There’s no such thing as a free mammogram

While the idea of a government bureaucracy placing limits on when women can receive mammograms is a big potential problem of nationalized health care, as Sheldon Richman of the Future of Freedom Foundation points out, these mammograms are not free and (successful) Congressional efforts to: “guarantee women access to preventive health care screenings and care at no cost … [by requiring] all health plans to cover comprehensive women’s preventive care … with no copayments.” (Emphasis added)” are also a symbol of what is wrong with the health care legislation now in Congress.

After all, someone has to pay for the mammograms and Congress gets to grandstand and take credit, but ultimately the costs are borne by employers and others who will actually pay the bills. Under a rational system, women would have the “right” to have a mammogram as early as they like if they are willing and have the means to pay for it (or pay for an insurance policy that does), but Congress would not be in the business of micromanaging when this or any other medical procedure is provided.