Universal Coverage vs. Universal Liberty

American Thinker ^ | 1/24/2014 | Robert Babcock

[markomalley]

We conservatives can support universal health coverage. All that is necessary to do so is that we intend good for everyone, ignore the Constitution, and compromise our principles.

In his article published at National Review, "The Conservative Case for Universal Coverage," Avik Roy writes:

I argue that no Republican health-reform plan will get anywhere until Republicans come to agree that it's a legitimate goal of public policy to ensure that all Americans have access to quality health care, just as we agree that all Americans should have access to a quality education:

To credibly advance this approach, conservatives must make one change to their stance: They have to agree that universal coverage is a morally worthy goal. No conservative politicians oppose universal public education; instead, we champion reforms that improve the quality of public education that poor Americans receive.

The author thus makes the case -- asserts it twice, in fact -- that because conservatives support quality public schooling ("universal public education"), it follows that they ought also to approve of a federal universal health insurance program ("universal coverage"). This is a pernicious line of reasoning that undermines the very concept of limited government conservatives claim to champion. argument is a liberal, not a conservative, one. Just because one believes that education and health insurance are desirable for all citizens, it does not follow that one also believes that their sweeping advancement is properly within the statutory and regulatory powers of the federal government.

First, an important distinction: conservatives, going all the way back to the Founders, have supported the concept and practice of universal education. But that support does not mean we approve of direct federal involvement in education…

[LibLieSlayer]

ANYONE THAT SUPPORTS COMMIECARE IS IN NO WAY A CONSERVATIVE BECAUSE IT IS THE ABSOLUTE OPPOSITE OF ALL THAT WE BELIEVE IN. IT IS LIKE SAYING THAT THE POPE CAN SUPPORT SATANIC RITUALS AND HUMAN SACRIFICE.

[4Liberty]

Education should be privatized ASAP!

[Buckeye McFrog]

No conservative politicians oppose universal public education;

Given current dropout rates, it's just a laughable oxymoron.