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?

i think that some of our friends in canada/uk are not aware of the people who are put on long waiting lists for operations and tests that require immediate attention..there was a program on cnn a couple of weeks ago about a patient who had a breast lump and she waited for a mamo and then waited for results and then was scheduled for biopsy in three months and then waited for surgery it was 9 months from the time she discovered the lump until surgery by then it was a more drastic situation...no one can say that she would have lived if she had had quicker care but she would definitely would have had a better chance

for those who say that they could have been bumped up on a waiting list then there would have been someone who would have to been bumped down

if they are going to have uhc are they going to close all the VA and charity clinics and hospitals??? is the government going to decide about what constitutes nurse/patient ratio??

those of you who have seen patients die because of a lack of care have you told them of options where they could receive free care??

i like the insurance plan better than just doubling taxes..those who are on the bottom of the pay scale will have to pay double also which will take food out their and their families mouths

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Sorry but if you try to be constructive here, who listens? No matter what anyone says they all insist that UHC is not possible and can't work. I get frustrated by posters that are not concerned about anyone outside of themselves.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
i think that some of our friends in canada/uk are not aware of the people who are put on long waiting lists for operations and tests that require immediate attention..there was a program on cnn a couple of weeks ago about a patient who had a breast lump and she waited for a mamo and then waited for results and then was scheduled for biopsy in three months and then waited for surgery it was 9 months from the time she discovered the lump until surgery by then it was a more drastic situation...no one can say that she would have lived if she had had quicker care but she would definitely would have had a better chance

for those who say that they could have been bumped up on a waiting list then there would have been someone who would have to been bumped down

if they are going to have uhc are they going to close all the VA and charity clinics and hospitals??? is the government going to decide about what constitutes nurse/patient ratio??

those of you who have seen patients die because of a lack of care have you told them of options where they could receive free care??

i like the insurance plan better than just doubling taxes..those who are on the bottom of the pay scale will have to pay double also which will take food out their and their families mouths

But in Canada you wouldn't wait months if you found a lump.Matter of days, has been all the breast cancer survivors I know had to wait.

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Specializes in Case management, Utilization Review.

I haven't read all the posts, but what about universal Dental and eye care? Is this covered by UHC in Canada or the UK? Just curious. Seems like dentists in the US have it pretty good...few around here take Medicaid patients, 4 day workweek, no call, no coming in for emergencies to the hospital..or very seldom. I have seen people come in with illnesses related to poor dental care because of lack of access..it would sure save the taxpayers money if people could get treatment before they have a mouth full of rotten teeth.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.
Sorry but if you try to be constructive here, who listens? No matter what anyone says they all insist that UHC is not possible and can't work. I get frustrated by posters that are not concerned about anyone outside of themselves.

I understand your frustration. I said in a post that our society has become a society of "me me me".

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I think that the big difference for Canadians (of my generation anyways) is that we grew up with our system and it is unthinkable to us that everyone shouldn't be cared for.We tend to think in terms of caring for everyone, not just ourselves.I guess our system is as normal to us as yours is to you. Americans think nothing of having to haggle with insurance companies to get care and we are used to just getting whatever we need without question.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

If we have everyone contributing to an insurance fund we can establish what is called a "group cohort" and as an aggregate, society would pay LESS for healthcare.

Not necessarily. Those who do not pay taxes, or qualify for near 100% refunds will not be contributing into the aggregate UHC fund. Seniors who contributed to Medicaid (and use it) do not pay income tax, constitute 15% of the population, but eat up >75% of Medicaid's budget. (according to my Health & Social Policy instructor)

We pay for them anyways at this point. So what difference does it make if we have universal healthcare. Are you saying that lower-income people do not deserve the healthcare? Because that's the impression I am getting from you. It's a basic right that shouldn't be denied to someone because they don't make over $30k.

Lets face it, people who work minimum wage already do pay taxes. They might not have as much taken out as you. But you make probably $3k a month, they don't.

They may not have as much taxes taken out, but their care will cost the same or more than ours. As a general rule, lower socioeconomic status usually involves a higher rate of morbidity and mortality. Greater access to healthcare services may help some, but old habits die hard. Smoking, alcoholism and obesity will be hard to stamp out.

Sorry but if you try to be constructive here, who listens? No matter what anyone says they all insist that UHC is not possible and can't work. I get frustrated by posters that are not concerned about anyone outside of themselves.

It goes both ways. I've been stomped on a few times with my opposing viewpoints. That's what a debate is all about. Anytime someone questions the efficacy and wisdom of going to a UHC system, someone cries "You heartless pig!!"

I haven't read all the posts, but what about universal Dental and eye care? Is this covered by UHC in Canada or the UK? Just curious. Seems like dentists in the US have it pretty good...few around here take Medicaid patients, 4 day workweek, no call, no coming in for emergencies to the hospital..or very seldom. I have seen people come in with illnesses related to poor dental care because of lack of access..it would sure save the taxpayers money if people could get treatment before they have a mouth full of rotten teeth.

Go do a google search on "British bad teeth" and read some of the Brits opinions on their own dental care. Many have had a terrible time accessing covered dental services. Once you sort through all the jokes, there's a lot of interesting info there.

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No. This is a free country, and neither the government nor any other entity should control the quality of care I receive. I do not want to receive the cheeper medication or the low cost, lower quality outcome procedure, like the government would provide. I want to receive best of practice health care and I am willing to pay for my health care, and everyone else living in this country should pay for their own health care. For those who think they can't afford health care, if the government likes to help so much, they can provide those people with health care loans for the necessary care. If we can take out a loan for buying a home, car, or going to school, we should most certainly be able to take out a loan to cover the most important thing of all, our health care expenses. Health care is not free, so take responsibility for paying for the care that you receive. In addition, we live in a republic, where capitalism is the answer, not socialism. I want pharmaceutical companies to receive tax breaks so they can reinvest their money in research to discover medications to help improve quality of life for disease sufferers. I want hospitals and new start up companies to receive benefits and tax incentives. Most importantly, I want my doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to be well paid. The more a controlling force like the government gets involved in health care the worse off we all are.

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Here is a good read showing the bureaucratic influence on healthcare:

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Blogs/10258

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It goes both ways. I've been stomped on a few times with my opposing viewpoints. That's what a debate is all about. Anytime someone questions the efficacy and wisdom of going to a UHC system, someone cries "You heartless pig!!"

.

You are right and to be fair it does go both ways "me, me, me". :D

steph

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Good story. I agree that stuff like that shouldn't happen.

But on the other hand, no one ever uses the story of the addict that has come into the ER for the 24th time this month with "abdominal pain," gets dosed with Dilaudid (he's allergic to Toradol, Morphine and Demerol, of course) and leaves, with his cost of "healthcare" (physician fee, supply fee, meds, Xrays, etc) paid for by the taxpayers, as an example of why we need UHC.

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