Myth #1 – Government Healthcare is More Efficient What does the government do that is efficient? Are Medicare and Medicaid more efficient? Is the DMV efficient? Synopsis - Myth #1

Myth #2 – We're Spending too Much on Health Care We spend a lot but we also get a lot. What is too much? What do we get for the high cost? Is it worth it? How much are a few extra years worth? Synopsis - Myth #2

Myth #3 – Forty-Six Million Americans Can't Get Health Care 10 million illegal aliens 14 million people eligible for existing government programs 18 million who make over $50,000. 8-10 million people who really need help Synopsis - Myth #3

Myth #4 – High Drug Prices Drive Up Health Care Costs Drugs are expensive. It takes money to fund the research and development. If we want the new life-savings drugs that we've come to expect, someone has to pay for them. Synopsis - Myth #4

Myth #5 – Importing Drugs Would Reduce Health Care Costs The United States funds the development of drugs. Other countries are not willing to pay for it. We are subsidizing the rest of the world. Newer drugs are not available in other countries. Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada 03/12/09 Potentially life-saving drug denied to cancer patients here Byline: Chris Morris A national cancer organization says New Brunswickers are being denied a potentially life-saving treatment that is the standard of care in most provinces in the country. Synopsis - Myth #5

Myth #6 – Universal Coverage Can Be Achieved by Forcing Everyone to Buy Insurance The current House plan will mandate that people have coverage and penalize them if they do not. Government mandates are one of the main reasons health insurance premiums are so high. Lobbyists push for coverage that isn’t necessary. Do we really need more government? Synopsis - Myth #6

 Myth #7 – Government Prevention Programs Reduce Health Care Costs The Claim: Healthier people decreases costs. The Reality: Programs are expensive and don’t work These programs do not necessarily change behavior and are costly. Healthier people actually cost more for health care in the long run. Synopsis - Myth #7

Myth #8 – We Need More Government to Insure Poor Americans The poor are already eligible for government programs like Medicaid and SCHIP. How well is it working? Why not expand them to help cover the uninsured? How many doctors do not accept these plans? Why? Synopsis - Myth #8

Myth #9 – Health Information Technology Is a Silver Bullet for Reducing Costs They claim implementing Health Information Technology will save billions of dollars. They claim that these savings will pay for much of the changes that are being suggested. It’s a good idea that needs to be done but the savings are not as great as what's promised. Synopsis - Myth #9

Myth #10 – Government-Run Health Care Systems in Other Countries are Better and Cheaper than America's Read the horror stories from Canada and England Statistics used to make this claim are misleading. In these other countries: Waiting lists and rationing are common Life saving drugs are not always available There are countries where a single-payer system works pretty well. I don’t know exactly the countries. Synopsis - Myth #10 Provide vouchers for the working poor and chronically uninsured And we should trust them to implement it here?

Proposed Solutions Real Ideas for Reform Change the tax code Reduce costly government mandates and regulations Allow the purchase of insurance across state lines Expand Health Savings Accounts (HSA) Support retail health clinics Implement tort reform Provide vouchers for the working poor and chronically uninsured Synopsis - Solutions