Staff Reports
In a recent discussion on healthcare, Utah Congressman Mike Kennedy, who is also a family medicine physician, shared insights that some may find enlightening, especially if they have concerns about government priorities and healthcare affordability. The talk revolved around the Affordable Care Act, affectionately known as Obamacare, a program that has been less popular than fruitcake at Christmas among conservatives since its inception in 2010.
Congressman Kennedy, a staunch opponent of Obamacare, illuminated the glaring issues surrounding the program’s subsidies. He pointed out that a vast majority of those receiving financial help—93%, in fact—fall below 400% of the federal poverty level. Surprisingly, he noted that even couples making a whopping $600,000 a year might still snag some of these financial goodies! It raises eyebrows and questions about the effectiveness of the program, particularly when determining who is truly in need of assistance.
In discussing the complexities of healthcare and access to it, Kennedy emphasized that healthcare isn’t explicitly listed as a right in the Constitution, but rather should be viewed as a privilege. However, he pressed that the primary driver of healthcare should be the individual. This is in stark contrast to government programs that support unhealthy food choices, like soda and candy, through food assistance programs. According to him, one cannot expect to subsidize unhealthy habits and then be surprised by a surge in health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease. It’s like giving kids a bucket of candy and then complaining that their teeth are falling out!
Kennedy’s vision for a reformed healthcare system involves shifting focus back to personal responsibility. By advocating for high-deductible insurance plans paired with health savings accounts, he aims to empower individuals to take charge of their healthcare decisions. With these accounts, individuals can manage their healthcare expenses, making it less of a guessing game and more of a personal investment. His philosophy is that when people have “skin in the game,” they are more likely to inquire about the costs associated with their healthcare—promoting a culture where patients actively engage and make informed choices.
As he continues to push for these reforms alongside his fellow Republicans, Kennedy believes that creating a system where individuals are responsible for their healthcare costs will lead to a more efficient and accessible healthcare landscape. After all, who wouldn’t want to know how much the next medical test will cost before deciding to go down that road? The goal, he argues, is to fix a broken system that has become a financial black hole for many families.
In essence, Congressman Kennedy is fighting to shift the narrative around healthcare from a government-centric approach back to one that emphasizes individual responsibility and personal choice. As this story unfolds, one can only hope that the sound of common sense prevails over the bureaucratic banter that so often clouds discussions on healthcare. In these times, a little dose of personal accountability could go a long way toward a healthier America.
