John J. Nadzam – 10/21/14

This page was last updated on October 21, 2014.

Rothfus’ opposition to ACA questioned; John J. Nadzam; Beaver County Times; October 21, 2014.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Congressman Keith Rothfus, I’m disappointed in you and fail to understand why you are not supporting the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

“As a result of the Affordable Care Act, my son and millions of American citizens cannot be denied health coverage due to pre-existing conditions. Under the ACA, people with chronic illnesses and pre-existing conditions are no longer at the mercy of the arbitrary denials of coverage by insurance companies. In addition, many of the insurance companies are now required to cover recommended preventive services such as cancer screening, which may reduce or eliminate the catastrophic critical-stage costs when earlier diagnosis would have mitigated the disease’s course.

“I am happy for you and your family that you survived cancer; however, my heart aches for the thousands of Americans who did not survive their battles with cancer ... many of whom might have survived if they’d had access to timely and comprehensive preventive and diagnostic screenings, first-class specialists and care facilities. Shamefully, they didn’t survive simply because they couldn’t afford decent insurance or had pre-existing conditions ... May they rest in peace.”

[RWC] Coverage for a pre-existing condition is not insurance; it’s a handout. It’s like buying a homeowner’s policy after your house burns down and expecting the insurer to pay for a new house.

What Mr. Nadzam doesn’t mention is “there ain’t no free lunch.” Coverage for pre-existing conditions drives up a policy’s premium and/or deductible and/or co-pay. So does adding a bunch of “preventive services.” Look at it this way. How much more would you have to pay for auto insurance if the policy were mandated to include routine maintenance (new tires, oil changes, et cetera), including preventive maintenance (inspections, 6,000 mile checkups, et cetera)? Insurance of all kinds works best when it’s used to protect against unlikely events with financially catastrophic results. Using insurance to pay for routine events makes no sense. Can Mr. Nadzam explain how driving up the price of medical insurance makes it more affordable and accessible?

“Inasmuch as you are working to repeal ObamaCare, my family and I will be supporting and voting for Erin McClelland, who will be fighting for all citizens so that they can receive the best care available at affordable rates.”

[RWC] Folks like Mrs. McClelland and Mr. Nadzam believe the best way to provide medical care is via government control. I believe the free market is the best approach to providing the best combination of healthcare accessibility, choice, price, quality, timeliness of treatment, et cetera. No, the Obamacare “marketplace” is not a free market. Please read my paper “Healthcare.”