Tuesday, March 25, 2008

One wonders what there is about the performance of our current government-run health- care programs that justifies Jacob S. Hacker's faith in "socialized medicine." ["Let's Try a Dose. We're Bound to Feel Better," Outlook, March 23]. Mr. Hacker cited Medicare as successful, but that program is running a long-term deficit of $50 trillion to $70 trillion. Despite all this money, studies have repeatedly shown that the quality of care provided is wildly uneven and pretty much mediocre overall.

Other government health-care programs are even worse. The Veterans Administration health system is a national disgrace. Medicaid is threatening to bankrupt state governments, yet it notoriously under-reimburses doctors, driving them out of the program and sending patients to emergency rooms for care. This is not a track record that inspires confidence.

The U.S. government has mismanaged everything from Iraq to Hurricane Katrina. It has run up $15.5 trillion in unfunded liabilities for Social Security and still can't find Osama bin Laden. We should think twice before we let it become our national doctor.

MICHAEL TANNER

Director, Health and Welfare Studies

Cato Institute

Washington