When I first read this I thought it was a joke. I am still in a state of shock that a health care advisor for Republican candidate John McCain would actually say it.

But here it is, from McCain Healthcare advisor John Goodman as quoted in the Dallas News:

“…the numbers are misleading, … anyone with access to an emergency room effectively has insurance, albeit the government acts as the payer of last resort.”

“So I have a solution. And it will cost not one thin dime,” Mr. Goodman said. “The next president of the United States should sign an executive order requiring the Census Bureau to cease and desist from describing any American – even illegal aliens – as uninsured. Instead, the bureau should categorize people according to the likely source of payment should they need care.

“So, there you have it. Voila! Problem solved.”

WHAT ON EARTH IS THIS MAN TALKING ABOUT?

Mr. Goodman is the President and CEO for the National Center for Policy Analysis.

Mr Goodman.  Emergency room health care for the indigent and uninsured IS NOT the same thing as a Government sponsored health insurance.  Any novice in public health and government policy should see that.

1. People without insurance are less likely to seek care
2. Care that is obtained late (as an emergency) is more expensive and prone to less than optimal outcomes. 
3. Physicians providing this care in the emergency room are NOT compensated in the same manner as if they were providing care to  insured patients.
4. Emergency room care is not capable of providing ongoing chronic care, short term follow-up or subspecialty services.  You cannot give prenatal care or chemotherapy in the emergency room.

Amazing.

You would think that he would know better.

Tags: health care, politics, uninsured