All of these people that say they are tired of expensive health care and that the "government" ought to step in and "provide affordable health care" -- do these people not realize that WE are the government, and that the money that the government has comes from WE THE PEOPLE?
In other words, either way, WE are going to be funding health care. Are people REALLY that stupid? I mean come on, which in the end do YOU think will be more expensive - health care financed by the private sector or by the government?
Does the government do ANYTHING better or cheaper than the private sector?
If you think health care is expensive now, wait until it's free.
2007-01-29 09:18:57 · 6 answers · asked by GI Joe 1 in Social Science ➔ Economics
This is a fascinating question if people can take the emotion out of it (which seldom is the case). Healthcare providers and insurance cos. are no more "greedy" than any other business people -- yet there really are many cases of just inexplicably high costs. Why is that? Must be supply and demand.
If people want the government to intervene, would that the government actually do things to increase supply and competition among providers -- that is the key to bringing down costs in this and every other industry. Usually the government does just the opposite, colluding with doctors to limit the supply of providers whenever possible; colluding with medical schools to ensure there are no new medical schools opened up; making it difficult to set up clinics and hospitals.
I've no doubt the free markets would be much better than heavy handed government interference, but the problem is we already have too much government interference, yet it's usually opposed to the consumers' interest instead of helping them.
2007-01-29 10:14:55 · answer #1 · answered by KevinStud99 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I assume you're in the States? Here in the UK we do have the NHS which is funded out of taxes/national insurance, so you do end up paying for it in a way.
It's nice to have it there, however you can only really get decent healthcare by paying through the nose and going private anyway. The waiting lists for operations and treatment on a public health service can be ridiculously long.
2007-01-29 17:30:51 · answer #2 · answered by Mighty C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd rather pay for universal healthcare through my taxes than pay for the current wars.
Of course "we" would fund healthcare through tax revenue if the US were to adopt a single-payer plan. And to answer your question, how would we know whether or not the government provides services cheaper of more efficiently than the private sector??? Virtually all "government" services in the US are currently contracted through a few priveleged private corporations with very little regulation or oversight. Last time I checked, that wasn't a "free market."
2007-01-29 17:32:20 · answer #3 · answered by forbidden_planet 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Nice question (gave it a star)
Not only will affordable healthcare cost more through the government but it will drive people to frivilusly visit the doctor because it's won't cost them personally more, so people who really need to get in will have to wait in longer lines.
2007-01-29 17:40:05 · answer #4 · answered by Economics Guy 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Obviously we invade some poor country which graduates lots of doctors, conquer & kidnap them and bring them to the US to work for minimum wage!
2007-01-29 17:28:01 · answer #5 · answered by jlarue700 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Why did you bother asking the question if you fully intended to answer it yourself? I think we Americans need to change our priorities!!!
2007-01-29 18:08:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