Thursday, May 12, 2005
Bartlett again.
Oh yes, about that VAT and Medicare reform. If you'd like to do the heavy lifting to get a VAT to pay for Bush's prescription drug benefit, I won't complain.
But I'd be a cheerleader if you'd like to go about Medicare reform with a serious health care reform that broadens access to health coverage, fixes the way health care is delivered so costs can be contained, and is paid for with a VAT. Unlike the case with the general federal budget, I think we can buy a whole lot more health care with only a little bit more pooled spending. Health care in America is just way out of control, and it's time to fix it. Why just leave the messy prescription drug plan in place and pay for it with a VAT, when we can fix the whole system for the same money?
But I'd be a cheerleader if you'd like to go about Medicare reform with a serious health care reform that broadens access to health coverage, fixes the way health care is delivered so costs can be contained, and is paid for with a VAT. Unlike the case with the general federal budget, I think we can buy a whole lot more health care with only a little bit more pooled spending. Health care in America is just way out of control, and it's time to fix it. Why just leave the messy prescription drug plan in place and pay for it with a VAT, when we can fix the whole system for the same money?
