What are your views on universal healthcare?

Question

Will it work? Is it a lost hope? What would make it work?

Answer 1

It works in many countries. Most developed countries have some form of universal health care.
The U.S. has one of the best health care systems in the world (for those that can afford it). They also pay more of their GDP for that system than other countries.
Assuming you are from the US, I wouldn't give up hope on a universal system, but I doubt it'll come at the expense of the private system. They'll probably bring in a mixed system first, but people who need it most are probably the ones who vote least, so it's going to take a lot of concerted effort to get it off the ground. But, its far from hopeless.

Peace

Answer 2

I think its better option long term because insurance companies are never gonna be to control what minotry of doctors charge, or what treaments they bill for. The propeirty laws for healthcare information make it harder to find information about patient ER situation. Basic healthcare is a human right, and commodity of basic healthcare treatments is cruel to the uneducated and poorest of society. One thing if it working what your worth. Finally, when you spend 15% of the GDP and have life expectancies closer to Mexico than Europe it means healthcare system not doing something right.

Also, having to depend on a employer for healthcare creates joblock because a lot of people will keep the job sometimes because of healthcare more than wages because as a worker you dont know if the companies healthcare benefits are to your benefit as a worker.
The lack of transpracy in pricing by small minotry of Doctor offices is disgusting they will bill insurance A 50 dollars than if the patient doesnt have insurance some doctors think thier better than 99% of the other doctors in the area and bill it for 200 dollars. A xray cost 100 dollars from doctor A, but 300 dollars from doctor B did the doctor B do a better not necessarly.

Also, Having 4000 different insurance plans, and coverage rules on each plan makes it inefficent from a doctor office standpoint too they need billers and coders just for crap work. Its the 5% of doctors, patients, certain insurance rules that drive healthcare costs thru the roof. Close to 95% of doctors will bill you the same as the insurance company if you dont have the money for treatment or even treat the patient for little less money if your broke. Then you have doctors who will charge the insurance company what they can get away with because they probadly figure the insurance pist them off so much," I might as well milk them with fake claims if i can away with it".

There should be a place for private insurance for the people want treatment, and high tech goodies on demand. Universal healthcare for the rest of the population is a human right. Cut out the crap, fraud, waste probadly could build unviersal system without needing to raise taxes because one of three healthcare dollars is for pencil pushing in America versus 4% in Canada

Answer 3

Oh i think it is wonderful, Just look at Canada. Every time a friend of mine who lives in New York goes to the Doctor in Buffalo the Canadians waiting to see the American doctor tell he how wonderful it is.

Picture this, the last time that you needed a new drivers license. The lines, the paperwork, the hassle. Now lets take our medical system.

You know the one that people who travel the globe to pay for.

Yea that one.

And lets give it over to the Government. Yippie!

How many people think they pay too much now?
Wait until you see it under the good old gov. The lines, the waiting..

Or how about this.

Go stand out on the street. Give something, anything away for free. Oh yea. Did that get a crowd. No problem, they just have to fill out these forms.

To make it work in the end you would have to remove the human element from it. If we were naturally different then maybe. But as with everything else that is free, or is controlled by the government. Get ready for that top notch health care to slide down some.

But hey, don't take my word for it. Ask a Canadian who's child has broken their arm. Or a Brit who is over 60 and having chest pains. Hmmm.

What we have today is expensive. But it is the best. Nowhere in America are you going to be turned away from emergency medical care. But you will not get a free ride. Sure insurance is expensive. Buy some.

Answer 4

As an Australian we have had "Medicare" for about 30 years. I think it is abhorrent that any developed rich country does not have it! Unfortunately our current conservative government has been steadily and in a subtle way eroding it for their last ten years of administration. The aim is to create one similar to the US. Which is I believe if you don't have private cover and are poor then you can rot! Our scheme is funded by about 2.5 % of everyones taxes going into the "Medicare Levy", the wealthier pay more. This seems an entirely equitable system that the richer in society should pay more as they can afford to do so! If we are a compassionate and decent society we must take care of our less privileged citizens. We certainly have the means to do it.

Answer 5

It is a great idea. The problem is that healthcare companies calculate and bank of people dying rather than serving them.

I would like to see a healthcare that is a flat low rate available to every person, regardless of race, sex, sexual preference, diseases, or age.

The problem with this is that it would not feed the hungry pockets of medical companies. A good deal for the common person doesn't make good business for the businessman.

Answer 6

Australians have universal healthcare. We are a darn sight healthier than Americans, actually spend less on health care, and we certainly haven't turned into effete liberals as a result (whatever that means).

Answer 7

you can see in several foriegn countries it doesnt work. the whole basis of this country is free enterprise and to have the government have control of the nations health system is surely a recipe for disaster. an instant black market would be created for faster or more streamlined health care and if the system didnt provide funds for expertise the quality of the service would go down. ask the average physician how they feel about government payment for services rendered...a small amount will offer you clintonspeak...the vast majority will give you an earful.

Answer 8

The US is not going to see it as long as there are insurance loobyists. The US is the only developed nation in the world that does not have have it.

Answer 9

It seems to me that if our tax dollars can provide health care for all our elected officials,then the citizens are also entitled to the same benefits.

Answer 10

Economists Paul Krugman and Robin Wells wrote a very illuminating essay on the topic:

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/18802

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