You may have heard politicians discuss the creation of a “public option,” a public health insurance plan run by the federal government. But what would this public option look like?
The Public Option Means Higher Costs
Its supporters portray the public option as a cost-saving option. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Once instituted, the public option would become the third-largest government program in existence – after Social Security and Medicare. In just its first decade, the public option is estimated to add over $800 billion to the federal deficit.
So what’s the plan to pay for it? You’re on the hook. One of the most popular tax plans to cover the cost would see the average American family get hit with a payroll tax hike of over $2,500 per year.
And the Public Option Means Less Care
And what would we get in exchange for all of this spending?
Hospitals face a 60% revenue loss under a public option. This dramatic shift would put over half of rural hospitals in America at risk of complete closure.
Studies show that 55% of rural hospitals could close. That means 63,425 hospital beds gone from communities in need. And it means 420,000 hospital employees out of work in America’s small towns and cities.
The public option costs the public more, and gives the public less. The American people must reject the public option.