E Pluribus Unum

As part of another discussion on universal healthcare, Wince stated flatly that, "You can have safety or freedom."

Well, I disagree. The fact is, you can have both.

Here's how it works (parphrasing Kevin Drum):

real choice means (requires!) a universal healthcare plan that genuinely allows everyone to choose the doctors and hospitals they like best.

Everyone is covered by a basic (not gold-plated) level of coverage. And everyone has a choice. You can even choose to augment your universal plan with more insurance if you find that to be cost-effective. I'm sure there will be numerous insurance vendors (like this one) that will be happy to sell you (or your employer) supplementary insurance.

Safety and freedom. It can be done.

Of course, Wince (and other conservatives) hate this because it means a significant expansion of government, even though this is what people want.

Instead, conservatives like that kind of "choice" which is represented by the The Health Care Choice Act, sponsored by Rep. John Shadegg of Arizona.

Again, Kevin:

If that plan is signed into law, people would get their choice of private healthcare plans, alright -- but it does so by allowing insurers in one state to sell in any other state, thus obliterating state regulation of insurers.

Hey Wince: I'll take my plan any day, because it protects everyone (not just the insurance companies) and it gives everyone a choice.