For Crying Out Loud, Don't Panic

October 27, 2004

What's wrong with this picture? As America falls into a panic over the flu shot shortage, my sources at area hospitals are telling me TennCare patients are being given priority. Why should those who don't even pay for their health insurance – or pay just a portion – be shoved to the front of the line? Don't get me wrong. Our poorest citizens should get the shots if they need them but they should have to wait in line like the rest of us.

 

This is just another example of what's wrong with TennCare. Twenty-five percent of our state's citizens are on TennCare. It's a national disgrace. One of the reasons so many people flock to it is because the benefits are so good. When the taxpayers are footing the bill, the insurance should cover the bare minimum, not rival private insurance. This only entices employers to dump their high-risk workers onto the TennCare program with few complaints from the employees.

 

TennCare costs the citizens $5.3 billion annually. It's time we started demanding accountability for our money. For starters, there should be random testing for tobacco and illegal drug use. Anyone on TennCare who abuses their health should be removed from the program. This will have one of two effects. Either the TennCare patients will start living healthier lives - thus costing the taxpayers less money - or they will be kicked off the rolls, saving us even more money.

 

I would have no objection to applying that philosophy to any other health abuse issue. If you're chronically overweight because you eat at McDonald's twice a day, you should get the boot. If you drink to excess, you should get the boot.

 

And don't hand me this garbage about a right to privacy. When you're taking money from the government, you give up some of those rights. Nobody's forcing you to take the money, but the gift – and that's what it really is – should come with strings attached. Just as responsible parents take away the driving privileges when the teenager gets a ticket, so should we take away the privilege of free or reduced healthcare when someone abuses their health. If you want to drink, smoke and overindulge, that's fine. Just don't ask the taxpayers to pick up the tab.

 

But recipients of government goodies have copped an attitude. They no longer accept our gifts with humility; it's their God-given right. That's why TennCare folks see no problem with getting the flu shots first. It's their right, after all. The priority for TennCare patients wanting a flu shot is not a major issue. It's just an example of the problem. It captures the essence of the attitude our state government has adopted over this program.

 

And while we're on the subject of flu shots, this whole flu shot panic is symptomatic of another malady that afflicts our entire society. It's the herd mentality. There's no flu epidemic and there's no reason to believe there will be one this year. Even if you get a flu shot, there's no guarantee you'll inoculate yourself against every particular strain. I've lived my entire life without a flu shot. This year will be no different for me. However, there are some folks out there who've never had a flu shot either but somehow have been worked up into a frenzy by the media because there isn't enough vaccine to go around. Big deal. There weren't enough Cabbage Patch dolls to go around either and I survived. Get a grip, people. The sky isn't falling. The end times aren't here. So, you might get the flu. I think you'll live through it.