Do You Want Universal Healthcare?

Published

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?

I don't understand where you get the reference that this is a "holly rollers battle". I don't believe in "God" persay and feel no alliegence to people based on my religious preferences or lack there of. It doesn't take religion to make someone think that universal healthcare is a good choice.

FWIW, I am a pagan of sorts and my husband is a die hard athiest and we both feel very strongly that Universal Healthcare is the way to go. You don't have to agree, but to assume that its a religious movement is a fallicy. Religion doesn't provide the driving force in many of the other countries that have universal healthcare either.

You make relevant points. I certainly don't want my opinions to suggest that I don't want others to speak out for their own perspectives.

My suggestion that religion and universal healthcare are connected comes from some folks mentioning that it is a Christian duty to take care of others and that universal healthcare is the natural extension of that belief. I am addressing those with such an opinion. Like you, I do not believe these two things are inherently connected and that is actually the point of my "argument."

I do welcome your comments. It's always great to hear intelligent voices, no matter if they agree or disagree. :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There are many Christians on here (me) who believe that we should help our fellow man but do not believe that the government should do it as in universal health care.

I also don't believe health care is a right. I'd make the same arguments as others have made . . . .

Oh, and not to be picky but it is "holy" rollers . . . . .rolling in "holly" would really hurt. :D

steph

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I work near the canadian border. Sometimes these people have to come to the U.S. for use of our cath lab, and other specialties such as our nuerosurgeons. Is this universal healthcare at its best?? What may happen if these people did not have the option of using our facilities in an emergency??

Please note that I love Canada, and the people there. My point is that a governmnent run healthcare system is a bad idea.

Everybody loves Canada, eh! :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Quality Management.

This argument for and against "universal" health care is getting lost between two polar opinions. One side seems to be saying "we need (money) to cover everyone" and the other side seems to be saying "keep your hands off my money." Yes, I'm oversimplifying, to condense the post and save electrons. :D

There are many more productive lines of reason between these two polar opposites. We aren't going to reconcile these polarities today, so what if we concentrate on other aspects of the debate?

Can we agree that the current system is broken? I deal with insurance companies every day in my work and I'm here to tell you that these thieves are one of the real sources of conflict in the system.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

I also agree that this issue is not really a religious one at all. I prefer my right to donate to charities and ministries of my choosing, not have the government skimming more off my paycheck.

How about turning the discussion to possible solutions for the healthcare crisis in this country apart from socialized medicine? How can spending be decreased? How can care be improved? How can access to healthcare be improved?

In other words, is there a way to fix this without resorting to socialized medicine?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Rambling thoughts, wasted space.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych , Peds ,Nicu.
i also agree that this issue is not really a religious one at all. i prefer my right to donate to charities and ministries of my choosing, not have the government skimming more off my paycheck.

how about turning the discussion to possible solutions for the healthcare crisis in this country apart from capitalist medicine? how can spending be decreased? how can care be improved? how can access to healthcare be improved?

in other words, is there a way to fix this without resorting to capitalist medicine?

( my changes in red above )

as paganoid said this argument as always deteriorates , to the two polar opinions described .

i wish those who opposed uh , would look to the realities that the present healthcare system is failing , how to stop that failure , rather than attacking the universal health care systems , which for all there failures the citizens who are covered by uh prefer , to the profit driven system we have .

nb , i am not advocating a system in which profit cannot be made ,but any profit in healthcare should be used (as in not for profit hospitals ) , to improve the healthcare system and not the ceo's bank balance !

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).
( My changes in red above )

As Paganoid said this argument as always deteriorates , to the two polar opinions described .

I wish those who opposed UH , would look to the realities that the present healthcare system is failing , how to stop that failure , rather than attacking the universal health care systems , which for all there failures the citizens who are covered by UH prefer , to the profit driven system we have .

NB , I am not advocating a system in which profit cannot be made ,but any profit in healthcare should be used (as in not for profit hospitals ) , to improve the healthcare system and not the CEO's bank balance !

I think most of us can agree that the current system is failing. But that doesn't necessarily mean we throw the baby out with the "capitalist" bathwater.

Many people from countries with UHC have given examples of how UHC is not serving their country well. It may be anecdotal, but it also warrants a closer examination of its efficacy before we drop what we have here, and run to it...

Once the rationing of care starts, the level of care Americans are used to decreases, and our paychecks stagnate when the government decides we make too much money, UHC won't look so rosy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, LTC, Home Health.
Universal health care is a right in most industrialized countries.

"Universal health care is a right..."

Jeffrey,

You spent half your post arguing half my sentence. Why not go a step further and just take random words from my post and make them say whatever you want?

"Envy" for Canada's socialism? Move. Go there and work and give your money to the government and let them redistribute it as they see fit. Please go now.

Travelocity has some good deals on one-way tickets.

It's always great to hear intelligent voices, no matter if they agree or disagree.

You have told two people (so far) to leave the country over their opinions that didnt match yours. You should either stay with this "love it or leave it" dictatorship sentiment, or the "it doesnt matter if we agree or disagree" notion. At this rate, i wouldnt be surprised if your next post supported universal health care. That would be nice, because universal health care is a right!:nuke:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency/ Critical Care.
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")

By the way, "capitol" is spelled with an "a", I'm sure you are aware of this as I am aware that America has a capital A. This thread was intended as a discussion about universal health care. Please refrain from "cheap shots" just because I disagree with you. There are many people who feel both ways about the topic. Let's keep it civil.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh, yes Ma'am, certainly...civility is important.

I thought the issue was your statement regarding Americans being entitled to public education...I refuted that and then you responded with an admonition for civility. Where is the debate?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The current problems with health care largely stem from well meaning but ill conceived government interventions (Medicare/Medicaid to name two). How is the government going to fix that? More intervention?

Insurance Industry, highly regulated.

Drug industry, highly regulated.

Hospital industry, highly regulated.

Medical business models are designed to extract the maximum amount of tax money they can for a given service. JCAHO certifies that. This is not a true capitalist model, just people forced to play the game to get paid.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion