For some inexplicable reason, the Health Care Compact Alliance (HCCA) continues to be a cheerleader for socialized medicine. The HCCA recently posted on its website that: "Vermont’s [system of socialized medicine] represents one of the many ways coverage can be provided as states assume responsibility for their citizens’ health care, the chief goal of the Health Care Compact Alliance (HCCA)." 

In other words, the HCCA has statist goals: promoting state government power over health care instead of individual choice and personal control. This also clearly states that the compact is not inconsistent with socialized medicine, an idea that should trouble any liberty-minded individual.

Back in March of this year, Vice-Chairmen of the HCCA, Leo Linbeck III also acknowledged that the compact and socialized-medicine were not at odds with each other, stating “If a state really wants to do a single-payer system, they should do it.” Linbeck also said “What it’s essentially saying is we’re not going to have a one-size-fits-all program any more." But his endorsement (or at least lack of repudiation) of socialized-medicine ignores the fact that a single-payer system is "one-size-fits-all," just on the state level.

And make no mistake about it, at its core, a single-payer system is at odds with individual liberty as embodied in the Constitution. This form of healthcare places government power ahead of individual liberty, allowing government, not free people or free markets, to determine the value of a physician's work through price controls. A single-payer system will enslave doctors, denying them the ability to be fairly compensated for their education, training and expertise. As a single-payer system takes root, it will lead to doctor shortages (price controls inevitably do), rationing of care, and the government deciding the relative worth of individuals in need of medical care - all of these will deny each American access to proper medical care.

Listen to what Ronald Reagan had to say about socialized medicine:

Much of the HCCA rhetoric speaks in terms of individual liberty versus federal government power but the clear messaging from the compact's advocates is that state government - not individuals - will have the power to make health care decisions. Accordingly, the HCCA is promoting government power and control not individual liberty. 

The appeal of the compact is that it appears to advance states' rights, a goal most conservatives would share. However, thinking conservatives support states' rights as merely a means to an end, the end being the defense and preservation of individual liberty. With respect to the compact, the HCCA holds up the means (states' rights) as the end to be served, losing sight altogether of freedom and liberty.  And the HCCA's repeated endorsement and/or acceptance of socialism proves that Linbeck and others at the HCCA hold no regard for the end that every American supports - personal freedom!      

Linbeck and others who support the compact fail to understand that socialism is an evil that will inevitably result in a denial of individual liberty. In this regard, the Health Care Compact is no different than ObamaCare. It is a misguided effort for those in government to gain power and control over our money, our healthcare and our lives. 

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