Nurses General Nursing
Published Sep 26, 2007
30 members have participated
SteveNNP, MSN, NP
1 Article; 2,512 Posts
Hi all,
I am currently in the middle of a health and social policy grad class, and we've been discussing the issue of national health insurance for several weeks now. The teacher seems quite biased, with heavy emphasis on promoting a single-payer system. Personally I believe that an overhaul of the current system with improvements, such as tax rebates inversely related to income with which the uninsured can purchase their own health insurance plans. I do not believe in health insurance as a "right" of citizenship. I believe it is a "product" that can be earned/bought. To mimic the single payer health insurance programs of other countries would result in new problems, such as having to wait months for non-emergent procedures such as hip replacements.....Please respond to the poll, as well as leaving your comments.
I understand that this is a controversial topic, however I would love to get an idea of what others think.
Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN
11,304 Posts
Hi all, I am currently in the middle of a health and social policy grad class, and we've been discussing the issue of national health insurance for several weeks now. The teacher seems quite biased, with heavy emphasis on promoting a single-payer system. Personally I believe that an overhaul of the current system with improvements, such as tax rebates inversely related to income with which the uninsured can purchase their own health insurance plans. I do not believe in health insurance as a "right" of citizenship. I believe it is a "product" that can be earned/bought. To mimic the single payer health insurance programs of other countries would result in new problems, such as having to wait months for non-emergent procedures such as hip replacements.....Please respond to the poll, as well as leaving your comments.I understand that this is a controversial topic, however I would love to get an idea of what others think.
Wow, we need you! . . . . there are quite a few threads here related to this.
https://allnurses.com/forums/f112/edwards-backs-mandatory-preventive-care-246810.html
https://allnurses.com/forums/f195/clinton-unveils-new-health-care-plan-249876.html
https://allnurses.com/forums/f287/controversial-michael-moore-flick-sicko-will-compare-u-s-health-care-cubas-220623.html
https://allnurses.com/forums/f100/clinton-obama-anybody-else-who-will-best-defend-healthcare-247759.html
I agree with your post.
EmmaG, RN
2,999 Posts
To mimic the single payer health insurance programs of other countries would result in new problems, such as having to wait months for non-emergent procedures such as hip replacements
http://www.pnhp.org/facts/what_is_single_payer.php
bethin
1,927 Posts
I'm a bit out of the loop on this. Too busy with school to watch the news. My question is, by purchasing our own insurance plans, are you talking about the govt providing rebates so we can pay our premiums for say, anthem? Or are you talking about govt programs only and we can choose how much coverage we have? My biggest bone to pick with insurance: denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. I know insurance companies main goals are to make money, but isn't there a moral obligation as well? I'd like to think so.
As one who has mvp, crohn's, and paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, and chf (all at the precious age of 27) it was extremely difficult and very expensive for me to receive coverage. I actually had to sign a statement that I would not receive care for my heart problems. How sad is that? I basically had 2 choices - agree or go without health insurance that I desperately needed. I still keep this private insurance even at ~$300/month and I don't pick up my employer's insurance for several reasons: they don't pay out of network and our hospital is very very small and if I were to get sick and have to quit my job (it's happened before) I would have no health insurance. Oh, and my parents have to pay my monthly premiums because on $10 an hour, $300/month is about a 1/3 of my monthly income - and that's working full time. Not to mention I have to pay $90 a week for one medicine and $50 for each of my other meds. I can spend an entire paycheck at the pharmacy.
Sorry for the rant.