But when it comes to truth-telling, it's the Democrats who have prevaricated. There is simply no way they can make good on their promise to extend health care benefits to over 40 million people who don't have it now without raising taxes, reducing benefits to those already ensured, or costing American jobs.
The president's plan is estimated to cost $1 trillion over 10 years. Senate negotiators are patting themselves on the back now because they've come up with cuts to the proposed plan that will save $100 billion. But there are precious few government entitlement programs that ever end up coming in on budget. The likelihood is that whatever the projected cost of this program, it will end up costing more than we anticipate.
Instead of trying to force an entirely new health care financing system on Americans who are generally satisfied with the care they receive now, members of Congress should be concentrating on a limited plan to assist those truly in need of health care who don't have the means to obtain it now. The number of people who fall into this category is far lower than the estimated 47 million we hear bandied about in political debates on the subject. That number includes millions who could afford to buy insurance but choose not to, as well as millions of illegal immigrants.
It would be far cheaper to come up with a limited plan that focused on providing care for the uninsured who are injured in an accident or who end up with a costly disease than to revamp health care for everyone. And if Democrats don't get that message soon, they will end up paying for it at the polls next year.