After All, We're 'Only' Talking About Two Trillion Dollars!

I have written about this before elsewhere but think it bears repetition here as the fall election cycle begins to heat up. I wonder how it is every candidate for office is "selling" ideas for health care reform without abiding by the same principals of ethics that are required for licensed professionals such as myself.

Of course, one might argue that an insurance consultant really ought to stay out of the world of politics and believe me, I would happily do so if 'they' would just stay out of my business!!

Here's all I ask. Under insurance regulations, when I make a sales presentation I am required to give a full analysis of both the pros and cons of the product or service being sold - not just one side of the story. You know: "The Truth. The Whole Truth. And Nothing but the Truth." When candidates for office "sell" their vision for health care reform, they should be held to the same standards of full disclosure and honesty. (And it might also be noted, it is illegal for me to talk negatively about the competition!)

Whether it is through market based strategies or a Single Payer solution, we need to know all the features, benefits and costs - with realistic projections for the future - of health care reform. (At this link, a Cato Institute article helps make my point.)

No one buys from me without all this information. Why do we allow candidates for office to "sell" us a bill of goods with only half truths and soundbites? One can only conclude selling insurance requires a level of ethics we do not expect from most of our candidates for office! Now that is truly amazing.