Universal Healthcare vs. Out-of-Pocket?

Question

Why make healthcare "universal"? That just means everyone chips in to pay for those requiring the most services.

Some people live healthier than others. Why should they be penalized for other's bad choices?

Shouldn't the healthcare people want to purchase be funded by their own assets (out-of-pocket)?

Answer 1

It will happen, trust me. It's all about the baby-boomers, and their large voting group.

When they were young, credit card interest was tax deductable. The government changed that because their were too many of them taking advantage of it. Prior to the baby-boomers it was taboo to use credit except for homes and perhaps automobiles.

They have proliferated on having a large voting voice of common interests, driving up CEO salaries, etc... A college degree used to guarantee a very good salary, but sadly not these days. Now you need an MBA. This was another way of keeping the baby-boom generation in the high-end jobs.

Now that the baby-boomers are nearing retirement, it just one more thing they are all going to jump aboard. As they age, their medical costs are going to sky rocket, and they don't want to pay for it. They want you, the next generation, to pay for it.

Answer 2

health care, like most other products can be purchased more cheaply in quantity! Like buying a case of a product is cheaper than just one can and a truckload is cheaper than a case. The reality is that insurance companies get 50% discount, right off the top, then they make customers pay based on full price! The added expenses that insurance costs the medical community adds another 30% to the cost. By going with a single payer (government) UHC plan the average persons expense would be less than a 40% of present cost and provide everyone with coverage!
If I told you that you could save 60% of what you are paying for something, by buying the same item for everyone in your neighborhood- they would all be getting it today! Insurance companies in particular do not want the public to know this- it is bad for their bottom line. As long as you can be convinced that it will cost you more you will be against it, but what if the told the truth that it would be cheaper!!

Answer 3

Healthcare should be about taking care of people, not about profit. Healthcare insurance companies make millions if not billions in profits.

This whole idea that the "free market" will lower prices is dead wrong. It has not, especially for those caught without health insurance. And even those that have it pay way too much and if the medical problem persists end up in bankruptcy. There was a Harvard study recently that showed over half of bankruptcies are due to medical costs.

A single payer system would exist to serve the people, not the elite few. Social security for example does not take a big chunk of the top to pay their CEOs million dollar bonuses. They take a very small percentage to pay their accountants and their workers. The vast majority of the money is channeled back to the people.

Answer 4

In Canada we have the "universal" health care. Despite what you hear it does work, with some isolated incidents. Hospitals are often overrun with ailments that a simple walk in or regular appointment would be suffice (they milk the system). I am all for everyone having the same access and making sure the taxes that will have to be applied to pay for the care are geared to income, as apposed to a "head tax". That way those who can afford to may more do. We may not all be equal on the social and financial scales, but at least make our rights to a healthy life the same. Penalizing people for choice of lifestyles is a slippery slope, today you don't treat smokers, tomorrow it is a woman with a broken arm whose hubby beats her regularly it is a fine line.

As for supplemental care yes we have the option for private insurance to pay for optometry, prescriptions and dental. I am lucky my employer pays for all that 100%. I think you would see more employers come forward and offer the extras if you have the universal care as healthy workers are productive workser. So many man hours are lost over ailments that go untreated due to lack of funds.

Answer 5

UH... ever heard of INSURANCE... that's the whole point... the healthy PAY for the unhealthy in that?

I've never even COME ANYWHERE near close to getting the money back out of my health insurance that I put into it...

but if tomorrow some teen slams into my car and puts me in the hospital... if I don't have insurance... my finances are TOAST with the cost of health care these days... and I don't want to be in financial ruin because of some act of God or kid or just rain on the road...

have you EVER LOOKED at an INSURANCE bill in the past... oh... 5 years? IT'S INSANE... have you EVER looked at how much other countries pay per person for health care that is rated very close to ours in quality? IT'S LIKE A THIRD THE COST!

how are we paying three times the amount of other countries with similar systems... WHEN OURS IS FREE MARKET and SHOULD be cheaper?

something is VERY broken in our system... and just so you know.. you are paying for it every time someone uninsured goes to the ER for emergency care... no such thing as a free ER visit...

basically we HAVE social health care now... it's just VERY poorly implemented...at a VERY high cost to everyone... except the just don't tell you... because they are making billions...

Answer 6

YES, YES ,YES!!! America does NOT need Universal Healthcare, if people want health care let them pay for it. If they can't afford it because they don't work, then they don't deserve it, unless they are handicapped. But people that have kids just to get insurance and stay at home to get a check need to quit being a burden on Society and get a job. Universal healthcare is not the answer, we need to keep the government out of as much stuff as we can, cuz everything they get their hands on they mess up, and it ends up costing twice as much.

Answer 7

I would prefer out-of-pocket or self-insured. it might bring down the high cost of health care because the "lowest-bidder" HMO won't be getting anymore Uncle Sam tax dollars, thus lowering the individual's own taxes.
Strange how those who profess to believe in evolution and survival of the fittest want to tax the hearty to care for those who they believe should drop out of the gene pool

Answer 8

One of the definitions of Civilization is that the Community looks after people who can't look after themselves. Presently the Community is represented by the Government. It would save hundreds of billions if the Government negotiated reasonable prices with the pharmaceutical industry instead of the racket that's going on.

Answer 9

everyone would not be so much for the universal if insurance was lower priced. insurance would be lower priced if not for doc's price gouging them.

if we go to universal, we will have a higher disability and death rate and a younger age.

why? because we will be waiting to see a general practicioner for around 3 months and specialists for around 6 months.

death example:
a general doc sees signs of a critical disease, such as cancer...they recommend you to see a specialist...you wait 6 months for a specialist to even test you for anything and you could be dead by then.
disability example:
you are having signs of a small muscle injury, you make a dr. appointment and wait 3-4 months. by then, you have been using your leg, arm, or whatever to the regular extent. well you go to the dr and by then, you have caused permanent damage to the limb and are now considered to be disabled.

Answer 10

I'm not in favor of universal healthcare. I think that the ramifications of it would decrease its usefulness and make preventive medicine impossible.