From Gil Jelinek,
Monroe
Republicans who oppose health care reform claim to be champions of business and free enterprise. But when it comes to health care, they speak with forked tongue. Our employer-based health care system puts American producers at a severe competitive disadvantage with foreign producers who don't have to bear these costs. But that is only one way that the current system interferes with flexibility of the labor market. According to current data, businesses are hiring more temporary and part-time labor. Why don't they hire permanent employees? A major reason is surely the high cost of health insurance for their employees, especially for small business that Republicans claim to champion. If Republicans were truly interested in helping small business, they would actively strive to reform the system in such a way that enterprises were freed of this burden. Many workers would like to change jobs, but can't because they risk losing health insurance. Some would like to go from full time to part time but can't because they would lose health insurance. Others would like to retire prior to reaching age 65, but can't because they have to wait till they qualify for Medicare, a government-run health program, by the way. Where would we be without it? The current employer-based system creates a slew of inflexibilities and rigidities in our labor market and restrains business from hiring full-time workers. So, where are the so-called champions of free enterprise when it comes to unlocking the system?
Republicans who oppose health care reform claim to be champions of business and free enterprise. But when it comes to health care, they speak with forked tongue. Our employer-based health care system puts American producers at a severe competitive disadvantage with foreign producers who don't have to bear these costs. But that is only one way that the current system interferes with flexibility of the labor market. According to current data, businesses are hiring more temporary and part-time labor. Why don't they hire permanent employees? A major reason is surely the high cost of health insurance for their employees, especially for small business that Republicans claim to champion. If Republicans were truly interested in helping small business, they would actively strive to reform the system in such a way that enterprises were freed of this burden. Many workers would like to change jobs, but can't because they risk losing health insurance. Some would like to go from full time to part time but can't because they would lose health insurance. Others would like to retire prior to reaching age 65, but can't because they have to wait till they qualify for Medicare, a government-run health program, by the way. Where would we be without it? The current employer-based system creates a slew of inflexibilities and rigidities in our labor market and restrains business from hiring full-time workers. So, where are the so-called champions of free enterprise when it comes to unlocking the system?
