Why are people in our country trying to ruin the greatest health care system in the world?

Question

OK, it seems to me that many people in this country are pointing to Europe’s health care plans as a model for our own, yet I keep hearing about people from Europe coming HERE for their operations, because they fear their own nation’s health care!

Now, I will be the first to admit: Everyone in America SHOULD have access to health care. But if we nationalize our health care, won’t standards plummet, like in our Public Schools? Won’t the gov’t spend the money foolishly, like in Social Security? Do you REALLY want our government that practically ruins everything it touches, to be in charge of our HEALTH??

My father-in-law recently went to France for vacation, and strained his back carrying luggage. However, all the locals warned him to stay away from their hospitals, and wait until he got back to the US to get a good doctor.

How about, instead of the gov’t even TOUCHING our fantastic health care, we simply give money to those inneed so they can afford it? A tax credit for those who pay taxes, and an increase in welfare or unemployment for those who don’t make enough.

I can’t find many articles on it, but I found this guy who agrees that, if you can afford it, US health care is the best in the world:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/483557?src=mp

And this one about how Britain’s health care is declining:
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Health/Bad_Medicine.html

But neither are great sources.

So, Libs, how about instead of trying to change the greatest health care system in the world, why don’t we just make it affordable to all? After all, if we get rid of our great health care, where will rich Europeans go when they need operations?

Answer 1

Our health care system actually sucks pretty hard. By pushing pre-tax employer provided health care so hard, we've created a culture of entitlement, even among the dwindling work-ethic crowd.

If you work & have insurance, you don't pay for your health care, you may not even realize how much it's costing - and you 'pay' (pre-tax, with money you never see) the same however much you use, so, of course, you're not cost-conscious when it comes to choosing health care options.

If you're destitute, you go onto public health, and, again, you're not paying, so you don't have any incentive to be conscious of the cost.

The result has been predictable: balooning demand has driven up the cost of health care by 8% a year (vs 2-4% inflation).

Nationalized health care will have a similar effect. Everyone will demand all the services they could remotely use, and, providers will charge (the government) as much as they can for it. Either costs will skyrocket, or the government will clamp down on providers with irrational price controls and really screw it up.


The problem with the current insurance model is that it combines bad aspects of socialized medicine - excessive deman due to people not paying directly for the services they use - with bad aspects of private medicine - people who need services being unable to afford them, or unable to find a provider willing to service them.


Insurrance providers, it must be remembered, are in it for a proffit, and the way to make a proffit as an isurer is to write policies to people who don't need them, and not write them for people who do. With employer group insurance, that's not an option, so, much, but you can still overcharge most of the people in a group to cover the expenses of the few who may turn out to be really sick - then, as soon as you can, you dump those people.

Providers are notorious for that. As soon as you start filing claims heavily because you're finally seriously ill, they find a reason to dump you.

Answer 2

A $5000 tax credit is great- if you pay over $5000 in taxes. A family of four who is just scraping by doesn't. Trust me. So $5000 is a great number, but means absolutely nothing to those who really need it.

How about this: The government will subsidize medical school tuition in exchange for a contract to work at a government sponsored hospital. That's the military model. Tri-care works great.

Where are all of those Canadians flooding our borders for health care? Why, if we have "the greatest health care system in the world" do patients get denied the care they need? We can do better and we should do better.

Answer 3

There is no "greatest health care system in the world." Especially not in this country. This country doesn't have a "health care system." It is a privatized industry. You pay for insurance, and that is the only way to be able to afford medical care in this country.

I'm not saying nationalized health care is so great, but don't act like the U.S. has it all down. Our medical CARE is top-notch... if we can afford it. But we have no health care "system" in this country.

Answer 4

Spending on Social Security is foolish but putting a billion dollars into a 4 wheeler on Mars makes sense? While I don't really have an opinion on your question I take issue with what you consider foolish spending. We can help rebuild Lebanon but not assist the elderly in our own country? We waste more money in a year than it would take to make Social Security solvent for decades.

Answer 5

They come here because we have great doctors, not a great system. The system is as corrupt as any in the world. While I am not for universal health care, our healthcare system needs reform, as the uninsureed and abuse of the system costs Americans millions annually.

Answer 6

Making it affordable to all WILL be changing the "greatest health care system in the world". The way it stands now is that you have to be wealthy or have insurance to get decent medical care.
You can call our health care system "great" but I know way too many people who have gone without medical care because they can't afford it. If this is so easy to fix, why hasn't it been done yet?

Answer 7

Are you kidding me? Ask a veteran how the greatest health care system in the world is treating them.

Answer 8

Then why in the hell is everyone sueing our doctors to the point they can't afford to stay in business?

And no, I don't feel like giving more money to illegal aliens and people who refuse to work for a living, or do anything to better themselves besides sitting around with their hand out.

Answer 9

you are absolutely correct in saying that rich eruos come here for treatment. libs need to say away from health care for they will destroy it with their socialist ways. thank god hillarycare was a dismal failure!!!

we need to keep the govt OUT of health care. you know, if you live in euorpe, you do something to your eye, they dont fix it because you have TWO! your chances are greater of dying of cancer or other diseases than they are in the US. they dont believe in preventative medicine, will make you wait weeks or months before seeing a specialist so you will prob die first, and their equipment is antiquated. they do not use the latest and best drugs for disease either. relatives, americans, who live in england are my source.

Answer 10

Are you referring to the same healcare system that makes people wait 12 or more hours before seeing a doctor in an emergency room?