Wisconsin State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) came out in opposition to Governor Jim Doyle’s healthcare plan for an interesting reason — we can’t afford it because of China’s trade surplus with us.

Having just returned from China yesterday, let me just say that not all is rosy in the far east.

In China, if you have a problem you go to the hospital and if that problem would call for an expensive solution, you need to find a way to pay for it and if you don’t, well, you die.

Governor Doyle has a much more appealing solution — healthcare for all.

Consider the differences. In China, who Lazich uses as an excuse for her opposition to Doyle’s plan, you have to go the hospital for something as fundamental as prenatal care. The doctors will see you when they get around to it. Under Doyle’s plan, an expectant mother can make an appointment with a doctor and receive care when she needs it. In China, if you have cancer your only choices are where you’ll die. Under Doyle’s plan, you can get treated.

So, Senator Lazich, why would you oppose basic healthcare for all? Is the China plan a better solution than the Doyle plan? If not, then why are you pointing to China for an excuse? Would it be better to just let all sick people die?