Does anyone understand the healthcare 'reform' proposed by President Obama?

No? I didn't think so.

All I've heard or read is those opposed to the plan say it will put an end to private insurance and freedom to choose one's doctor.

Those favoring the plan say it will do no such thing.

Judging from how well the stimulus packages and bailouts were explained and implemented, I doubt any of our elected representatives understand just exactly what this healthcare reform measure does or doesn't do.

I do believe the proponents are inflating the numbers of uninsured Americans. Perhaps 'inflating' isn't the correct word. Misrepresenting would be better.

Some of the uninsured — several million by most accounts — are illegal aliens. Should American taxpayers pay for their insurance?

Oh, we must, proponents say. Their children go to school with our children and are not getting vaccinations, which will expose our children to all sorts of diseases. Also, these uninsured illegal aliens are flooding our emergency rooms where they know they can receive treatment for any number of minor illnesses. The insured foot the bill for those services, so by insuring the illegals, those currently insured will actually save money!

These are just two of the justifications I've heard.

I've got an answer for that little problem. Round 'em up and ship 'em back to where they came from. Sure, it couldn't be done in a day or a week or even a year, but little by little, the problem can be resolved if we just enforce the immigration laws already on the books.

The cost to do so can be recouped by the money saved on education, social services and healthcare provided to illegals.

OK, that's one aspect of the healthcare dilemma solved.

Another huge chunk of our nation's uninsured comes from those who can afford to buy insurance, they just don't choose to do so. I've got examples of that right here in my little company of 20 employees. The company pays the biggest portion of individual coverage, with the employee picking up about $20 per week. That's pre-tax so the net effect on the paycheck is less than that.

Multiply this example times the millions of small businesses around the country and you can eliminate another big piece of the uninsured pie.

Next, you have those children of employed, insured workers. Most companies, like ours, will cover their employees but not the families. Family coverage is costly, I can assure you. The families of these employees often go uninsured. I sympathize with their plight, but having a family is a choice. Everyone knows having children is an expensive proposition — clothes, food, school supplies, entertainment and the like. The cost of health insurance should be one of the factors considered before having children. Should we go on vacation or pay for health insurance for the kids? Cell phone or insurance premium? But hey, it's your choice.

What about those who lose insurance when their company shuts down? Or have catastrophic illnesses or accidents? Isn't there something that can be done about them?

Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone had full healthcare coverage, lived in a big house, drove a new car, ate the best food and wore the finest clothes?

Yes. Yes it would.

But that's not going to happen.

There will always be those who can afford the best, some who can afford the mediocre and some, sadly, who barely survive.

The government already spends billions of our dollars trying to help the poor and downtrodden and their situations seem only to get worse, not better.

Contrary to what many believe, our Constitution does not guarantee everyone will have equal lifestyles. Those who do ascribe to that belief are the ones now trying to ensure quality, affordable health care coverage to all who reside in the United States.

Like I said at the outset of this column, I don't understand what is being proposed, but I'm willing to bet, if passed, it will not come off as advertised.

We are not living in a utopia and no amount of government intervention will put us there.

Could our healthcare system be improved? Certainly. Will it?

Probably not. Cody Sossamon (cody@gaffneyledger.com) is publisher of The Gaffney Ledger.