July 1 2019

Last week’s Democratic primary debates were full of meaningful, substantive and inspired policy solutions.

Just kidding.

Last week’s debates featured retrodden, government-first and interventionist policies that would leave our country less free and our economy bogged down.

Nowhere was this truer than when the candidates discussed healthcare. Ranging from Medicare For All to a public option, none of the candidates seemed to have a clear grasp of the costs that these proposals would incur – both to patients, the economy and to long-term medical innovation. However, in the spirit of a good debate, we thought we’d rank our top three worst ideas of the night:

1. Medicare-for-all: Medicare for all has been all the buzz this election cycle, though not all candidates want to implement it the same way, they universally agree that the U.S. must increase Medicare coverage. But, we should tell the truth. Medicare-for-all means reduced treatment options and control of your care for all Americans. In our current system, if you don’t like your doctor, you can pick a new one. If you want a second opinion, you can find one. Under a government-run system, you only have as many options as the government gives to you, the opposite of choice and freedom. It’s why socialist systems like Britain’s National Health Service rations care, leaving millions waiting for routine treatments. Proposals like Medicare-for-all hurt patients. There’s no way to mince those facts.

2. The Elimination of Private Insurance: Shockingly, several candidates supported the abolition of private insurance. Ending private insurance would kick the nearly 250 million Americans off their current health care plans and put their care under government control. This means they would not be able to choose their doctor or, in many cases, their treatment. It’s why support for Medicare-for-all plummets when Americans hear what it actually entails and how much it will cost.

3. A Public Option: Interestingly, some Democrats are resurrecting an alternative “public option,” essentially allowing consumers to buy into Medicare or another government-run insurance program. The idea was shot down in 2009 during Obamacare’s passage. Aside from the cost, a public options caps rates, meaning that doctors and hospitals that rely on a consistent income would lack the money they need to improve care and pay staff. It’s why the idea was shot down a decade ago and why state attempts, such as Washington state’s, have been less than successful.

 In the end, we should be grateful that voters are holding our elected officials responsible for addressing rising healthcare costs. Unfortunately, the Democratic field appears determined to propose the worst fixes. From Medicare-for-all to current proposals to allowing the government to set prices for certain drugs to even adopting socialist prices from other countries, Democrats are proposing policies which will restrict access to new cures and stop research and development. These policies will hurt patients and long-term medical innovation. Voters should remember that come November.