<div id="subtitle">Special interests, opponents of health care plans avoid the real issue in the debate</div><div><p> As proposals to overhaul the nationÕs health care system emerge in Congress, a variety of opponents have started raising the specter of terrible things to come if lawmakers make any substantial changes.</p><p>Republicans have grumbled about Òsocialized medicineÓ and the ÒrationingÓ of health care. Special interest groups have fretted about government ÒbureaucratsÓ making decisions about which treatments people will receive. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has declared that a proposal in the Senate is Òharmful to businesses of all sizes, to the economy, and to the American workers.Ó</p><p>Such dire pronouncements are part of the health care industryÕs attempt to scuttle plans to improve the nationÕs health care system. Why? The current system feeds the industryÕs bottom line quite well. The over-the-top rhetoric is designed to scare Americans, and it has a history of working: The attacks helped stop President Bill ClintonÕs attempt to overhaul health care. Never mind that the ÒfactsÓ Republicans and the industry are presenting are, at best, disingenuous. For example:</p><p>¥ Health care in America is already rationed. Insurance companies dictate what treatments and medicines people will receive. The quality of peopleÕs health coverage, or the amount of money they are willing to spend, typically determines the access they have to health care.</p><p>¥ The nation already has Medicare and Medicaid, major government-sponsored health care programs that contract with private medical providers. The programs provide coverage for patients who would otherwise have difficulty finding insurance.</p><p>¥ Businesses, the economy and workers are already suffering from the exorbitant cost of health care. The nation spends $2.2Êtrillion a year on health care, or more than $7,400 per person.</p><p>Americans understand this. A recent New York Times/CBS News poll found that 86Êpercent of Americans said the cost of health care is a serious concern, and 85Êpercent said the country needs to make fundamental changes or completely rebuild the health care system.</p><p>Congress should set aside the phony arguments and focus on what the people want: Change.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=53689080&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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