Is socialized healthcare in our future?

[msummar_smc]

Hi all! I just wanted to post a general question about the socialization of healthcare. Does anyone think it may happen in our lifetimes (or maybe in the next 10-20 years)? I follow politics very closely and the back-and-forth between the republicans and democrats on this topic is very odd. They have 2 completely different viewpoints, but act very differently in their actions. For instance, Bush is against socialization ... but he does not want to 'validate' the practice of advance practice nurses which would keep costs down.

Back to the question: Does anyont think it may happen in our lifetimes?

This post is not intended to be flamed ... I just want to here from other like-minded folks with the same career goals. Would it affect the scope of CRNA's practice or compensation levels?

[user69]

I think that the right to sue is important, and if you are going to sue for punitive damages it need to be for an amount that will impact the ones at fault. But If the punitive judgment went into a fund for either the support of the government or for directed social programs you will eliminate so many of the frivolous suits. The legal system should not be used as a lottery for unscrupulous individuals. This should in no way impact the way actual damages are derived.

[Roland]

A veryation of this situation already exists with vaccinations. There is National, Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund, created by Congress which requires that anyone injured by a vaccine to FIRST seek compensation through this program (I believe that it also offers limited liability protection for the manufacturers of vaccines). This was instituted because the profit margin is so low on vaccines (relative to the liability risk) that Congress was concerned that without such a program that there wouldn't be enough vaccines produced (the CDC also maintains the VAERS or Vaccine, Adverse, Event, Reporting, System which doctors are required to report to by law). I would argue that in certain medical subspecialties that a similar situation exists, and that they are in need of this type of protection.