Why are so many opposed to Universal Health Care?

Question

I've noticed alot of stereotypes about countries with Universal Health care are awfully incorrect (ie: 9 months in Canada to have an MRI.... ya it doesn't work that way lol).

Usually the only problems in countries with Universal Health coverage is that its not fully funded (like in Canada... because Provinces fund it and not the Feds.. it differs from place to place). I think perhaps many should actually educate themselves on the matter as opposed to simply listening to mind numbing ignorance. What do you think?

Answer 1

People buy into the propaganda spread by the lobbyists and the AMA who oppose universal health care.

Answer 2

You should start by educating yourself on universal health care. It would be horrible for this country. The quality of doctors would go down significantly. Just try visiting a doctor in England or Canada compared to the United States and the differences would be obvious.
The middle class would end up getting screwed in the long run as they could not afford private insurance. Have you ever visited the Health Department? because that's how every doctor's office would be under universal health care.

Answer 3

Just reading the answers to this question makes me shudder at the ignorance of the average American.

Living where I do, in Canada, I'm grateful that I don't need to worry that I won't get treatment because of an insurance company or H.M.O. trying to jack up its profits. I make a good, middle-class income, and I would be living in fear if I were to live in an American-style health care system.

Every scarce resource is rationed, and health care is no different. In the U.S., health care is rationed by the ability to pay. If you're rich, the U.S. is a great place to be sick. If you're middle-class or working poor, it's not so great. In Canada treatment is based on need and not ability to pay, but the end result is that for some forms of treatment, you need to wait. Generally speaking, if something's life-threatening, you get treated very quickly. I had a detached retina, and from the time I saw my opthalmologist (his secretary gave me an appointment for the same day I called when I explained the symptoms; normally his waiting list goes on for several months). I was scheduled for surgery the next day. A detached retina can lead to blindness. I was relieved that my doctor did not have to dicker with an insurance company and that I wasn't looking at some massive "copay."

I often read the argument on Yahoo Answers, usually made by some American, that "I don't want to pay for other people's health care." The reality is, you are doing so now, you're just not doing it with tax dollars. Insurance companies work on spreading risk--you might be sick and therefore a drain on the insurance company's profits, but other people stay healthy and their premiums are, in a sense, "wasted" as far as they're concerned since they're not using them. This principle works even better if the health care system is paid for by tax dollars, as the risk is spread over a greater population. The bigger the base you can draw premiums or tax dollars from, the more likely that your system will be financially viable. No insurance company has the resources that government has.

People do go from Canada to the U.S. for treatment if they're impatient, in the relatively rare case of the treatment not being available, or in the relatively rare case in which treatment is available but the condition is life-threatening and the waiting list in Canada is too long. What's new about that? People with money will generally go where they want to get what they want.

The only time health care really frightens me is if I'm going to the U.S. and have to buy health care insurance for my stay. The idea of being at the mercy of that damaged, irrational, ridiculous system makes me shudder as I pony up the dollars for coverage.

Answer 4

First problem, it's hugely expensive. Even at the most efficient, people would still see an increase in taxes to pay for it. Especially since the rate of people going to the doctor will increase.

Second problem, many govt-sponsored programs tend to attract the least common denominator for services. Meaning that what we do get will possibly be bottom of the barrel in terms of quality.

Third problem, it's one more government program where the govt takes our money and decides what to spend it on.

Answer 5

I oppose universal health care because I already pay for mine and will not pay for yours.

If you want health coverage get a job with that benefit or go out a get it yourself.

Stop asking for people that do not know you to act like your mother and father and take care of you.

Answer 6

Cleveland OH is the Canadian joint replacement center where Canadians are sick of waiting. You're right its not 9 months is 12-14 weeks, how about 20% of those diagnosed with colon cancer in the UK will be dead before they can get the treatment they need. I think you are the one who does not understand what Americans are used to and what we will and will not tolerate. If we fully funded it to be like we have it now the tax burden would break our economy in two.

