Health: a private business or a human right?

Question

I read that the health service in USA was considered at a low level by the world health org., worse than in Costa Rica, even if the USA medical research is at the top. Maybe because in USA health is considered a private business and not a human right and a public service, like, e.g., in Europe. What do you think of it? Do you think that things are going to change or the private interest of ensurance companies will still prevail in the USA government politics?

Yes, it costs money, StingRay, that's why it should be right to pay taxes for it and have a free service when it needs. That should be the sense of living in a comunity, like a nation should be (which other sense has a state?). Anyway taxes over alcoholics or tobacco could be increased to get a better health service.

Fretochose, are you sure that to be sick or injured in an accident is always a fault? Is it a new theory to distinguish between bad and good people?

Answer 1

Well said katie30. I don't think people should have to pay extra for health-care, its good that its included in taxes, because then you're definitely covered. The health service is reasonably good in the UK in my opinion and we probably don't have to wait much longer than Americans with insurance. And to the person who said that our health is our own business, somethings happen to our bodies that aren't our fault and we shouldn't have to pay extortionate money just to survive.

Answer 2

That's a tough call, for several reasons. First, private industry, if there is competition and proper oversight and regulation, always does better than anything the government can do. Bureaucracies just can't or won't react to demands like the private sector can. To me, that's a strong reason to stay private. Next, where do you draw the line defining what's necessary, and what's frivolous. Do you want your health tax dollars to play for breast implants, hair transplants, or face lifts? What about erectile disfunction drugs for guys over 50, for example? What about women who want to be mothers when they're in their 50's or even 60's? Do you want it to go for childbirth in families that already have 4, 6, or 8 kids? Should it pay for abortions? What about long term care for people who smoke 3 packs a day, or don't bother to exercise, or take care of themselves? A lot of the costs in health care today goes towards malpractice insurance. Twenty years ago, my dentist paid about $1000 for malpractice insurance. Five years later, it was up to $5000, I think. I don't even want to know what it is today. This is because people want to sue for things that they blame on the doctor, because the doctor and the hospital have loads of money, they think. Guess what - YOU are paying those suits, in the form of higher health costs. Remember that the next time you hear about someone who gets a multi million dollar settlement because they had something go wrong. Personally, I'd like to see some sort of tiered system, where healthy behavior gets rewarded by lower premiums. If you lose weight, you get a reduction in your premiums, or maybe a rebate. Keep it off for a year or three, and get another rebate. Quit smoking, ditto. But if you get caught smoking, then you owe that rebate money back, or you lose the part of your coverage that insures you for lung disease, say. And if you have an accident when you weren't wearing your seatbelt, then you're not covered, or your deductible goes to $10-20,000.

Answer 3

It is one of the things US should consider but not use the British model. I think health care payments should be made separate form taxation on a Income tax basis and ring fenced by law. Much of the problem with the HS in UK stems from government interference in something it does not understand, each political party when it comes into power changes the rules. I have a feeling that the Canadian health financial system is a better one

Answer 4

If we gave healthcare away, it would suck for everyone 100% of the time not just the folks who don't have health insurance. Most (if not all) Emergency Rooms take patients without insurance. Besides over 40% of the people who don't have it, have full time jobs and opt out of health insurance... they're not all poor starving homeless people. Money doesn't grow on trees as yet and I'd pay $25 (or even more) for a good doctor who can see me this week than wait 4 months and die while trying to see a FREE doctor.

Answer 5

don't know much about USA health care cos I'm in the UK. but my opinion is health care is a basic human right and besides, we pay hefty taxes on food, alcohol, cigarettes and wages, council tax so its only right we get treatment and operations on the nhs. its the tax payer paying for the service, therefore we are actually paying for our health treatment, which is why it annoys me that some parts of the country are refusing to operate on smokers. smokers are penalised more than anyone financially, and i'm sure what they pay on taxes through ciggies will be a damn sight more than if they went private.

Answer 6

Human right in a free society We are one of three that do not have that and the two others are 3rd world countries.

Answer 7

Human right hands down.
In America, there are too many greedy CEOs who don't give a care about their people. You should know that by now.

Answer 8

Healthcare costs money. Would You expect a free car?

Answer 9

health is personal responsibility
should you chose to pass that responsibility to a healthcare provider, expect to pay for it.

smoke, do alcohol, do other drugs, drink soda, eat refined foods, snacks, never feed or rest your body properly and you pay..either in ill health or cash...why should taxpayers foot the bill??

Answer 10

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