Can someone tell me what's wrong with universal health care?

Question

I mean why does it scare so many people? Isn't the luxury of knowing that you don't have to pay an arm and a leg (sorry for the pun) for health care more reassuring? Why do I see so many people claiming it is socialism/communism? Isn't it the right thing?
It has nothing to do with Hilary, or whoever the democratic candidate is. It has to do with insuring the American people, and keeping us healthy.
For those that say the government is not capable of providing this service, please cite some specific examples. I believe that the private sector doesn't want to insure EVERY American, or else they would make more of a concerted effort to include everyone (regardless of income level), they would quit denying claims to their customers, and wouldn't continuously persuade doctors not to see patients (or treat them in such manner to get them out of the hospital as sonn as possible).
As always please keep it respectful. This is a hot issue, and I really wish it wasn't politicized.

gcb-what are you talking about, elaborate?
The Awoke-Rich people don't deserve better health care, I agree.
Smellyfo-but isn't the "root" of the problem the system itself, the greed of the insurance companies (the biggest root), and our poor testing of new wonder drugs?
Captaino-So are you suggesting a combo of the two?
Midnitro-So you'll let someone pay fgor you and your family, but won't do the same? I rather pay for them than Iraqis
ScottB- thanks for the examples. Passports delays are a result of 9/11. Regardless if you don't rely on the gov't for those (none of them costs as much as health care), I'm sure you won't return your SSI check when it is time.
TampaLaw-So people w/o jobs don't deserve health care? What about those that do work (for like $10/hr) that can't afford it?
Neoman- I like where you're going with that.
Homeless-Isn't it more about increasing profit why those doctors are coming? here
AdamT-Exactly my point insurance execs are the only ones winning

Hagar-Who are you calling a liberal? You don't know me. No one said anything about raising taxes. We can use the money from Iraq, assuming we ever get out. No one raised taxes for that and we're in close to 500 billion. More than enough to get it done, with some left over for increasing Pell grants and other educational grants.

Answer 1

While I am in favor of some form of universal health care, the jury is still out as to the extent of coverage, etc. that should be provided. While Canadian and England's health care has been cited as plans as work, reviews are mixed at best.

I would be more incline to vote for basic coverage for children to insure vaccinations, screenings, etc. and a major medical for adults with a pre-set maximum out of pocket such as $5000. Additional coverage, if desired would be covered through private insurance or employers. Obviously the indigent and those with low income would need to be qualified to have some type of basic insurance other than major medical.

Answer 2

Problem with insurance is nobody even knows how much treatment even costs. If a single tylenol costs $49 we can drastically reduce the costs and provide free market insurance programs affordable for all Americans.
This is not a socialist country.
60% tax rates are not acceptable.

Who told you that raising taxes on the way into a recession is a good idea?

Where did you libs learn about how the economy works from...... Karl Marx??



Or even worse you will take the hundreds of billions annually needed for socialist health care from the military budget. bad idea.

Beside 500 billion in iraq for 5 years is not bad 500 billion is our annual military budget. looks like we're coming in way under budget.

Answer 3

There's no free lunch. So, if the government is going to provide health care to everyone they're going to have to pay for it. Which means they'll have to raise taxes. Many European countries with socialized medicine have 50%+ income tax rates. Y I K E S !

Also, in many other countries with socialized medicine compensation for doctors and funding for new technology has decreased causing the quality of care to drop. People travel to the United States from all over the world to have medical procedures done because we may be expensive, but we're pretty high quality.

And, in my experience, the federal government is often wasteful and inept at managing things. So, I don't want the federal government having anything to do with my health care.

We'd all be better of in a free market system assuming we all have jobs. But that's the real point here, isn't it? People without jobs want socialized medicine so those of us with jobs can pay for their medical care.

No, thanks.

Answer 4

Privatized health care is a market failure here in the US. Every western industrialized nation except the US uses some form of universal health care and they pay far less for a system that covers everyone.

What's wrong with universal health care? Well, everyone would be a lot healthier and for all the money that is currently spent on health care, we could cover everyone, not just some. Another downside is that there would be few less new luxury yachts purchased by health insurance executives.

Answer 5

Example one: Did you try to get a passport lately. The government couldn't even handle that, and this is the entity you want to your handle your healthcare? Besides, no one has been able to explain how it's going to work, how much more it will cost us in taxes, how long the lines for healthcare will be, etc... I don't rely on my government to feed, clothe, or house me, I don't rely on them for my health care or my finances (how about the example of social security?), but then I'm a responsible American.

Answer 6

The heads of the french governmental medical board are currently in the US trying to find a way to fix their program because it is broken. meanwhile we are trying to match what they have there. makes alot of sense huh

edit:

"No one raised taxes for that and we're in close to 500 billion. More than enough to get it done, "

according to the democrat led CBO under current situations medicare and medicaid alone will exceed 20 % GDP by 2050 which is more than the entire federal budget by them selves. and you think covering the entire country can be paid by the amount spent in Iraq? FOREVER. thats not even close to reality

http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/82xx/doc8255/06-21-HealthCareReform.pdf

Health Care Costs. The nation’s long-term fiscal balance will be determined
primarily by the future rate of health care cost growth. If health care costs continued
growing at the same rate over the next four decades as they did over the
past four decades, federal spending on Medicare andMedicaid alone would rise
to about 20 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2050—roughly the
share of the economy now accounted for by the entire federal budget

Answer 7

If you get sick you can go to the doctor for free! GREAT! If me and my entire family get sick you can pay for all 8 of us to go to the Dr. Even better!!! Sounds like a plan to me. I pay one price and get free health care for 8 people. You pay one price and get free health care for yourself and you pay for my family too. It just wont work. Who the HECK is going to pay for all of this???? But seriously, I have only been to the Dr ONE TIME in 7 years. Do you think I want to pay for a 2 million dollar cancer patients bill who won't quit smoking but needs treatment for the next 10 years he lives ??? Be honest. DO YOU WANT TO PAY IT???

Answer 8

I dont need the government involved in my health care. My doctors and I can handle it without the interference of the government.

Answer 9

You may not have to pay when you walk in the door to the hospital, but you are still paying for it. There are a myriad of problems in this country that cause health care and health insurance to be so expensive. Why do we have to cater to these problems with a new expansive social program? Why not fix the problems that are at the route of it all?

Answer 10

Ask the Canadians who routinely travel to the US so they don't have to wait months for routine operations. Or canadian doctors who are so fed up with the system they are moving to the US to practice or giving up medicine.