Answer 7

you are so right, now go and get educated and know what you are talking about before you post it on this forum, if universal health is so great why do Canadians come to America for medical care, it damned sure is not cheaper, also most people don't want to pay for the welfare medical we would get, also have you even visited the local emergency room , it is full of illegals and drunk blacks hoping to get a fix, no thank you, I will choose our medical system,

Answer 8

Right on "azawalli"

To the nays of Universal Health Care

You who can afford your own health care In the U.S.A are the few fortunate. Do not think for a moment it is a free ride for the lower middle class and working poor; they also pay taxes which go into the Health Care pot. A small amount of taxation is much harder on the lower middle class and working poor than Upper middle class and higher.

For those of you who oppose Universal Health Care say get educated, expand your own horizons and study the benefits as well as the drawbacks.

Canada has some of the best Doctors and Health Care facilities in the world. One example is The World renown Sick Children's Hospital in Toronto which has made many ground breaking discoveries for numerous illnesses and treatment.

Discovery of a critical role for sensory nerves in diabetes opens door to new treatment strategies
LINK to above article
http://www.sickkids.ca/mediaroom/custom/diabetesopen06.asp

Researchers redefine understanding of variation in the human genome
LINK to above article
http://www.sickkids.ca/mediaroom/custom/genomevariation06.asp

Canadian scientists lead international autism genome discoveries
Autism-causing genes linked to a special group of neurons
TORONTO – Researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and the Offord Centre for Child Studies have led an international consortium in the discovery of a previously unidentified chromosomal region containing autism-causing genes. Their findings, part of the largest genome scan ever attempted in autism research, have just been published online in the prestigious journal Nature Genetics.
LINK to above article
http://www.sickkids.ca/mediaroom/custom/internatautismdis07.asp

Pablum - developed at Sick Children's Hospital in Toronto
During the 1920s and 1930s, considerable time and effort were spent studying the science of artificial feeding. The scientific management of child-rearing in general - from food to behaviour advice - increased the professional role and authority of physicians in child care issues. Society seemed to welcome the scientific approach to infant feeding and food and bought products that advertised increased nutritional value for their children. In 1931, Pablum, an infant cereal containing necessary minerals and vitamins for children's health, became available in Canada and the United States. The food was heralded as an excellent cereal addition to the infant's diet and remains a popular infant food today. It was three Canadian doctors - Frederick Tisdall (1893-1949), Theodore Drake (1891-1959), and Alan Brown (1887-1960) - who developed Pablum at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

Banting and Best - Insulin
Sir Frederick Banting and Dr. Charles Best are perhaps the most well-known Canadian medical figures. Their names are synonymous with the discovery of insulin at the University of Toronto in 1921-22. Insulin is a life-saving treatment for people suffering from diabetes, and it is hailed as one of the twentieth century's greatest medical discoveries. But the discovery of insulin was in fact a collaborative process; it was the result of a four-man research team - physician Frederick Banting, graduate student Charles Best, Professor of Physiology J.J.R. Macleod, and biochemist J.B. Collip.

Answer 9

i think of it is going to likely be yet another money pit for taxes to be dumped into, thats why i do no longer want standard healthcare. One length fits all mentality. it could be a lot nicer to get a tax destroy for procuring my own healthcare, that way i will opt for i want to be my insurance service and that i will have the skill to shop around. If there is in basic terms one million service provider of healthcare, they even have been given you purchase the ears. this is their way or the line. while, interior the loose industry, all human beings is in a position to furnish extra or extra useful service with a view to benefit shoppers, and amplify fee to their shoppers. For the individuals who declare the poor are being left in the back of, thats a farse. poor human beings have countless insurance attainable to them, countless public suggestions. standard healthcare isn't in basic terms for poor human beings.

Answer 10

since it is the only thing the self-serving Democrats have done
except whine..cry corruption..create subjective scandal
in over 20 years...you have to assume there is more to
it than meets the eye..and debate needs to produce an
end product before...anyone can responsibly advocate it.

Answer 11

i can't think of a single industry that the government decided to illegally get involved in that the prices in that industry declined. can you name one?