Would universal gov't health coverage mean that the State owns its citizens' bodies?

Question

They would be paying for their citizens' health, after all.

What kind of precedent for infringement on peoples' privacy would THIS set?

I'm not saying I approve of the current health care situation, but in order for me to support universal health coverage, there would have to be a disclaimer in the bill to make clear that the people retain the right to their bodies.

Answer 1

I thought the State already owned our bodies. It tells us what we can and can't put into our (their) bodies.

Answer 2

I agree there'd have to be stimpulations.
the problem countires like Canada are facing is the long list of people needing care. they decide how bad you need it- can you wait a few months without more damage or decreased quality of life?
they also deny some people based on age and health- but then again organ transplant groups in america right now have the liberty to do that as well.

people would still have the option of having private insurance- thus more control.
universal health insurance would have many kinks- most insurances now cover mental health treatment, some cover two days hospitial stay after surgery-others want you gone as soon as you can walk, ect- we'd have to decide our stance on things like that.

I'd benefit from universal health care because for the most part my family is pretty healthy. we have some massive hospital bills from ER visits- which would be covered under the universal insurance. many other families have healthy kids who have good immune systems, but they are active children who trip down the stairs or break bones at the park- and the prices just to be looked at in an ER are insane.
people would just have to choose which is better- paying for insurance or having insurance with less options/control

Answer 3

U.H.C. coverage works in most if not all nations that has it. There is so much mis information being passed around by people that subscribed to the rhetoric by the big money insurance company's, A.M.A, and drug company's that I think you need to do a little independent research to come to the conclusion that I did. The world health organization has rated the U.S. as the most expensive health care system on earth and yet it is ranked 14th in quality of care, largely due to the fact that 47 million people are without access to affordable health care. There are many reasons why America needs to fix the health care system many of them financial. Just take the time and look and you can see that something needs to be done soon or more jobs will be lost to country's that have it.

Answer 4

I don't really understand your objection - universal heathcare works in almost all European social democracies (as well as Canada and New Zealand - I deliberately omit Australia), and I don't think anyone has suggested that the state therefore owns the bodies of its citizens. The point is that nobody can *compel* you to receive medical treatment (or only in very rare circumstances).

Answer 5

Yes, they will consider the fact that because the government pays for your health care, it will now force you to take better care of yourself. Trans-fat bans, and government legislation on obesity cannot be very far away.

Of course, there will be rationing and waiting for standard tests and procedures, like with Canada. And there will be an influx of foreign doctors, as the pay will be determined by government, but because the Dems are beholden to the Lawyers lobby, they will allow malpractice lawsuit free-for-all.

It will be horrible.

Answer 6

I dont see universal health care working in the USA unless pharmaceutical companies spread the cost of new innovations in vaccines and new medications to the rest of the world instead of the USA paying for it.

Of course that would end up making univirsal health care in other countries actually more expensive and maybe they wouldnt be as viable.

Answer 7

A state hospital would dictate the type of medicine used that fell under its budget. The types of procedures that could be used and under what conditions it could be used. Do you spend your good tax dollars on a heart by pass if the patient is 80? These are the things that hospitals and doctors will need to face. Doctors will become more scarce because they will never ever be able to pay off their education loans because their pay is dictated by the state. Allowing the Government anywhere near our health care would be disastrous.

Answer 8

uh... that would be like saying the insurance company you use now owns your body? they can turn down any care that you recieve after all...

I don't really know how you're connecting one to the other though?

Answer 9

Of course. It's the next step towards Communism.

Answer 10

cant get what they all ready have. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8810949184378664013

ya put your seat-belt on it's the law. the dead don't pay taxes. you have permission slip marriage permission to drive permission to own a gun ect...