Publisher’s Note: Occasionally, I post commentaries from other public officials, activists or organizations. Given the politically and emotionally charged environment related to the debate over government’s role in health care, I am posting this press release from the Show Me Institute in order to provide another viewpoint for Missourians to consider.

For more information about the Show Me Institute, visit www.showmeinstitute.org.

Mike Ferguson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 19, 2009

Contact: Breck Frerking at (573) 424-1713 or at Breck.Frerking@showmeinstitute.org.

Study Shows Health Care Reform Would Cost Missourians

 Analysis: If implemented, current proposals would do more harm than good

 (St. Louis) — Proposed federal health care reform would impose an additional financial burden of $4,382 on every man, woman, and child in Missouri during the next decade, according to a study released by the Show-Me Institute.

“The health care reform based on President Obama’s priorities worsens the current inefficiencies in the health care system because it incorrectly diagnoses the problems with our health care system,” said Dr. Arthur Laffer, internationally renowned economist and one of the study’s authors. “If implemented, the president’s reforms will significantly harm the health care system, patient welfare, and the economy overall.”  

The study, “The Prognosis for National Health Insurance: A Missouri Perspective,” was produced by Arduin, Laffer & Moore Econometrics and can be found on the Show-Me Institute’s website here:

http://www.showmeinstitute.org/publication/id.205/pub_detail.asp

It models the general concepts included in the health care reform proposals being considered by the president and congressional leadership. The study concludes that expanding the government’s role in the health care market would:

• Increase national health care expenditures by an additional 8.9 percent by 2019;
• Increase medical price inflation by 5.2 percent above what it would have been otherwise by 2019;
• Increase total federal expenditures by 5.6 percent over the next decade, creating an additional $285.6 billion deficit in 2019 assuming the extra expenditures are not financed by a tax increase; and
• Reduce U.S. economic growth in 2019 by 4.9 percent — and Missouri’s growth by 5.0 percent — when compared to the baseline scenario.

“This research suggests that passing the proposed legislation for universal coverage would place an even greater burden on Missourians by driving up the already staggering costs of health care, with no end in sight” said Jenifer Zeigler Roland, director of publications and policy analyst for the Show-Me Institute. “The focus needs to be on sustainable solutions that provide more choice for patients, rather than more bureaucracy and government intervention.”