am still trying to get my mind around the inherent selfishness the better off among us feel about sharing even a meagre piece of the security we feel with fellow citizens.

ANTHONY GACHIE

Chapel Hill