Why is it that opponents of free health-care lie and spread rumnors about other countries' wait times?

Question

but Canadians, Swiss, Germans, French, etc love their free healthcare systems?
Pooled tax resources buy cheaper efficiencies of course

Answer 1

Health care in America is a multi-billion dollar industry. If you look at the stats from the US Dept of labor, professional health care workers are some of the highest paid people in the country. In addition, insurance companies make incredible amounts of money, and have great political power.

That won't continue if universal health care is implemented in this country. Costs will come down, because some of the people who take a piece of the pie will go away. The government will regulate how much it is reasonable to charge them for such things as an MRI, or a half hour doctor's appointment, or a lab test, based on the actual cost. That means the huge salaries will diminish as well.

I work in health care. I see the charges on patient's bills all the time. I also see the actual costs to the hospital, and because it is a cooperative, all employees see the quarterly earnings. Enrollment is way down, but profits are up. There is only one way that can happen--we are charging our patients more money.

The price of care is hugely inflated, but I have yet to hear a single one of the "angels of mercy" or "dedicated physicians" I work with acknowledge that fact. They actually complain about their pay. I'm in Seattle; most of them have million dollar homes, vote Republican, and talk about 'class warfare' when the subject of universal health care comes up.

They are this country's 'experts.' They are the ones warning about the terrors of universal health care. And, they are the ones who stand to lose the most if it is implemented. The rest of us only stand to gain.

Answer 2

Canadians, etc can "love" their health care system in spite of the wait times, or they may not know any better since they figure their excessive wait times are normal in other countries, too. What the opponents of "free" health care say may not be lies.

As to pooled tax resources, pooled PRIVATE resources can achieve the same efficiencies of scale...but without the use of government coercion.

Answer 3

Hi, I'm a Swiss.
The healthcare in our country is neither free nor it is financed via taxes (well, almost not). Actually, it is VERY expensive. Switzerland occupies second place after the US for the healthcare costs. We must pay every month about USD200-400 of mandatory health insurance and additionally pay for many extra costs.

The latest example: I have asked my GP to mail me a copy of my last blood tests. Few days later I've got a bill for an equivalent of USD100 (one hundred) just for that. You've got it - not for the blood test itsef - just for printing out a copy a sending to me. And this is wholely legal!

So you can't say I "love" our "free" HC system.

Answer 4

The problem with free health care is that it would have to be managed by the government. Whenever the government takes a good idea, and turns it into a federal program, they always louse it up big.
I'm in the army, and we have a small-scale version of the free health care system. The service is terrible, and the doctors are not always the most qualified people to give you certain care. Plus, you have no choice regarding who your care provider is, the hospital assigns you someone. When one of my kids gets sick, I take them to a regular doctor, not an army doctor. I'd rather pay out of my pocket for quality care than trust the government to take care of me.

Answer 5

Talk with the Europeans about their free healthcare. They usually get upset at paying so much taxes for so little.

Health care is free at the ER. Those who do not have health care are typically the very poor. Even a lower middle class has health care options.

I will go broke before my family is without health care. Tricare will only be with me for another eight years tops. Yes, I do pay for it. But then I really start paying some money for it.

"Free" health care is a losing battle. to incorperate this is to raise our deficite astronomically.

Those who refuse to get healthcre, but have the means...they are simply idiots.

Answer 6

First to clear up any misconceptions, health care is not free in those country's. Those people are taxed for it. Which brings me to the crux of the problem. Most if not all repuglicans hate to pay taxes and if they had their way we would shut down government so they would have a free ride trampling over all peoples human rights. A country as rich as this ever person in it ought to have access to health care. Which I can attest to that all don't, I am one of 45 million people in this county that needs it and don't have it.

Answer 7

I am a Canadian. We are having massive problems with our health care system. We are trying to find an appropriate ways to fix our huge waiting list. Many people wait 4 months for an MRI, Try waiting for surgery. We have to wait months to years for simple surgery's. Please do not fool yourself, it is not as black and white as you may think. When you or someone close to you has to wait in pain because we are not allowed to buy quicker service as it is not considered equal treatment to all the others. (regardless that we pay out of our own pocket which saves the government system).

Answer 8

So they can make themselves look better and keep pulling in all the money they can. I want free healthcare!

Answer 9

And if one does not like the free service... well, one can still visit a private practicioner, and pay, if one would be so inclined.

Answer 10

The insurance industry has the best politicians that money can buy.