Wasteful spending raises questions about universal health plan

Most of the articles out today talk about how we need government provided health insurance. They say how many people die because they don't have health insurance. I think this is actually silly because 100 years ago nobody had health insurance and everyone seemed to be fine enough to establish the great American democracy that we enjoy today. But this article is different in that it looks at an actual government provided health insurance plan in New Jersey. The problem is that it is a very small government health care program that is corrupted by waste and fraud. This shows one state trying to run one tiny portion of the health insurance. They were over billed for services, people were on the plan who did not otherwise qualify, and there were no avenues in place to police and punish people who abused the system. This type of thing gets ignored in all the rhetoric for universal health care. But this is the type of waste that the private insurance system actively seeks to prevent. Private companies care about wasting money. The government will just raise your taxes to cover their misuse of funds. Enjoy the article.

Wasteful spending raises questions about universal health plan

By TOM HESTER Jr. | Associated Press Writer

TRENTON, N.J. - Audits that found wasteful spending in New Jersey's health care programs for the poor are raising questions about whether the state could manage a health insurance program for all residents.

The audits found wealthy people enrolled in health programs meant for the poor, paltry oversight of health care programs and wasteful spending, all coming as some legislators push plans to make health insurance available to all New Jerseyans.

"If the state can't handle a small health insurance program, then what confidence can anyone have that it will do a better job when it tries to cover everyone in New Jersey?" asked Assemblyman Richard Merkt, R-Morris.

Continue reading the article here.