Doug Green

I just received a viral email from a friend. In my analysis, the email is a political ploy to spread misinformation. While the email is titled "regardless of political affiliation," it has everything to do with political affiliation. More below the fold...

The viral email reads like a trick question: "require Congressmen and Senators to take the same health care plan that they would force on us." This is like saying "require politicians to take daily showers, just like they are forcing all Americans to do." The suggestion sounds good, but the assumption that they are forcing us to do something, is what the email is really trying to reinforce.

This a political move, because:

1. The amendment s sponsored by a Congressman who will not vote for it, even with his amendment. He's not trying to make the bill better, he's trying to block the bill. he's also trying to create a sound byte and a 30 second commercial that sounds good, but is based on a lie.
2. The misinformation is twofold. First, the very text of the viral email (and presumably of the amendment) states as fact that "that they would force [health plans] on us [americans]." No bill is forcing any health care on anyone. The President has said repeatedly, that if you have a plan you like, you can keep it. The bills only offer those who do not have or do not qualify for existing plans, to opt-into a government plan.

   The only people who are forced into a plan, are not really forced at all, but required by law to pay a fine, just as many states require you to have auto insurance. The requirement to have auto-insurance is to protect everyone, so that those with insurance don't pay for those without. The net gain for society is lower, fairer costs. It's no different with health insurance.

3. The second bit of misinformation in the viral email is that it talks of a "government run health plan." The bills will provide optional government health insurance, and will not provide actual health care. The wording here is meant to scare you into thinking the latter. You'll still get to use your own doctor, and if Medicare is a guide, you will probably have more choices.

And now that I've given my analysis, here's the original email:

Subject: FW: IMPORTANT . . . .HR 615 !!!! Regardless of your political affiliation

On Tuesday, the Senate health committee voted 12-11 in favor of a two-page amendment, courtesy of Republican Tom Coburn which would require all Members of Congress and their staff members to enroll in any new government-run health plan.

Congressman John Fleming has proposed an amendment that would require Congressmen and Senators to take the same health care plan that they would force on us. (Under proposed legislation they are exempt.)

Congressman Fleming is encouraging people to go to his Website and sign his petition. The process is very simple. I have done just that at:

(link removed)

Please urge as many people as you can to do the same!

Senator Coburn and Congressman Fleming are both physicians.

Regardless of your political beliefs, it sure seems reasonable that Congress should have exactly the same medical coverage that they impose on the rest of us.