Do You Want Universal Healthcare?

[DanFNP]

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?

[tntrn, ASN, RN]

Absolutely not! For two reasons: one is that I already pay for people who make poor choices and are now in the entitlement mode to get free care. Secondly, if we had universal health care, we would have had to wait far too long for my husband's prostate tumor (which was into the margins but not yet metastacized) and instead of him being healthy and cancer free now, we'd just be waiting for him to die.

As it was, he had his surgery 8 days after the diagnosis, and the radiation (course of 37 treatments) as a backup are almost over. All this in less than 8 months after we got the bad news. Waiting and watching? Surgery date months out?

No thanks.

[kjetski]

Lol,

No way! I prefer the price mechanism as opposed to the "que". I am somewhat familiar with Canadian Medicare and the UK's NHS. Both do a wonderful job given the limited rescources each recieves. Canada spends about 9% of GDP, the UK 7%.

The United States of America spends 16%, almost double that of the UK and Canada.

The Torries published a white paper in 2001 confirming the survival rates for 10 major health conditions. The NHS compared poorly with the USA. I can find a link, but I am not inclined to do so at this time.

Walk in clinics aka "doc in the box" are the norm in most American communities. They are very rare in the UK, if any exist at all.

When government becomes involved in the doctor-patient relationship, it is usually to the detriment of the patient. I imagine the FDA kills far more patients than it saves by keeping competition out of the medical marketplace.

[loriangel14, RN]

I am Canadian and I love our system. I am not saying it is perfect but as a single parent I like not having to check my bank account before I take a child to the doctors. My oldest was born at 24 weeks and she was in one of the best hospitals with specialists caring for her for 15 weeks and it didn't cost me a cent.

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

Nope.

Just ask the Brits. And the people who've been waiting for years for knee and hip replacements. And have no universal dental coverage.

I'm tired of paying for irresponsible people to use the ER as their free drug clinic. I'm also tired of paying for multiple baby deliveries to unemployed, unattached women who refuse to use free birth control after their 5th crack baby. I believe in helping out a fellow human, but I refuse to support someone who doesn't care for themselves, is able-bodied but refuses to work, and doesn't care that they're suckling on the taxpayers teat.

THAT is what universal healthcare means to me....

[siggie13]

yes!!!!!:yeah:

[loriangel14, RN]

But do you think that honest hard working people should be hundreds of thousands in debt because they had the misfortune to have a car accident or a child with extra healthcare needs. Or a child with an infection not seeing a doctor because Mom is broke?

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

if you have to have nothing to qualify...or have medical billing coming after you because medicare is so far behind, or the facility has to cut positions/services just because of poor reinbursement...yeah, that is why uni healthcare should exist....

But, it is a double edged sword. Only if the money is available....what social programs would be cut to pay for it....

[nightmare, RN]

Nope.

Just ask the Brits. And the people who've been waiting for years for knee and hip replacements. And have no universal dental coverage.

I'm tired of paying for irresponsible people to use the ER as their free drug clinic. I'm also tired of paying for multiple baby deliveries to unemployed, unattached women who refuse to use free birth control after their 5th crack baby. I believe in helping out a fellow human, but I refuse to support someone who doesn't care for themselves, is able-bodied but refuses to work, and doesn't care that they're suckling on the taxpayers teat.

THAT is what universal healthcare means to me....

Our system might not be perfect but when my husband had a stroke he was in hospital for 6 months...cost..my bus fares to go and see him.When I had to have my gall bladder out, cost ..nothing.We pay our national insurance from the moment we start working .I have a dentist but yes the NHS ones are in short supply.Yes there are waiting lists but you can get cancellations and go earlier. No one is turned away because they can't pay.A lot of people chose to have private health insurance,it may get them seen quicker but the treatment is much the same.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I could see a two tiered system emerging.

People who are well off will still carry health insurance and pay for a high level of healthcare. Enough doctors would drop out of the National health system to supply them. Look at how many doctors now limit their number of Medicaid patients.

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

]Our system might not be perfect but when my husband had a stroke he was in hospital for 6 months...cost..my bus fares to go and see him.When I had to have my gall bladder out, cost ..nothing.

That is where a NHS excels, but both were acute medical conditions. Had it been something like a knee replacement, you would have to wait like everyone else.

We pay our national insurance from the moment we start working

So does most of middle class America, but who pays for those who demand a right to healthcare but do not contribute to paying for it? Middle class America.

Having universal healthcare would result in depressed/lower wages for healthcare workers, long lines for "elective procedures", and add another area of governmental control when too much exists as it is.

Social programs are in place for children, the disabled and the elderly. Sure, they have their flaws. If you don't fall into one of those categories, you aren't owed anything. You need to work like everyone else.

The notion that healthcare is a "right" is flawed IMHO. Basic emergency care and public health maybe, but your right to healthcare does not include coming to the ED for a hangnail or runny nose, costing taxpayers hundreds of dollars. (yes, I've seen it).

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

I could see a two tiered system emerging.

People who are well off will still carry health insurance and pay for a high level of healthcare. Enough doctors would drop out of the National health system to supply them. Look at how many doctors now limit their number of Medicaid patients.

Exactly. We will end up with most of the country on a "Medicaid" like system, and those who can afford it will buy into a higher plan.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I say Go For It, I would do it. I can't say what my future will be...I can be hit with a catastrophic illness and lose everything I have, or what about my husband or son? Can I really look into their eyes and not be able to help them because I don't have enough money? I can only imagine the pain of a parent, spouse or loved one not being able to get help for their loved one in pain and in need. It reminds me of that movie with Denzel Washington, "John Q". I was able to totally relate to the character in that movie, and I cried the entire time.