- If there is a problem, the federal government should attack it.
- Government can compel people to act against economic self-interest by passing laws.
- There is no downside to big government.
- The welfare state is the best mechanism to help the poor.
- Those opposed to big government hate the poor.
- Government is capable of running highly complex systems effectively.
- When addressing big problems it is best to centralize and standardize.
- Unintended consequences of government programs are a small price to pay.
- People will trust the government with private decisions and personal information.
- Spending more and taxing more are evidence of concern for the poor.
All of these precepts have been challenged by conservatives, but there is nothing like a real example and personal experience to drive home a message. We don’t have just a few “glitches” or even a time crunch for putting up the exchanges, we have in Obamacare a fundamental misunderstanding of the limits of the government and citizens’ aversion to big, complicated entities. The effort to construct one big system with a highly regulated product (Obamacare-standard insurance) may in fact be the entire effort’s undoing.
| Commentary |
CMDA CEO David Stevens, MD, MA (Ethics): “Our healthcare system is broken and badly in need of a fix. The root problem is that healthcare costs too much, so individuals and businesses can’t afford insurance. The Affordable Care Act, unfortunately, is built on the premise that most people’s health insurance programs are not adequate and all perceived inequities must be solved. So the law says preventative services and contraceptives must be free. It doesn’t allow surcharges for age or preexisting conditions. Children can stay on their parents’ plans until age 26. There are no lifetime cost ceilings. Plans must contain psychiatric, eye and other coverages that most insurance plans have not provided.
“I like all those things, just like I like all the bells and whistles on a Mercedes Benz 500 with its great ride and exquisite comfort. But I’ve never owned a Mercedes because I can’t afford one, just like most people in our country. I drive a Honda Civic and, you know what, it gets me there. We can’t afford the Affordable Care Act either. It will add a whopping $2.8 trillion to our healthcare costs over the next 10 years. Already, self-insured individuals are experiencing the reality of that sticker shock but they are no longer in a market-driven healthcare economy. They can’t buy a well-used insurance vehicle at an economical price. Only a Mercedes is adequate.
“We very well may be headed for a debacle. The ‘cure’ may be worse than the disease. If so, everyone may be so traumatized that they refuse to even give a hearing to a real solution.”
I was a ardent CMDA (then CMDS) member in medical school and residency. I was excited to be a part of an organization that wanted to encourage Christian medical providers to serve the Lord faithfully and provide compassionate care. I even participated in CMDA overseas missions trips. I unfortunately have parted ways with the organization and primarily over its continued public opposition of the Affordable Care Act and turning this political issue into a Biblical struggle and making the litmus test of a good Christian doctor one who opposes the ACA. Every person and Christian is allowed their own personal view of the law and I know many faithful and wonderful Christian who also oppose it. But when 4 out of 5 emails I get now are about how horrible the law is and how "un Biblical it is" and how you can't possibly be a faithful Christian doctor and support the law in any way, I have to painfully say this is not the organization I want to be affiliated with. Having served overseas, and being a part of an inner city clinic back, here I daily see the suffering that comes with poverty, drug abuse and psychiatric illness. While I don't begrudge any Christian who feels their calling is to be involved in government reform- I can't personally believe that God wishes us to expend all this energy fighting a law when there is so much suffering going on. Does this really help the witness I am trying to portray at work to my patients? To my colleagues? In a nation where Christianity is already associated with Republican, antigay, antiabortion rhetoric first and the love of Christ last- CMDA and David Steven's (who is a Brother and I have no personal grudge against) continued rallying against the law- I do not believe is where I think God's heart is. Are there parts of the law that I think are wrong? Yes? But do I believe that making this a Biblical issue, making the fight against this law a spiritual one is one I cannot be associated with. Good Christians can support this law, Good Christians can oppose this law. I wish my brothers and sisters in CMDA all the best, but pray that we can all re-focus on the priorities laid on our heart- for me it is not this law that is already passed by "those placed in authority" and law that will not go away- but rather to relieve the suffering around me, however I can regardless of the laws in place. Peace.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Anonymous.
ReplyDeleteThis email was very disheartening to receive. I consider my faith fundamental to my life (and thus work) and I happen to be a libertarian. But neither of those gives me reason to not seek to understand others' views, or less so use my belief as a weapon to oppose others' views.
This list of '10 liberal tenets,' if not intended to be offensive, is at the least an inflammatory list. I have many liberal friends and few of the things on this list would be supported by any of them. PLEASE keep the emails you send medical students an encouragement in the faith, which is sorely needed in a time of exhaustion and much uncertainty. An overtly biased and, in fact, inaccurate representation of views (including those of many Christians) is neither encouraging nor effective in making me more active as a Christian. It actually makes me sad for the body of believers.
Though many CMDA members I have met are wonderful people, I am withdrawing from receiving more emails like this.
Note from CMDA: "Obamacare rollout highlights views of government" is an article from the Washington Post, not CMDA. Dr. David Stevens is commenting on the article.
ReplyDeletePer Dr. Steven's commentary:
Delete"We can’t afford the Affordable Care Act either. It will add a whopping $2.8 trillion to our healthcare costs over the next 10 years. Already, self-insured individuals are experiencing the reality of that sticker shock but they are no longer in a market-driven healthcare economy. They can’t buy a well-used insurance vehicle at an economical price. Only a Mercedes is adequate. We very well may be headed for a debacle. The ‘cure’ may be worse than the disease. If so, everyone may be so traumatized that they refuse to even give a hearing to a real solution.” I'm fine with this as Dr. Steven's personal opinion- but the impression you get is that this is the "official" stance of CMDA and the "correct" view of Christian doctors.
I perceive the CMDA reply above as very inadequate. As I have just written to Dr Stevens, his commentary did not criticize any part of the excerpted article, and implied endorsement of it. I do not believe that the selection of the article and its use in the way it was use is appropriate for followers of Christ. I do not believe that the article was factual (truthful) or loving. As followers of Christ we are called to speak the truth in love. I would appreciate a published public apology from those in CMDA who chose to print the excerpt as they did. I believe they did a disservice to Jesus. (signed) Glen E Heise, MD
ReplyDelete