Measure 44
It's basic economics: There's no such thing as a free lunch.
You know it's true but you just can't see the catch. Measure 44 would expand eligibility for the Oregon Prescription Drug Program from poor seniors to anyone without insurance. The ballot title says it won't cost a thing. What could be wrong with that?
Let me help you out.
Catch #1: When some people get a discount, someone else will pay a premium. It's great when a group of people can negotiate a lower price for the themselves but someone has to make up the difference. If the first five people get to buy their dimes at 9¢ apiece, the next five will have to pay 11¢. You can't get something from nothing.
Catch #2: Someone has to administer this program, and those people won't work for free. The State originally estimated that the program would cost $350,000 for the first two years—twenty cents of overhead for every dollar saved. And that's with only poor seniors eligible. If this measure passes, expect an expanded agency with a multi-million dollar annual budget. You'll get the bill on April 15th.
Catch #3: Who's your daddy? It's bad enough that the poor and the elderly have become virtual wards of the State. This program aims to expand that dependency to as many people as possible. Once you're hooked you probably won't vote to cut your own benefits, will you? That wouldn't make sense.
Catch #4: This is just one more step toward a single-payer health system. First they'll get you used to buying your drugs from them. In a couple more years you'll have to call 1-800-OR-STATE to book your hospital bed. Then your surgeries. Take a number, wait your turn.
Don't say I didn't warn you.
You know it's true but you just can't see the catch. Measure 44 would expand eligibility for the Oregon Prescription Drug Program from poor seniors to anyone without insurance. The ballot title says it won't cost a thing. What could be wrong with that?
Let me help you out.
Catch #1: When some people get a discount, someone else will pay a premium. It's great when a group of people can negotiate a lower price for the themselves but someone has to make up the difference. If the first five people get to buy their dimes at 9¢ apiece, the next five will have to pay 11¢. You can't get something from nothing.
Catch #2: Someone has to administer this program, and those people won't work for free. The State originally estimated that the program would cost $350,000 for the first two years—twenty cents of overhead for every dollar saved. And that's with only poor seniors eligible. If this measure passes, expect an expanded agency with a multi-million dollar annual budget. You'll get the bill on April 15th.
Catch #3: Who's your daddy? It's bad enough that the poor and the elderly have become virtual wards of the State. This program aims to expand that dependency to as many people as possible. Once you're hooked you probably won't vote to cut your own benefits, will you? That wouldn't make sense.
Catch #4: This is just one more step toward a single-payer health system. First they'll get you used to buying your drugs from them. In a couple more years you'll have to call 1-800-OR-STATE to book your hospital bed. Then your surgeries. Take a number, wait your turn.
Don't say I didn't warn you.
posted by Gordon R. Durand at 5:58 PM
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