Would Universal Healthcare be a monopoly?

Question

And aren't generally monopolies not the best thing for the public as a whole?

Answer 1

Yes it would be.

And to the answer saying that the police, firemen and such must be a monopoly also - thats not true. Those jobs were created by local communities then state goverments, not made mandatory by the federal goverment giving us no choices.

This country was created to be a nation of free individuals, within free communities, within free states and in that order. The federal goverment was only supposed to be there for defense and commerce.

Answer 2

No, actually, it is not a monopoly in any way...

But Insurance might be.

Do you remember when they broke apart AT&T?

It was discussed whether your phone is considered a utility or a luxury... they went with luxury and broke apart the company.

If it had been considered a utility, they still would have broken it up but the government would get a larger portion.

It's the same with Health care insurance... If you HAVE to have insurance to pay for it, you might as well just tax us...
And we can be like every other civilized nation in the world.

You might think it's too "controversial" as so many people have claimed (without seeing it first) but you might want to check out the film "Sicko" by Michael Moore...
All partisan politics aside, the documentary really does give you some information about socialized healthcare that you probably aren't aware of...

You are right about Monopolies not being the best... and when it boils down to 7 companies that own EVERYTHING... it's time to start taking a look at some amount of socialism to get the middle class back on their feet...

Even though that is considered a bad word to fat-cat republicans.

They try to equate socialism with communism and dictatorships to scare you... but Canada and France are not dictatorships... they are actually quite nice places to live.

Answer 3

Medical insurance companies conspiring with each other to keep prices ridiculously high and coverage as small as possible are ALREADY essentially a monopoly.

There is no reason that universal health care, properly administrated would not be a good thing. Keep in mind, there would be no single COMPANY involved. It would be basically a health PLAN available to all Americans. No single entity would profit from it. Therefore, no. It would not be a monopoly.

Do you work for a medical insurer or a pharmaceutical company?

Answer 4

Not necessarily. But that's what we are likely to get. the reason is simple: when it comes time to craft policies to reform our health care system (which MUST be done--its broken and getting worse) the ideas that are put in practice will be choosen from the ideas that have been "put on the table."

So far, we've gotten some ideas from the Democrats (liberals). some are good. Some are crap. But--so far--all we've gotten from the conservatives (GOP) is political rhetoric and ideoloigical rants aboutthe evils f socialism. but no alternative proposals.

So--the proponents of a more socialized health-care system are going towin by default. Because, as I said, the system must be reformed--and when people need medical care, they will take what's available--and some right-wing political slogans will not matter when they or their children need medical care.

The conservatives don't want socialized medicine? Fine--neither do I, and I am more or less liberal. But if we all get stuck with it, it will be the fault of the conservatives. it is time to stop sitting on the bench making smart remarks. Dust off your cleats, pick up a bat, and GET IN THE GAME. We need ideas, not slogans. So get busy.

Answer 5

I don't think so if it's done carefully. We, as a nation, pay more for health care than any other developed nation in the world and yet more than 40 million people in this country are not covered by health insurance. This fact alone should provide the grease for implementing rules governing the establishment of Universal Health Care, without creating a monopoly. It's already being done in the Veteran's Administration.
If a provider, say of pharmaceuticals sells at a lot price for their product, then they must sell the same product to the Veteran's Administration at that same low cost.
Now pharmaceutical company's sell their products overseas at a much lower price than we in the United States are required to pay. That's the dig!
Thanks

Answer 6

Some things are best done by private enterprise; some things are best done by government.

Let's see, I can't imagine a private Coast Guard, or Air Force or Fire Department for that matter.

For the past 80 years the US health care system has been for the most part managed by private enterprise:

The Record?

1. Neonatal Mortality: World rank 26th; Spending on
neonatal medicine: World rank 1st.

2. Cardiovascular disease Outcomes : World Rank 39th
Spending: 1st

3. Cancer outcomes (overall): World Rank 35th
Spending: 1st

I see a pattern here. How's our system working out?

Answer 7

I guess the police, fire, post office, school systems, and roads are all monopolies then. Actually, governments are supposed to get involved, if the private corporations are driving prices too high so that nobody can afford it. Hmmm, sounds like the current healthcare system. I think the government needs to step in and put all the health insurance companies into check. Maybe not completely take it over, but it is definietley out of control. That probably won't happen though because the healthcare industry has bought off every major politician. Even Hillary.

Answer 8

depends on how you do it, but no, it wouldn't be a monopoly.

the best system would be single payer, which means that you can go where you want, doctors and hospitals would have to compete, but the money comes from the same place, they bill the government, not you.
monopolies have to be private corporations. you could say that the US army or federal government is a monopoly because they have no competition, but they are not, because they are not private businesses.

Answer 9

No they would not, and where did you come up with that. They are all regulated already! Business doesn't seem to have a problem with monopolies! We are just tired of the medical industry screwing us out of our money. The head of a health insurance company, of which there are hundreds, does not need to make $14 MILLION a year plus perks by routinely denying medical coverage to members!

Answer 10

no, because there would be the gov. health care system, then there would be private companies that would practice health care. Look at it like education, there is public school or private school. You can go to which ever one you want, but one will cost more and probably be better.