Health care

In the health care debate, President Obama pleads with Americans to get the facts straight before making up their minds. But that's easier said than done, and by his actions, I wonder if the president really believes this. Here's an example: A page at mybarackobama.com under the title "Setting the Record Straight" holds this prominent statement: "It seems like a new lie about health insurance reform crops up each day. These lies create fear and anger -- and we're seeing the results around the country. It's time to work together to set the record straight and expose the special interests…

Advocates for more government control over health care, including President Obama, cite cases where people have been abused by private health insurance companies. We ought to be sure that these cases are real, and we need to be aware of the scope of the problem, before we assign weight to these arguments. Wall Street Journal reporting (Fact-Checking the President on Health Insurance: His tales of abuse don't stand scrutiny, September 14, 2009) provides some vitally important information in the health care debate. As it turns out, the facts underlying two cases that President Obama cited in his address to Congress…

While doctors aren't the only source of information we should use when considering health care reform, they are on the front lines of providing care, and so their insights are valuable. Recently, Ronald Dworkin contributed An Anesthesiologist's Take on Health-Care Reform to the Wall Street Journal. He makes some good observations on doctors in general, and on the special nature of anesthesiology. Dr. Dworkin warns of a mistake liberals always make: that they can raise tax rates, and people will still earn as much as they did. With the higher tax rates, it's hoped that revenue to the government soars.…

Speaking to a joint session of Congress and the American people, President Barack Obama laid out his latest vision for health care reform. The President said that he doesn't want a radical shift. Instead, he wants to build on what works, and fix what doesn't. He criticized those who use scare tactics that split people into unyielding idealogical camps. The time for bickering is over, he said. Now is the season for action. President Obama outlined three goals. The first is security and stability for those who have insurance, the second is to provide insurance for those who don't have…