Letter: Tough measures could balance the budget

Controlling health care costs is key to balancing Minnesota’s budget. The state has continuously interfered with the market to control costs, most notably allowing only non-profits to provide health care services. Yet costs continue to rise.

We now control costs by not paying for health care. Cut the budget, then health care costs are under control! Hospitals and clinics will cover the cost of treating the uninsured and taxpayers won’t have to be concerned.

With widespread support for market-based services in Minnesota, the Legislature should use the economic correction to reform health care services. Minnesota should get completely out of the health care business and eliminate any health-related public spending.

First, let for-profit health providers serve Minnesotans.

Second, stop requiring hospitals to treat people that can’t pay, and make it impossible for anyone to sue if they’re not treated.

Third, why is tax money helping families care for elderly, disabled, orphaned or mentally ill people? Why do laws requiring decent treatment for them exist at all? Personal responsibility and market forces require these people to care for themselves, or their families should. Eliminate this waste now!

Fourth, why have public health departments when for-profits could provide these services with the market determining their products and profits. Tax money is being wasted controlling disease and educating the public.

Eliminate these services and the budget is balanced. The market would solve all problems.

Those wanting decreased health care costs and wanting people too poor to have health care to “decrease the excess population levels” would be satisfied.

After all, the Constitution doesn’t guarantee the right to health care, or even to live, if you’re poor.

Isn’t that what Minnesotans really want, freedom from taxes, no government services and for-profit companies deciding who lives and who dies? Isn’t this what you want?

Stuart Macdonald

Woodbury

Tags: letters to the editor, opinion, macdonald, budget, health