Universal Healthcare ... Yea or Ney?

Question

I had an argument with a political rival of mine (though a great friend) about universal healthcare.

I presented this argument:

I come from Israel (a country that provides universal healthcare coverage for all its citizens). I have read up on other systems, and many have claimed that they are horrible, but I would present the contrary for Israel. Anyone can see a doctor at any point in time, there are no months of waiting, and there are opportunities to add to your health insurance to increase coverage to more than the basic.

Everyone pays 5% of their gross salary and get full coverage, and if you don't make money, you're still covered. The benefit is really in the fact that you don't have to be on your deathbed to see a doctor, and many of our major illnesses get taken care of early because of preventative medicine.

I'm under the impression that if the US implemented universal healthcare, it would end up paying for itself because we would save so much on expensive care ....

... that will be ultimately prevented by getting early prognoses.

As a pre-med student, I understand that my salary will decrease in the future with universal healthcare, but we're not talking about my financial success, but of saving hundreds of thousands of patients from life altering cancers and illnesses by utilizing early prognoses.

Tell me your thoughts if you agree or disagree ...
Thanks.

All good answers. For those who disagree, you all made great points. I would most certainly concede that there has to be much thought put into any system before it is implemented, but as the most progressive nation in the world, we need not fear the possible negativities of change for the status quo that is hurting and killing us. We need to implement change, think about it, and do it in ways that no one interest group can take advantage of it.

Thanks for all the responses.

Answer 1

I am just a bit nervous about giving the government a say in when and how i get health care. I have family in Canada, and they get some of the worst health care there. If you look into it you'll find that most of the Canadians come to the states when they need medical help.

I have also lived in Germany, where everybody has health care, and everybody pays out the nose for it.

Sure i am in support of free emergency medical for anybody. But i have a hard enough time paying for my family, let alone someone else.

Answer 2

I think it is just a matter of time before America goes to taxpayer funded health care, but i have some serious reservations about it based on the history of government operated and financed programs. I'll give some examples. Railroads in America used to be privately owned. Ever since the federal gov't took it over in the '70s, it has become a money losing monstrosity with many localities dropped from service and low usage for heavy freight. Most freight is now carried by tractor-trailer which is dangerous for other drivers and eats up the road.
The other example is education. Although still technically private, there is so much gov't control (interference) that it could be considered public. In 1974, prior to the establishment of the Dept. of Education, American public schools were considered the world's best. Now, they are the biggest joke with high school graduates unable to cite what happened Dec 7, 1941, unable to do long division, unable to balance a checkbook and unable to spell.
There are numerous other examples but those are two of the biggest gov't nightmares.
I understand other countries can do it well, but i fear if this gov't gets hold of it, most of us will be better off dead.

Answer 3

I don't think too many Americans are against universal health care I think what we worry about is how it would be implemented we don't trust this government to do it right. In Israel it seems to be working OK but sometimes you can't transfer a system from one country to the next an example, in France everyone drinks wine even young children and it is not a problem, because they do it in moderation if they adopted the same policy here all you would end up with is millions of drunks. I have experience in health care I worked in a emergency room for 3 years and this is what I saw. The poor people that had government coverage thru medicare and medicaid were in the emergency room for every trivial ailment creating huge log jams and hindering those people that really needed quick attention. My fear is that with universal health you will create a 2 system care like in Britain those people with enough wealth will seek a system with the best doctors best facilities, best hospitals no waiting. Those of us left in government health care will see long waits for operations, the poorest doctors because the best ones will go where they are making the most money. The inability to get redress from poor care because you will be unable to sue the government. These are some of the points we need to address before we adopt any system.

Answer 4

Sounds like a good argument and the Israeli system is similar to the system here in Australia.

It may take some time to see a doctor in a hospital if you are not critical but you will be seen irrespective of money.

The Australian health-care system also ensures every-one has the basic immunizations.

Answer 5

Israels population is about 7 million...it is much easier to take care of a small number than a larger number...but Israel has budgetary problems of it own...(Still, the health insurance system suffered from a series of severe problems - mostly budgetary - that heavily influenced and weakened its ability to function as a national health care system, leading to protracted conflicts and frequent crises in the past decade and a half. The continual improvement of medical procedures, which are consequently more expensive, has accelerated these budgetary problems.)...besides i think in America we like our independence...at least for the most part...can you imagine the gravy train for drug companies if there were universal health care...if you past a law that required the government to pay for prevent medicine like in Israel...the drug companies would produce all kinds of "preventive drugs" and have studies showing they are necessary then the government would have no choice but to pay for it for its citizens...then taxes would invariably increase...so we can pay high now where drug companies are regulated by the industry of demand or you can payer higher later and lose quality...

Answer 6

I'm all for universal health care, especially for children.
But guess who else is starting to support the idea? Big business!
Insurance is getting to be too expensive even for the employers. Ford & GM are already talking about it.

Answer 7

No I don't. I prefer a choice in how and who takes care of my medical needs. If you needed to see a doctor how long would it take? The people from Canada come into the the U.S. for their needs. Where would we have to go?

Answer 8

Yea!

People should not do without health care just because they are short of funds.

Answer 9

that would be great, i would love for everyone to have uniceral health care.

Answer 10

great argument