Why is the U.S. the only civilized western nation that does not cover citizens with universal health care?

Question

The U.S. has no universal health care and at least 40,000,000 citizens not covered for health care. How can a so called enlightened society allow this to happen? We have all seen news stories with people being interviewed who had to choose between food and medicine.
The slogans "Land of the Free" and "Greatest Country in the World" don.t seem to hold much water when faced with this. If you answer this and argue for the status quo it would help if you mention as to whether or not you have some kind of health insurance coverage.

Answer 1

because rich people like the Bush's run the USA and no rich person that has a fit if he has to pay10% in taxes is going to pay health costs for somebody else. Did you notice a little thing called the death penalty, have you heard recently of any millionaires getting it? The US is great if you have a lot of money and don't want to let go of it, not so great if you're poor and lived in New Orleans. It drives me nuts that so many young boys die for all those rich people. I have health insurance, a friend of mine has social security of about $900 a month and has to pay $700 a month in medications If you notice one of the answers was socialism leads to communism, In America using those 2 words is like summoning the devil. anyone running for office only has to accuse the other side of being S O C I A L I S T, and the candidate is done for. What bugs me is all these fundamentalist Christians that back conservatives somehow DON"T think part of being a Christian is providing for those in need. The meek shall inherit the earth, etc. These so-called Christians are cafeteria Christians, the parts that mention taking CARE of others doesn't count to them

gshewman: Look at mattinhoustontx and then I rest my case

Answer 2

You really need to research your story before you go on a rant. No person can be turned away from any emergency room in the US, regardless of their ability to pay. Further more there are federal, state, county and city benefits for any person citizen or not that needs extended care, no charge. Lastly America has the finest doctors in the world because they are well compensated for the services. In the great free society of Cuba, all medical is free and the waiting time to see a doctor is only 3 mouths if you don't die first. Their doctors drive cabs when they are not practicing medicine. Their take home pay is $15.00. per month. I don't care if you hate America, but when you make a statement, talk about something you know about. Dr. Junk.

Answer 3

Look at what kinds of healthcare they are receiving. There was an article on Yahoo recently about a German doctor leaving the country because he couldn't make very much money in Germany. The truth is that money motivates the best and the brightest to become doctors in the first place. Universal healthcare would essentially take the motivation out of the equation and the quality of the care goes down. What's next, free food for everyone? Free houses? Why should we who work our asses off be expected to pay for those who choose to be lazy?

Answer 4

Look you can buy fairly cheap insurance for hospitalization and pay cash for your doctors visits. I got laid off and lost my insurance. I went to the doctor and the visit cost $54. I paid 300 per month for 12 years and went 3 or four times not including physicals. The insurance cost my employer 700 dollars a month and I had a 15 dollar deductible. I am better off now.

I know we'll tax the rich so we can have free insurance. But How many jobs have you gotten from a poor person. They will cut the jobs to pay the tax. Do you think they will live with less.

Why don't the rich liberals and celebs buy insurance for the people . Because they only act like they care. same reason Daryl Hanna didn't buy the land for those folks in LA.

Answer 5

It is the land of the Free, free enterprise, that is the problem.

Americans have not wanted to be told what doctor to see, what medical tests they can have and what they can't have.
They want all sorts of treatments not really needed, and they don't want to have to wait 3 months to get a scheduled hospital stay.

Next americans don't want to pay the increase in taxes to pay for it.

Look at what happened when Bush tried to just supply drugs to the elderly, it was a uproar at the cost of the programs.

I would like to see a program, but it would have to include the loss of alot of freedoms and rights people have now, right to sue for malpractice or extreme limits on it, limits of charges and the such.

and it makes you ask, why do people from so many other nations come here for serious medical conditions, and not use thier government supplied medical treatment

Answer 6

The same reason that the rich from other countries come here for health care, it is a better system. We get health care when we need it, not when it is available. Plus I have no desire to pay 40% in taxes.

And it is the "Land of the Free" not the "Land of the Freebee". Sheesh, get a job with benifits or buy some insurance.

Answer 7

Capitalism. In the past the major corporations provided health coverage, but with the rising cost of health care they can't afford it.

The only way to provide universal coverage is with some sort of Socialized Health care program. Socialism smacks too much of communism.

Besides Hillary Clinton tried to reform our health care system to create universal health care. She got booed and forced out of the government. I bet if she is elected President she will try to bring that issue back to life.

Answer 8

America does not have Universal Health Care because it's a horrible idea. UHC leads to long lines, crappy equipment, and minimal innovation. Just look at Canada.
Basically the only health care I should have to pay for is my own.
If you can't afford health care then you need to adjust your priorities and/or finances. Don't tell me you shouldn't have to make those tough choices. Its called being and adult.

Answer 9

I have insurance that I pay for out of my own pocket. The reason we do not have universal health care is 1. we are more intelligent than that 2. if you read the constitution, health care is not one of the rights. For that matter, welfare, foodstamps, government giveaways, good roads, etc. are also not rights.

Answer 10

I have had personal experiences with health care in Germany and believe me, I will take the US health care with all its faults any day. We must have a good system because world leaders come here when they have serious health problems.