Do You Want Universal Healthcare?

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I know this topic has been discussed before on this site..but, I was curious for an updated response. How many of you would be willing to pay more taxes for universal healthcare? I find it egregious that the US has put a cost on maintaining/saving ones life! I traveled to Europe and the thought of them having to bring their checkbook to the hospital aroused literal laughs. It's the same notion that we'd have to whip out our debit card to firefighters before they turned the hoses on our burning homes. It's sad. I think the overall costs of UH would be beneficial...in fact, the raised taxes would still probably be lower than our rising premiums every 2 weeks! Thoughts?

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I am just saying that I don't mind my tax dollars going to help those less fortunate, whether it is their fault or not. I HAVE been a mom on welfare that was not paying health care taxes and still was getting well cared for by the system. Now I have a job and now it is my turn to pay for others. For me it is not enough that my family gets the care they need, everyone has that right. There is no excuse for people to be dying because some insurance guru has decided they are not worthy because of their net worth. Poor people have just as much value.

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NursStudent1980 writes: "As it's already been stated, this whole issue boils down to one simple question... do you feel healthcare is a human right, or simply a service for sale by a business"

When did health care become a right? I thought it was an individual responsibility extended to family and community. Is there that much social fragmentation that the stinking government has to step in and fix what business can't?

The notion of Universal healthcare is a noble aspiration but it is not a right. Rights do not require another persons services, that would be servitude. How can anyone justify that?

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NO!

We will pay more in taxes now, and have lower quality. Is there any government run social program that better performs the private sector?? Look at many public schools and government housing. The government is too inefficient, too much bureaucracy.

Right now hospitals are competing for our business. Thus, hospitals take an interest in customer service and new and improved medical treatment. I can only imagaine the customer service of a government run facility with no other option to turn to.

The government can not be sued. Although lawsuits in the healthcare system have gotten out of hand, it does provide a check and balance for real malpractice.

Also, I see a lot of uninsured receive quality medical care.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

ok, so if you don't think health care is a right could you look in the eyes of a mom with a sick child and say" Sorry, your child has no right to life saving treatment because I don't think your child deserves it"? Just because she isn't driving a Rolls?

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So if some poor hard working sod is faced with a $500, 000 doctors bill he can't pay he is just being lazy?

Loriangel14, dear lady, the two are not the same.

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ok, so if you don't think health care is a right could you look in the eyes of a mom with a sick child and say" Sorry, your child has no right to life saving treatment because I don't think your child deserves it"? Just because she isn't driving a Rolls?

All ready answered that, family and/or community are the fall backs, not the rest of the nation. Are there exceptions? Sure and groups like the Shriners, Rotary, etc. can offer help there. State governments also have safety net programs to help the young and disabled.

Not trying to be heartless just realistic.

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The price of universal health care goes far beyond a rise in taxes. I have universal health care and my daughter waited 9 months for a MRI to Dx for MS before she could start treatment. sometimes the wait is a death sentence, especially for people with Cancers etc... and many people are of the misconception that universal health care also means fee medication. Not so!!! My daughter also paid $600.00 per month out of pocket and had 80% personal coverage. we get no free drugs and have to carry insurance coverage just the same as you do.

Thanks

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Specializes in Emergency/ Critical Care.
NursStudent1980 writes: "As it's already been stated, this whole issue boils down to one simple question... do you feel healthcare is a human right, or simply a service for sale by a business"

When did health care become a right? I thought it was an individual responsibility extended to family and community. Is there that much social fragmentation that the stinking government has to step in and fix what business can't?

The notion of Universal healthcare is a noble aspiration but it is not a right. Rights do not require another persons services, that would be servitude. How can anyone justify that?

am I mistaken or is every american citizen not entitled to public education? and where I am from, healthcare IS a right of everyone in the country

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Tax bill for Canadians:

  • The average Canadian family faced a tax bill of $38,992 in 2007, against an income of $83,775.
  • Total taxes imposed on the average family consumed an astonishing 46.5 percent of income.
  • Average families hand over nearly half of their income to Canadian governments.

Wow, pretty serious socialism there...

Source:

Veldhuis, N. and Palacios, M. (2008). Income taxes just a fraction of canadians' total tax bill.

Fraser Institute, May 2008. Retrieved 21JUL08 from http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?

Article_ID=16814

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Specializes in Emergency/ Critical Care.

I noticed you plan on working in the ER. Having worked ER at some point in my career, I can tell you that the patients you see there and the incredible level of irresponsibility and abuse you will see will amaze you, and make you wish you could just "not" see your hard-earned money go to pay for these people's expenses.

although I am new to the nursing world, I am not new to healthcare. I am currently an addictions worker at the hospital here, so I am familiar with the patients you refer to. I still feel that everyone deserves care whether it be an addict, a poor person, or a diabetic who refuses to control their condition. Substance abuse treatment is also covered by the government health care plan here, and I have NO problem with that. Do I wish less of my money went to fund the welfare system? yes Do I wish less of it went to fund the healthcare system? Absolutely not!

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am I mistaken or is every american citizen not entitled to public education? and where I am from, healthcare IS a right of everyone in the country

Entitled vs. legislated...nope, no entitlement, it is a requirement that the government foisted upon the citizenship for noble reasons...and the imposed system has major shortcomings, financial problems, and is a political nightmare. Your analogy, not mine.

(By the way, "American" has a capitol "A")

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I agree with treedoc healthcare may not be a right, but human life is highly valued. More often then not, people who are insured or unisured get life saving treatment all the time. There is no need to have governement run healthcare and compromise healthcare of the entire country.

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