Message to Congress and General Assembly: Government meddling undermines individual health insurance0

• HEALTH CARE - Op-Eds
• April 2, 2007

Doesn’t it strike you as odd that we purchase life insurance, car insurance, and home insurance as individuals or families, but many of us buy health insurance through our employers? Employer-paid health insurance is neither portable nor cost effective for the insured, and it’s a constant headache for business owners.

Medicare-negotiated prices lead to shortage of prescription drugs0

• HEALTH CARE - Op-Eds
• January 21, 2007

The latest fairy tale floating out of Washington claims that the federal government will do a better job than the private sector in negotiating low prices for Medicare drugs. Backers rely on the Costco Fallacy to support their case. It asserts that big buyers always get the best prices.

Government Negotiated Prices Creates Drug Shortage0

• HEALTH CARE - Op-Eds
• January 10, 2007

The latest fairy tale floating out of Washington claims that the federal government will do a better job than the private sector in negotiating low prices for Medicare drugs. Backers rely on the Costco Fallacy to support their case. It asserts that big buyers always get the best prices.

The Uninsured Crowd the Emergency Room and Other Health Care Fairy Tales0

• HEALTH CARE - Op-Eds
• September 7, 2006

People who want to expand government health care programs love to tell stories. An ancient fairytale currently climbing back to the top of the charts goes something like this: People who lack health insurance have no access to primary care. Because they have no access to primary care, their health problems go untreated. Minor problems become serious ones and people end up in the emergency room (ER). This costs money. You should pay more taxes so that we can save money by expanding Medicaid. Then people will have access to primary care, their minor problems will be taken care of before they become serious, and we will all save money.

Medicare Cap Makes Physician Supply Fall Short0

• HEALTH CARE - Op-Eds
• August 1, 2006

“Hello, I need to see a cardiologist for a heart checkup. I’ve been feeling a little pain in my chest for the past few days. Sometime this week would be the best.”

“I’m sorry. There is nothing available for the next couple of weeks. How about next month?”

This can be a common conversation in several Colorado counties, including Baca, Conejos, Custer, Dolores, Jackson, San Juan and Washington. Many rural counties in Colorado are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas. These local shortages of primary medical care providers are a part of a growing national problem. Indeed, entire states such as California, Arizona, and Wisconsin are suffering from physician workforce shortages.