How to pay for healthcare

That seems to be the $64,000 question these days. President Obama's health care-reform plan carries with it an estimated $1+ trillion price tag, and no one is entirely sure how to come up with the money. The New York Times reported on Friday that some congressmen were contemplating an incremental tax on individuals making $280,000 or more and couples making more than $350,000 a year. Predictably, this prompted a flurry of polarized comments, many of which were criticizing the proposal. On the whole, though, it's really not a bad idea.

Health care reform is necessary. The number of people in America who have little to no health insurance--and therefore little to no access to adequate health care--is both shocking and embarrassing. Any kind of systemic improvement will come at a price, but who should be paying? Asking those who are already hard-pressed to pay for health care to pay still more for affordable health care is a solution worthy of Joseph Heller. So why not institute a modest tax on those with substantial means? The Robin Hood undercurrent notwithstanding, it's a relatively small contribution per person that will do vast good across society. When it comes to health, less is not more.

And let's not forget the words of preeminent philosopher Count Rugen, "If you haven't got your health, you haven't got anything."

In other news, the Home Run Derby was tonight, the All-Star Game is tomorrow and my birthday is on Friday. It's going to be a good week!