To understand Democrats’ and Republicans’ conflicting visions of healthcare reform, look no further than Obamacare’s “Essential Health Benefits” rule. This provision is a clear example of the kind of top-down federal control that has led to so many of Obamacare’s worst consequences.

According to the health law, all plans sold on the Obamacare exchanges must offer a list of supposedly “essential” benefits, whether patients require these benefits or not. These benefits include pediatric dental care and speech therapy.