The Law of Unintended Consequences

We all know what this law says, or at least most of us do. Why is it that so many people who work in government either forget this law, or believe they are exempt from it? I had to comment on this story which brilliantly illustrates this point. The State of Hawaii is ending its program of universal health care for children because it has become too expensive. The reason?

A state official said families were dropping private coverage so their children would be eligible for the subsidized plan.

You mean if you give away something for free, some people will start using it instead of paying for it themselves? Oh yeah, would not have seen that one coming. Shocking.

“People who were already able to afford health care began to stop paying for it so they could get it for free,” said Dr. Kenny Fink, the administrator for Med-QUEST at the Department of Human Services. “I don’t believe that was the intent of the program.”

Gee, ya think? Of course it wasn’t the *intent* of the program! That’s why it’s called the Law of *Unintended* Consequences. How does someone make it to adulthood and remain this clueless?

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  1. Pingback: Maybe I’ll Just Leave Instead » planet snewpy

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