I'm a Believer!

A report on a survey of beliefs about what health care reform will bring:

Among the results on items the White House considers myths:

67 percent of respondents believe that wait times for health care services, such as surgery, will increase... [I believe that. Who doesn't? ]

About five out of 10 believe the federal government will become directly involved in making personal health care decisions... [Of course it will. Duh!]

Roughly six out of 10 Americans believe taxpayers will be required to pay for abortions... [I believe this too. How can you not believe this, and at the same time not believe in the previous "myth"?]

46 percent believe reforms will result in health care coverage for all illegal immigrants... [Even if not designed to cover illegal aliens, if no one checks immigration status, they will be effectively be covered.]

54 percent believe the public option will increase premiums for Americans with private health insurance... [I don't see why it would. It's more likely that coverage mandates would increase premiums.]

Five out of 10 think cuts will be made to Medicare in order to cover more Americans... [I'm not sure.]

Fewer participants believe "myths" regarding the impact of proposed changes on current health insurance coverage. For instance, less than 30 percent think private insurance coverage will be eliminated. And just 36 percent think a public insurance option will put private insurance companies out of business. [Just 36%??? Isn't that a lot?]

In addition, only three out of 10 respondents believe the government will require the elderly to make decisions about how and when they will die. [Again, only 3/10? For such an emotional issue, that seems like a lot.]

So it looks like I'm a myth believer.

More to the point, how obnoxious that the White House calls these "myths." Most, if not all, are differences in opinion, no?