If the USA scrapped its huge military industry would it be possible to have healthcare for everyone ?

Answer 1

If it only scrapped 1/10th of the industry, you would probably all have free healthcare.

Answer 2

Yes and I guess it would be comparable to the National Health Service in the UK.

The US spends something like 1 trillion dollars on defence each year and has 300 million people - about $3,333 per person.

The UK spends £120 billion a year on healthcare and has 60 million people - £2000 per person (roughly $3,800).

The problem is, that scrapping the military would put huge numbers of people out of work - not just in the military but in all the companies that work with and supply the military, the cost to the economy would probably run into hundreds of billions.

The military has also given civilians a lot of useful technology and inventions. The internet for example was developed for military use.

So yes, you could have a reasonable standard of free healthcare but would have to make other sacrifices - not least being the threat of invasion.

Answer 3

If the USA scrapped the Military we would have health-care for everyone. However,it would only be as good as what the Russians or North Koreans have. The USA may even have the great medical care the NAZIS enjoyed. There would be no freedom and when we need an operation, we might get lucky and have one of Osama's skilled surgeons do the job.

Answer 4

Don't know about health care, but a United Nations display I saw once reckoned that the cost of educating every child in the world to High School level would amount to 3 days' worth of the world's military expenditure!

However, these simplistic cost comparisons assume that you can just switch the money around overnight.

A major cut in US military expenditure would obviously result in massive unemployment overnight, not just in the areas of direct military employment and industry, but in all the suppliers that serve them; a fighter pilot out of a job can't afford to buy the things he's used to.

The economic downturn would cut the tax base, resulting in less expenditure on other things, not more.

So, it can be done, but not at a stroke.

Answer 5

According to 2004 OECD data, the USA spent $6,102 per person of which 45% was publicly funded

The CIA year book states that US annual military expenditure for 2005 (est) is $518bn and population was 298,444,215

So to bring USA health spending up to UK public provision (80%) at US costs would cost $637bn. which exceeds the defense budget

However, average OECD spending is $2,550 per head. So to provide everyone in the USA with OECD average free health care would cost $761bn, which is less than the current spend in the US on public health (45% times $6,102 per head).

So reform of the healtch care system (rather than re-direction of tax dollars) is the way to go. BTW - some health stats (eg infant debts) for the US are worse than the OECD average

Answer 6

If the USA "scrapped" their military industry there would not be a USA.

Answer 7

Tricky questions cause the monkeys make **** loads of money buy selling weapons as well! But definitely worth a try!!

Answer 8

if the US scrapped it's huge military we could all retire

Answer 9

ES!!!!! And our Fathers ,Mothers,Sons and Daughters would come home and enjoy a Peaceful life.Instead of coming home in a body bag.Or damaged fighting meaningless wars.

Answer 10

yes- and we would need it to treat our slit throats.