July 10, 2007 2:59PM 

# Anti-Universal Coverage Club in National Journal 

By [Michael F. Cannon](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-f-cannon) 

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The [Anti-Universal Coverage Club](https://www.cato.org/2007/07/06/the-anti-universal-coverage-club-manifesto/) was written up in *[National Journal](http://nationaljournal.com/pubs/nj/)* (subscription required) just nine days after it was [launched](https://www.cato.org/2007/06/27/announcing-the-anti-universal-coverage-club/). The article notes that former Medicare trustee [Tom Saving](http://www.tamu.edu/perc/staff.html) is among the club’s members.

It also notes that the club is “at odds not only with liberals but also with some conservatives.” For example, it quotes [Galen Institute](http://www.galen.org/) president [Grace-Marie Turner](http://www.galen.org/officers.asp) on why [she does not plan to join](http://www.galen.org/ownins.asp?DocID=1023):

> It’s perception. If people think we’re against having everyone have health insurance coverage, what kind of statement is that?

Turner is right about those opposed to “universal coverage” facing a perception problem. In my experience, the health policy community is characterized by:

1. A pervasive [opinion](http://www.iom.edu/Object.File/Master/17/740/Fact%20sheet%201%20%20universal.pdf) that the best way to protect people’s health is for government to pursue health insurance coverage for all, and
2. A common perception that if you do not support universal coverage, you are an [uncaring person](http://matthewyglesias.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/06/health_care_clubs.php).

Another word for #2 is prejudice. Which is bad enough by itself. But if #1 is incorrect — and there is [ample](https://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=8431) [reason](https://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=3627) to suspect that it is — then #2 commits another sin by preventing people from questioning #1.

Turner [values freedom](http://www.galen.org/hcbasics.asp?docID=764) and thinks that [markets outperform government](http://www.heritage.org/Research/HealthCare/hl1019.cfm). If such people believe that #2 is too difficult to overcome, that makes it even more important that the Anti-Universal Coverage Club challenge that prejudice.

##### Related Tags 

[General](https://www.cato.org/general), [Health Care](https://www.cato.org/health-care) 

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