Why do we not have Universal health care?

Question

It's amazing that the government can find billions of dollars to pay for a war that a majority of the American public feels is misguided at best or put space shuttles out of the atmosphere for no real purpose other than to show off our technological might, and yet when we ask our politicians why there is not government sponsored, free health care for everyone we are told that it is too expensive. Think of the good that this country could do if it redirected the money spent on this war to support it's own citizens. Think about how many people could be fed (New Orleans) with the money saved from cancelling one multi-million dollar space shuttle launch. How much alternative fuel research could be accomplished if we took even half of the money being spent on the Iraq war and redirected it. Even the White House has admitted that there are no ties between Saddam and al Queda and that Iraq did NOT have WMDs. SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND OUR CITIZENS, NOT THE WAR!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Let me start by saying I do think universal health care coverage makes sense - health care costs are spiralling out of control, and account for a lot of the wage stagnation that has hit the middle and lower class worker.

That said, it's not a simple fix. Why do we not have universal health care? A lack of will to make tough decisions - not just from politicians, but from the rest of us:

1) What would be covered? Should everyone have equal access to the most expensive, experimental treatments? Would expensive, aggressive treatment be covered for a patient with little likelihood of recovery?

2) Who pays for what? There's no such thing as "free." Universal health care coverage means all of us, rich and poor, pay into the system, the idea being that the government would be in a position to demand price controls. Should you, a non-smoker who watches his diet and exercises, help to pay for the treatment required for someone in another state who smokes, eats nothing but hot dogs, and rides his motorcycle without a helmet?

3) How do we control costs? Do we restrict access to prescriptions or treatments, or restrict access to choice of doctors, or nationalize the prescription drug industry?

If enough of us demanded universal health care, and kept demanding it until the politicians enacted it, we'd get it - but we don't, so we don't. Before we do, we'd have to make some tough decisions first.

Answer 2

Because you (and the above responder also) as a liberal can't understand why, so why even explain it?

But for others, universal health care will mean that hospitals and doctors offices will acquire the appearance of the office at the local landfill, and will have rats and other vermin all over the place. The doctors will be wearing filthy nightshirts that would scare people to death anyway, so what's the point? That's one answer, and then it goes downhill from there.

Now, I would be in favor of a plan that provides a free program as follows: 90 days free mental health therapy for all liberals who voluntarily comply to receive treatment.

Answer 3

While I agree with you 100% on everything about America's spending and the gross blunder that is the Iraq war, universal health care isn't perfect. The average waiting time in some UHC countries for a mammogram is 11-12 months. Personally knowing several women who have died from breast cancer I think that smarter implementation is required.

Answer 4

We don't have it because the Republicans don't want it and they're the party in power right now. Maybe with a Democratic Congress we can get some things done. First, we should help the Katrina victims. Then, we can think about health care.

Answer 5

The medical lobbyists and the politicians in their pockets are the reason we do not have nationalized health care.

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In reading quikblur's answer, it occurred to me that the long waiting may be because more people have access and the UHC system is overwhelmed. So, her answer might be translated to: If we allow everyone access to healthcare it will take me longer to get treated, so if saving my life means someone else has to suffer, then so be it.

Answer 6

In case no one told you,there are over seven billion people on this Earth. Our natural resources are dwindling. Within another two or three generations,we're going to have to consider expanding the human race to another planet with water., or else we're going to end up in a survival of the fittest.
We don't have Univeral health care because the drug companies raise huge amounts of money to get their lobbyists to influence the politicos in Washington NOT to pass legislation for it.

Answer 7

Nothing in this world is "free." If we had to pay taxes to support universal health care, we would also have to pay for the federal government bureaucracy to support it. For every dollar paid to a health care provider, figure $1.50 in taxes. 300 million people times 1500 per person amounts to $450 billion in taxes to pay $300 billion in benefits. That amounts to $150 billion wasted on clerks, bureaucrats, investigators.
If there were free health care for everyone, everyone would overuse the benefits, causing a huge increase in expenses, and causing a higher increase in taxes.
A better solution would be to have insurance to cover catastrophic illness or injury, and have individuals pay for their own ordinary health maintenance. Say a $5,000 deductible per person. People would make more judicious use of health care in that case. Health care providers would have to operate more efficiently as it will be harder to get patients to pay up than it is to get money from insurance companies.
You have shown lack of economic good sense on the health care issue. Your other ideas lack good economic sense.
If you think you have good ideas, try running for office on your ideas. I predict that you will not win any election you enter.

Answer 8

The problem has a lot more to do with Insurance and Pharamceutical companies blocking Universal health care. There is simply not as much money to be made with universal health care as their is with our current system - even for doctors.

Peace!

Answer 9

We could not get the public to agree on the medicare drug program , universal health care would never pass, too many lobby groups agaisnt it.

It would limit the money a doctor can make, it would limit what medical care a person could get. and it would stop attorneys from malpractice law suits. Neither party wants it.

Answer 10

You're going to get called a commie lib now....Look, though you make a good point, many many people in this nation equate national health care with communism. I just wish that one of the ones who thinks that way would explain why they think that. England has a national health care system, and they are not a Communist country.