Cost isn't the only issue.

Charles Mikkelsen of Dallas contends that universal single-payer health care would be cheaper, especially for businesses, and would cover everyone in the country. I doubt that's true. Somebody has to pay for health care -- the user, the business owner, or other taxpayers. Mikkelson contends that we should be like other countries, and if we don't agree with him, we are obstinate and shortsighted.

However, for the sake of argument, let's concede Mikkelson's original point that a single-payer system would be cheaper. The next question is whether or not we really want to be like other countries. Do we want to wait three years for a gall bladder operation? Do we want bureaucrats telling us which procedures we need and which we don't? Do we want politicians deciding who gets medicine when there's a shortage? Besides all that, it doesn't appear single-payer systems have done much for the economies in all those countries Mikkelson considers to be enlightened.

Perhaps Mr. Mikkelson needs to be reminded of the old saw "you get what you pay for."

"Single-payer would be cheaper." The Dallas Morning News; December 6, 2011; p. 14A.