Berniecare for All Would Be a Disaster [OPINION]

Imagine if you will that socialist Bernie Sanders wins in November and is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States in January. That in and of itself should give you the heebie-jeebies.

But imagine further that Bernie Sanders is now making health care decisions for you and your family. Whoa!

Anyone who has had to deal with modern healthcare issues and the costs associated with such might find themselves favoring a centralized system of free healthcare for all. How utopian – but it's all a rouse.

First of all, there is no such thing as free. Somebody pays and that somebody will be working-class Americans. You. Doctors will not suddenly stop charging if Bernie wins the election. Hospitals will not fling open their doors. And the little purple pill will not magically appear on everyone's pillow who wants one. You may not pay upon the receipt of services but you will pay dearly through tax withholdings. And you will continue to pay.

Under Sanders's plan, private health insurance would be illegal. Only government insurance would exist, which means the government will decide what care it will pay for and what will not be covered. A government-appointed panel will determine whether you ought to get the treatment your doctor has recommended for you. In other words, the government may determine whether you live or die.

Picture if you will two hospitals in New Bedford. Only the government-run hospital accepts your government insurance plan. It is an overcrowded, run-down facility, as government properties often are, with long wait times and service on par with, say, the Registry of Motor Vehicles or the MBTA.

And then you have a private hospital for people who can pay cash that doesn't accept your government insurance plan. Because it is competitive with other private hospitals, this facility offers the best health care that money can buy in a clean, bright, user-friendly environment for those who can afford it. There is never a wait and as long as you have the money you can obtain any care that you can pay for.

Under Berniecare, which hospital do you think you would be using? Which do you think members of Congress, the Hollywood elite and Bernie Sanders would be using?

Welcome to socialism, snowflake.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.