Let’s get something out of the way.

The accusation that the Affordable Care Act will determine which medical treatments, procedures, tests and drugs Americans will be allowed to get is false. Rather, the government will continue to decide which services Medicare will reimburse for, while also deciding what care private insurers will be required to reimburse for. This seems basic, but I never pass up the opportunity to explain the distinction between the government denying care – which the law won’t do – and denying (or not requiring) reimbursement.

Of course, denying reimbursement may amount to denying care for Americans who can’t afford to pay out of pocket, but it’s still worth pointing out this distinction while anti-health reform crusaders accuse the law and Democrats of taking away freedoms. It’s the freedom to be reimbursed that may be curbed, not the freedom to get care. Even despite that, there’s nothing in the law prohibiting insurers from reimbursing more than the government requires.

But contrary to what some Democrats may have you believe, the newly empowered federal government will be making some dicey – and potentially controversial – decisions in the coming years regarding reimbursements.