Health care mustn’t tie us to big business

Health care mustn’t tie us to big business

Linda Dickey’s March 7 letter, which commented on the government mandate to employers to cover contraceptives as part of their group plans, argued that with the plan’s defeat, the religious freedom of employers becomes favored at the expense of the employees’ religious freedom.

The current structure of group health insurance creates a win-lose scenario across many facets of American society, including religious freedom. The rhetoric typically argues for either a government plan — socialized medicine — or to leave things as they are, a capitalist model. We don’t currently have a capitalist model. If we did, every individual could shop freely for group coverage instead of having to depend upon one’s employer to provide it.

This is the problem, we are being asked, “Upon whom do we want to be dependent, Big Business or Big Government?” Independence needs to be restored to the people. Opportunity is what’s lacking, jobs being only one kind of opportunity and not necessarily the best kind. Small businesses are at a disadvantage under the current health insurance model.

The linchpin? Change the law to redefine a group health plan to mean free-forming associations and buying clubs. Allow people to voluntarily join the group that offers the best fit of benefit options for his or her family’s needs and beliefs. Let these associations and buying clubs vie for customers and become responsive to members, thus forcing insurance companies to be responsive in turn. Let the supply and demand feedback loops work as they are supposed to. Health insurance should be portable like auto and home insurance. You shouldn’t be trapped in a corporate job for health insurance, nor lose your insurance if you’re laid off. Religious, financial, creative freedoms are all constrained by employer-sponsored health insurance.

Brian Van Dine

Carol Stream