What Romneycare hath wrought

Via Bryan Preston, this is what happens when a government can order persons to buy insurance policies.

A Massachusetts couple who lost their business when the economy tanked were good do-bees, purchasing a health insurance policy for $750/month. But the almighty state isn't satisfied. It believes it has the right to examine every facet of the couple's finances before it gives the seal of approval to the policy. Not only can the state mandate that its citizens carry a policy; it can force them to buy a better (that is, more expensive) one if, in its infinite wisdom, it finds that they can afford to do so. Oh yeah, and it can slap a hefty four-figure fine on them, as well. (Emphasis is mine.)

“I would just like to say that we did make the effort and purchased a plan,” Destito told Herman. “I don’t understand why we’re in this situation at all.”

Because, Herman explained, the state must establish if her family could afford other, better insurance, and that affordability is determined “not, unfortunately, from your perspective but from the state agency’s view.”

In other words, the state decides how much health insurance you can afford — not you.

After that stunner, Herman asked Destito detailed questions about her income and expenses right down to costs of clothing, heat, food, phones. She also said the state would need documentation on her mortgage and medical bill arrears as well as what her insurance does and does not covers.

“This is outrageous,” Winslow interjected. “Bankruptcy isn’t enough? Unemployment isn’t enough? Buying insurance isn’t enough when it’s bought from a licensed broker in Massachusetts? They should go after the broker, not the people.”

Lauren Destito said her family’s financial reverses have been devastating.

During bankruptcy proceedings on the tree business, which employed both her and her husband, the bank auctioned off all their heavy equipment and then tacked its remaining losses onto the couple’s mortgage, which zoomed from $2,000 to $3,200 a month. They now owe $385,000 on a home they bought for $193,000, and efforts to restructure payments were rebuffed.

Now Lauren is back working part-time as a nurse and Nick is working as an equipment operator. The family is insured through his union. “But it’s hard to dig out when the hole is so deep,” she said, “even though my husband works six and seven days a week. It’s really very sad.”

A decision is expected in a month on the Destitos’ fine, which stems from 2010, when unemployment forced them to find cheaper insurance. That same year taxpayers paid $35.7 million in Massachusetts to cover free emergency room visits for illegal immigrants.

Something is very, very wrong with this picture.

Gee, maybe state-run healthcare isn't so "right" for Massachusetts after all.

Shame on Mitt Romney and anyone who thinks he's a conservative. Romneycare is indefensible. 

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