By my (admittedly partisan) count, Bev Perdue gave a substantive answer only once in last Wednesday’s debate. The question was health care and the high cost thereof. Dr. Munger and Mayor McCrory both identified mandates as one of the causes of high cost and a major reason why many young, healthy people choose not to buy insurance. When her turn came, Ms Perdue did not dispute that point, but supported mandates anyhow.
First, for readers not wonkish — what’s a “mandate?” In this context, it’s a requirement from the state that no insurance company can sell, and no customer can buy, any policy that does not include coverage for [insert law maker's pet peeve here.] A couple of years back, the issue was “two days post partum.” Some insurance policies covered only one day of hospitalization following a birth and, since that was cheaper, many women (couples actually) chose such a policy. WELL! Our overlords, er… make that “wise leaders,” in Raleigh foreclosed that option. Adults making their own choices? Not in our state! Thus the cost of health care goes up across the board — except for those couples who could only marginally afford it before and were pushed to choose the “joining the ranks of the uninsured” option.
Dr. Munger held forth on the usefulness of policies covering “catastrophic” issues only. Here’s Dr. Mike’s analogy: “I have automobile insurance and it doesn’t pay for oil changes.” When Ms Perdue’s turn to answer came, she supported mandates:
Health care is the driving cost for business and our system is skewed towards disease. I believe that if I need a mammogram my insurance should pay for it, and I believe that if you need a prostrate exam your insurance should pay for it.
Please note that nobody was suggesting that a reverse mandate be enacted to preclude that sort of coverage. Ms. Perdue’s use of personal pronouns is an obfuscation. She is saying that nobody should be allowed to use their own judgment about the costs and benefits of extensive policies. “Dear Leader” Perdue will decide for everyone.
Here we have the essence of the word “elitist.” It’s not clothing and it’s not a manner of speaking; it’s a willingness to impose their wisdom on people whose circumstances they do not know. Each adult in North Carolina knows his or her own situation. For a governor who recognizes that fact and respects their individual choices, choose Dr. Mike.
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