What do you think of the idea of providing people with universal health coverage in the U.S.?

Question

It sounds good, but is it really? People think it is free, but it is not. It is paid by the taxes we pay and they would have to be raised enormously to pay for it. A friend of mine who lives in Canada, was having chest pains and went to a doctor. The doctor said he needed heart surgery. He was put on a waiting list. They thought they could get him in six months. He had a heart attack and that moved him up on the waiting list and he had the operation right away.

Answer 1

I think socialized medicine is a bad idea on all fronts. I think if people really understood how bad health care would get, or if they expected the service they get now, the tax burden would crush them. I think there is just a whole bunch of stupid going around in those that think this is a good idea.

Answer 2

Though the thought of it makes everyone feel good and think finally life will be better. The results of it would be completely opposite! In Canada, where they have universal health care, people die waiting to see a specialist. They're taxes are horribly high and their current health care systems is failing and bankrupt. That is what would happen here. They would keep raising taxes to cover the cost, but the cost would never get covered. Our current health care system, though flawed, creates some of the most brilliant minds in medicine today because it is open to competition. The insurance companies are the ones destroying our current system. When you think about it, has anyone ever heard of an insurance company going bankrupt!!? NO! So instead of trying to control Doctors and Hospitals, why not have REAL insurance reform!! There are ways for them to still operate with profit without gouging the system and the people. That is what we need to fix! Not provide Universal Health Care. It is socialistic and would destroy what is left of this country!

Answer 3

The way I see it, the current system is the best in the world for fixing what ails you. Currently, the highest estimate is around 40 million people who lack coverage of any kind. Since that means that 260 million are already adequately covered, we should only be looking at those 40 million that are not.

Who are they and why are they not covered? Are some of them extremely wealthy and don't want or need coverage? Are some of them young and don't want to spend the money on coverage they don't feel they need? Are some of the self employed and cannot afford individual coverage? These problems seem solvable without destroying the current system.

Since truly poor people are covered by Medicaid I wonder how many people are not covered that could be if they could get assistance with the premiums. Mitt Romney instituted such a plan in Massachusetts and has successfully gotten insurance coverage for every resident. It can be done on a state by state basis using the current insurance type system.

If we eliminate the illegal aliens that load up the emergency rooms passing the costs on to the hospitals who pass them on to our insurance companies who pass them on to us, that would certainly help. If we provide a little tort reform so doctors can get malpractice insurance at a reasonable rate that would help, too.

I would like to see coverage for every American but I do not want a socialist style plan like Canada or England. It should not involve the Federal Government at all. But each state might receive assistance to immplement plans providing such plans help reduce costs. Most likely, if everyone who seeks medical aid has insurance, the costs will come down.

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Answer 4

There are serious problems with a profit-driven health system, but it doesn't seem like any of these problems are really addressed by the universal insurance proposals floating around now. The other problem is the size and scope of America, and trying to build a system that accomodates 330 million people is NOT precedented in existing universal coverage systems. Because of the rampant corruption and inefficiency of federal government, no other nation's success at universal coverage can be considered an example of what we can expect.

I like competition and I like helping those in need, so how about a compromise? Instead of trying to push a single system by which the drug & insurance companies and hospitals can buy favors from federal politicians, how about state-by-state public plans and then we can see who builds the best system? The states that get it right will attract internal immigration, businesses, and can also serve as an example to the states who didn't get it right.

If we put all our eggs in the one federal basket, its going to be a disaster - no doubt in my mind.

Answer 5

It's well past time for universal basic care. One of the major stumbling blocks has always been that proponents have always wanted it to be fair. Full and unrestricted health care might cost over a quarter trillion dollars a year extra, but there's no reason we couldn't decide on what we can afford, pay for that, and leave those who are currently uninsured to fend for themselves in those areas that aren't covered, while still allowing others to buy extra healthcare. That would require some compromise from both sides, but there's no reason it couldn't be done.

Answer 6

Universal healthcare will ensure that ALL Americans have access to healthcare services. How could that ever be a bad thing? Sure, it will mean that taxes will be allocated for everyone...but hey, your taxes are now going to a civil war in a foreign land. Or for road repairs. Which, do you think, is more important?

As for your Canadian friend's experience...if they had the money, they could have travelled to the US for a fee for service surgery. But I'm assuming he didn't have the money for that. So in the American system, he would never have received that surgery. There are all kinds of stories about waiting for services in Canada, but I can tell you from experience that the horror stories are few and far between, and anyone truly requiring care will receive it. And it far surpasses the notion of foregoing treatment because you can't afford it...

Answer 7

As long as the Republicans have something to do with it there will be no national health coverage in the U.S.

Remember we are a capitalist government. We look to make money without spending too much and a health care system is not going to happen during this Republican administration.

It is not only health care...it is also energy, environment, drug reform, and other areas that would benefit the whole of the country that you will not see happening. The Republicans try to keep the money up high for the rich and big conglomerates.

Answer 8

What I'd like to see is some kind of catastrophic care mechanism that everyone contributes to and available and affordable insurance for less costly procedures and exams.

Answer 9

Who do you know that is dumb enough to think that universal health care would be free? Secondly, who told you that universal health care would be the only option available to you? You could still by supplemental insurance similar to what's offered to medicare patients.

Answer 10

TANSTAAFL

"There ain't no such thing as a free lunch"

ANd "universal" health care would be the costliest social program this country has ever seen.

No, not a good idea.