Why aren't healthcare and education free in the United States?

Answer 1

Education is free for the first 12 years. The decision to cut off at 12 years was made about 100 years ago, and has become embedded in the culture. Most states also have land grant colleges that had tuition so low as to be almost free until the late 1970's. With the increasing budget pressure put on states by the increasing cost of services, in particular health care costs for the poor and prisons, they raised tuition to meet expenses. The cost for college education is still heavily subsidizes for in-state students in most states.The tuition at private universities has also increased more than the rate of inflation but most have extensive need based scholarships so if you can get accepted you can afford them regardless of your income.
The system for paying medical costs is determined by tradition of employer provided insurance, but with the rapid increase in costs over the last several decades governments at all levels are paying an increasing share, now about 50%. The current system is unsustainable so some changes will be made.

Answer 2

Reiterating that those things are NOT free anywhere -- some countries make everyone pay for them via taxation, whether those individuals benefit from the services or not. The US practice tends to be that only the individuals who actually benefit from a service pay for it themselves. Although there is always help from many sources both in health care and in education.

Responding to the (college) education part -- in every country where education is paid for via taxation ("free"), the money is limited and frugally apportioned by the government that controls the funds. Education opportunities are limited, and the universities are underfunded. This is true universally -- there are no exceptions. US students have far better opportunity to attend colleges despite the fact that they are not free, than students in other countries have to attend their so-called "free" schools.

The funding is why the US has BY FAR the most outstanding university level education system on earth, and why so many students the world over come to American universities. (In fact this is a major US export). Except for Oxford and Cambridge, there are no universities on earth outside the US that are comparable to the top 20 or 30 US schools. Maybe even the top 50 or 100.

All academic scientists recognize that the funding opportunities are in the US. This is why Europe suffers a chronic brain drain of PhDs -- it is a serious problem for people in Europe who actually care. It is also why the US is hands down the world leader in science, math, and engineering.

Answer 3

Because if they were free we would have sorry excuses for doctors. There would not be a good budget to pay doctors or do anything. See if it was free that would mean doctors would not get paid that well. Also all the studies that are being conducted to find curse for disease would not take place. Our Hospitals would be filled with patients and barely any doctors or nurses. Read about China and there free health care, and believe me you will want to pay for your hospitals.
As for free education well I don't know may be the same rule applies. Though I think it would be a good en-vestment. The more people go to school the more educated people are and have more chances of becoming successful individuals that add improvement to our society.

Answer 4

Because the world is full of ignorance; most of the people reading this post are rich folks who can afford health care and education costs going up 25% every few years. Just kidding, most are middle class sheeple who have never lived outside the USA, believe the America-is-the-greatest- at-everything propaganda, and support the go-go-free-market agenda which enriches the wealthy and is shrinking the middle class everyday. When they realize the error of their ways, it will be too late. They will not be able to afford health care in their elder years, nor afford their children entrance to the middle class. The bedrock of the USA was always the middle class and the greatest years of this country's history balance moral capitalism with new deal economics. You fools are giving away your children's future.

Answer 5

Why should they be? There is no such thing as free. Someone has to pay for the doctors/nurses payroll, the drugs, hospital services and everything else. There is no great pool of money somewhere.

Government can't pay for it unless they take money out of the pockets of all us workers. I suspect you are not a worker yet and haven't paid taxes yet. Nothing is free and has to be squeezed out of the hardworking American taxpayer.

Also the the home owner and workers pays for "free" education through property and income taxes. Where else can the money come from???

Answer 6

Have you ever seen Austin Powers' teeth? Well that's what "free" healthcare would get you. Like the fact that you know how to use a computer? "Free" education in this country and you would be wondering what a disc was.

Answer 7

Technically even if the government offered these items for "Free" they wouldn't be free, we would just be paying for them through higher taxes or a cut in social security... there is no such thing as a "free lunch" especially with the government...
Personally I wouldn't want the government to be in charge of my healthcare or education, can you imagine the red tape and lines to have anything??? YUCK!

Answer 8

I would desire to agree. I see no rationalization why there isn'tt a typical healthcare gadget in place to conceal all usa voters. I have not any doubt it may well be extra constructive controlled than the present NON-gadget we've. Ever attempt and choose what precisely is roofed on your HMO? babies without scientific coverge/dental coverage? Ridiculous and we would desire to constantly all be ashamed. i think in basic terms including a a million% boost to earnings tax around the board would conceal each American. i'd particularly pay a million% extra in taxes that what I presently pay for BCBS. extra funds is wasted in in basic terms place of work work between coverage companies and hospitals than what's definitely spend to restoration the affected person. exceptionally unhappy. as a procedures because of the fact the coaching gadget we definetely decide on reform. Step returned a pair many years... base line corporal self-discipline in our colleges is important as nicely as extra concentration on the sciences and much less concentration on athletics. that's absurd that a intense college soccer coach makes 200k a 300 and sixty 5 days while a instructor makes around 50K. soccer is in basic terms a activity. granted it teches teamwork yet below a million% of all intense college pupils will ever make a residing at it. I do think of activities are significant yet no longer very nearly as significant as a stable returned floor in the basics. the same with dropping funds on ESL (English as a 2d Language). Idiotic. we've young ones who graduate who're no longer able to show themselves nicely sufficient in English no longer to show attempting to teach them Spanish? funds appropriated for Spanish instructions or different languages would desire to be concentrated on the basics. examining, Writing, and Sciences. the colleges can shelter 2d languages if a pupil needs or needs to income yet another language. tremendously Texas colleges. We rank lots below different States yet we nevertheless require a 2d language to graduate intense college? extra like a thank you to waste extra tax money on something the standard public of graduating pupils will seldom decide on. coach the basics. that's what intense college is for. as quickly as a pupil has mastered the basics then that's time for different interests.

Answer 9

Healthcare and education are not free in the United States because we pay our armed forces. Most countries that can offer free healthcare, such as Canada, do not pay their armed forces, it is voluntary. That and the beaurocrats need $500.00 toilet seats.

Answer 10

Another way the United States wants to make money.