5 Freedoms You'd Lose in Health Care Reform

There's a great article by Shawn Tully of Fortune magazine on some of the "sacrifices" Americans will be forced to make under Obamacare. I've also linked to it at the bottom of this post, you should read it.
Let's hit the bullet points:
First, you can't choose what's in your plan. The government option requires a level of minimum coverage. The required minimums are also subject to change according to the recommendations of government committees.
Second, costs are equalized regardless of health. The government option bases coverage on a "community rating," which equalizes costs among those with low or high costs. Young people with lower actual costs would pay proportionately more, and sick or older people with higher actual costs would essentially pay discounted rates. The real cost of health care would be skewed by legislative manipulation and subsidies.
Third, you can't choose how to spend your money. Many companies offer Health Savings Accounts, which include matching coverage from employers and allow workers to choose high-deductible coverage. Employees pay for routine care themselves and are more conscious of costs. The government option could eliminate the concept of consumer choice in health care.
Fourth, despite the President's assurances, you can't keep your current plan. Most large companies pay claims themselves and would be exempt from the approved government option. Under the new legislation, however, after five years they must begin to offer only "qualified" plans to employees. For employees of small businesses, or who get their insurance themselves, any change disqualifies you from your current plan and sticks you with the government option.
Finally, you can't choose your doctors. Under the government option, you are assigned a primary care doctor, who chooses your specialists and controls your access to services. Furthermore, your assigned doctor will be "guided" by a government committee's "comparative effectiveness" research (remember this provision in the "stimulus" bill?) which determines the cost-effectiveness of treatments.
Obamacare ought to require a warning label: "Caution, Obamacare may be hazardous to your health and freedom."
Read the article here:
5 Freedoms You'd Lose in Health Care Reform