Can anyone ethically justify our current health care system?

Question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AifR7i4HApv9I__aXoHjCT7sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071123090648AAOu9QH

So I asked an ethical question; and everyone responded to it with the cliche "Socialized medicine won't work" answers. My question now is simple: can anyone ethically justify a society whose health care is based on HMOs?

Remember this current system isn't a system based on choice: you don't get to choose your doctors or procedures, the HMO gets to.

Also, this system may provide better service (something debatable), but that quality is unequally distributed.

Any ethical reasons that we, as a society, should keep the current system? Let's hear them, I'm really interested.

I'm glad to see everyone jumped on the socialized medicine wagon again. I didn't mention that in my question: this is purely an ethical question. I give more credit to American ingenuity than to think that our only options are the current 'unethical' system and socialized medicine.

To start working on a third option, however, we need to recognize the status quo for what it is: I haven't seen one societal ethic reason for keeping the current system. Some personal ethical reaons (my family comes first) that don't address the questions. So once again:

Should society keep the current health care system that prioritizes cutting costs over providing care?

Just to get some facts straight- 16% of Americans lack health care coverage. Not 4%. According to the U.S. Census Bureau. Lies weaken your argument.

Once again, ethically is there any justification for a system in which 16% of the population do not have health care and 33% of those that do are not adequately cared for?

Can't we all agree that maybe if American's worked on it, we could develop a solution that cares for our fellow citizens adequately but does not have any of the harms of government regulation in its worst forms?

Sluggy is the only person to give an ethical reason why any form of government regulation is bad. Kudos to him, now if American's could learn how to answer hard questions.

Answer 1

More medical discoveries are made in America than any other country in the world. No, the American health system is NOT perfect, but nor is it here in Canada where we have universal health care. Toronto was affected by SARS far worse than any other city in North America (to my knowledge) because our health system is just so shitty here.

From my own libertarian point of view, forcing people to pay money for health coverage goes against the human right of freedom. Some people just don't like the idea of coverage and instead believe in paying for surgeries/etc when they come to that... why deny them the right to choose?

Answer 2

Our health care system is not "based on HMO's." I do not have an HMO - and I choose which doctor or hospital to visit when necessary. Expensive to cover such service with insurance? You bet it is - simply because the service itself is very expensive to provide.
Any one who thinks that the government can better regulate, distribute, produce or control our means of production - including health care - should try and explain how the United States has become arguable the best nation on earth in a little over two hundred years under a private ownership, capitalistic system while other large, socialist nations have failed miserably.
Our present system isn't perfect by any means - but we certainly don't need to take an ax to a concern that needs only a scalpel.
As an added note, it is very deceptive when one bases the argument on how many people don't have health insurance because that is not the same as asking how many people don't have access to health care.

Answer 3

I'm not too knowledgeable on American health care. However when I lived in the U.S. the health care system was fine. Our insurance covered everything, we had no problems, etc. I know every case is different. In order to make everyone happy maybe we should have a two-tier system (I.E. People making under the poverty line get "free" health care. But then what about the people who actually work hard for their money?) Because if you actually look at this 45 million people uninsured. I forgot some of the statistics but the one that I clearly remember are 15 million of them are uninsured, 8 million of them make $80,000 or more and 10 million never renewed their policies. I didn't make this up it's on the government website.

But in your case I think you believe that the American Health Care System is terrible. Now try to imagine the government putting their hands on everything. Remember everything the government touches falls into bits and pieces. I should know, Canada has a terrible health care system.

Answer 4

If you think an HMO is bad, wait until you get a load of Government run medicine. You won't get to chose your doctors under a government run program either. Are you people so naive to think you will get the excellent care you get today? That is a joke and anyone who has had to deal with Military medicine or the VA will tell you what a joke it is. HMO is bad, but luckily it is better than any government ran program. I do not use HMO's I'm lucky enough to not have to. The medical care program is not broke. The insurance companies is what is broke. You need to focus on the real problem and not create a bigger disaster out of stupidity and ignorance.

Answer 5

Unfortunately our current system is not a truly free market health care system. Government regulations are strangling the health care marketplace and making health care far more expensive than it would be if we had a free market. So no, I cannot ethically justify the level which government interferes in health care. If you would like more information check out the CATO Institute at the link below.

Answer 6

Yes - the best and most medical advances in the world - that save more lives everyday - are available in the US! There's a reason why ill people from around the world come to the US to seek care! Also, I think the US medical certification system is top notch as technically every doctor I've ever gone to in the US has been very good. I doubt I could say that about many doctors in other countries. Peace

Answer 7

Based on the fact that 96% of Americans currently are covered by health care and are happy with it, you want to scrap the whole system for the 4% that are not covered?

Thats the same arguement of failure and doom expressed over the housing market 98% of all mortgages are being paid on time 2% are in default.

The liberal left wants everyone to feel like the sky is falling. Their tatics of fear and class warfare are laughable when faced wit these undisputed facts.

Answer 8

I haven't heard a single argument that doesn't either:
a) run down universal health care
b) invoke social darwinism or eugenics
c) point out that Michael Moore is fat.

The fact is that our system stinks. There is a great system north of the border, but to implement a similar one would cost too many influential people too much money.

There ae many exmples of this trade between people and profit: generic drugs from Canada, alternative energy, et al.

It's sick.

Answer 9

Yes. I work -- hard -- to pay my healthcare premiums so that my family has access to the most advanced healthcare system in the world. I feel that because I work hard, my family should receive preferential treatment over illegal aliens and people on welfare. Sorry, but from where I stand, my family comes first, and Michael Moore is fat.

Answer 10

From a recent experience with a family member, a 3 day stay in the hospital for a heart attack should not cost $37,000.

We need AFFORDABLE health care!!