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 Community, OB, Nursery.

The scrutiny of marriages between citizens and non-citizens of the US has also been increased because of the amount of people who have tried to gain citizenship that way (not that you're trying to do that with your dh....just speaking in general).

Understood - but it should not be impossible, which it pretty much is currently.

Then they just sort of spread. Eventually one of those 30 rented a house 3 houses down, and he had 30 more relatives come to his house, and so on and so on and so on. The problem I have is that they come here and refuse to do what it takes to fit in the country. These folks in my area refuse to learn the language, and they almost give off the attitude that they are from Mexico so they do not have to obide by our rules, laws and customs. They just do whatever they want as if they are above the law. What's scary is pretty much they are allowed to do it.

My son Zac is 13, but when he was 2 weeks old we were involved in an auto accident. I was parked in front of a house (checking out a garage sale). We had just pulled up and turned the car off when a big pickup came flying out of no where and slammed into us. They then rode down the side of the car. The truck tried to drive off, but people from the garage sale ran out in front of his truck and stopped him, and someone called 911. When the police arrived the found the men in the truck could not speak english so they called for a spanish officer. This new policeman showed up and spoke to me, the witnesses, and the drivers. Then he told me that they were from Mexico. They did not have a license to drive, and therefor did not have ANY auto insurance at all. I was told they couldn't help it because they weren't legal, and they hadn't had time to go through the process of becoming legal since they just got here not to long ago. Then the policeman allowed these men to drive away. While I sit there injured with a 2 week old baby, and a destroyed car.

I am really really sorry that happened to you. I would have been terrified in your shoes. What happened to you is my biggest reasoning for thinking that it's in our best interest to allow people here (however they got here) to have drivers' licenses.

One other thing - not all immigrants (again, however they got here) are as you described in the first paragraph Perhaps one group of people, but they are not the majority. They are not even a significant minority, at least not around here. They are for the most part great people. Not saints but good friends and good neighbors.

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Specializes in ER/Ortho.

Elvish,

I agree with you. As I said in an above post I really struggle with this. I know that these people who annoy me should are a few groups of individuals and do not represent the whole, but at times it is hard to remember this.

My son's best friend at school is from an immigrant family. His Dad came here, became legal, and then sent for the mom. When the mom got here together they took steps to make her legal, and then proceeded to have a family. They are Catholic, and do not believe in birth control so they have 5 kids, but they take wonderful care of those kids. They live one family to a home, and take care of their home and yard. The dad works his butt off, and takes care of his family. The kids are always clean, well dressed, and have what they need for school. They are well behaved probably even more so than my kids. My son is an A, B honor roll student, but this kid made his first B last year and I thought it was gonna kill him. He never makes less than an A in all honors courses, and his brothers and sisters are the same way. The mom and I car pooled last year and she is one of the nicest most dependable people I know. This year I am paying her to take/pickup my son everyday since I will be doing clinicals, and I completely trust her. Here is an example of an immigrant family who took the time to go through the right channels, and become legal. They work hard, assimilated to the country, and want to be Americans. They ARE one of us, and prove it by working hard, abiding by our laws, and trying to be good neighbors and good Americans. If all immigrants were like them I would welcome them here with open arms.

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I would gladly advocate for them all day long as long as it is YOUR checkbook I am advocating from. Why don't you give them health care. I worked hard hard to get where I am as have many others on here and I really get tired of everyone claiming were cruel because we don't want to foot the bills for the less fortunate.

Who are these people making $10 a day? Why don't you make their employers provide their healthcare?

Why do I need to make their children positive members of society? Why can't their parents?

You get out of life what you put into it. Anyone can succeed in the country if you are willing to put in the effort to achieve it.

What? :( It is so hard to be an immigrant here in the US and even more when being attacked by others. I grew up in LA surrounded by immigrant families, including my own. Immigrants come here for a better life. No one would do the jobs they do...no one would work 12 hours making less than 10 dollars a day! They work basic jobs needed to drive this country (blue collar jobs)- why not give them healthcare? Why not help their children become positive members of society who them in the future can contribute? They drive without licenses because the laws won't change and they won't be given to them. They still have to work to feed their family here in the US and their family back in their home country! They need to drive...Im sorry :( My parents were immigrant and we suffered so much. We had to live on 800 bucks a month!!! with 500 for rent and the rest for food, clothes,bills, medical care, etc...Can you imagine? I'm glad I'm a nurse who can advocate for them...just my opinion hope its understandable. :) Thanks
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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

^ This is coming from someone who is making or going to make over 125k a year. How about you give 500 bucks out of your paycheck. You could probably afford it more than us.

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I would gladly advocate for them all day long as long as it is YOUR checkbook I am advocating from. Why don't you give them health care. I worked hard hard to get where I am as have many others on here and I really get tired of everyone claiming were cruel because we don't want to foot the bills for the less fortunate.

Who are these people making $10 a day? Why don't you make their employers provide their healthcare?

Why do I need to make their children positive members of society? Why can't their parents?

You get out of life what you put into it. Anyone can succeed in the country if you are willing to put in the effort to achieve it.

Pointless arguing with him... Can't wait until he needs some government assistance. Bet his story changes then...

Worked hard... Bleh. Everyone works hard. You are allowed to work hard because of sacrifices made by other people. There are always people that allow everyone else to sacrifice for them but when it comes time to return the favor can't be bothered to do anything...

Try contributing to society for a change...

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Specializes in Tele,CCU,ER.

OMG how can SOME people be so cruel...even as a nurse! But I'm glad everyone else is understanding. I'm glad my immigrant family was able to make it here in the US! I thank those who truly feel in their hearts aboyt helping those less fortunate :) It was thanks to those who lended their hands to me that allowed me to get my BSN!!! I am now an RN and I made it even though my parents were immigrant and I grew up in a horrible community---so I know how hard it is. Those who advocate against help for the poor wouldn't last a day in the shoes of the poor!!! Thanks stanley...and everyone who is actually compassionate...:(

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Health care is a basic human right. Be poor and sick/injured. Everyone deserves a certain quality of life, no matter what your social or income status is. The rich do not deserve any better care than the poor. A civilized society recognizes this. We are all responsible for our brothers and sisters to some extent. To deny someone health care due to their financial ability to pay is unethical and uncivilized. As nurses, we know what compassion and humaity is all about!!!!!

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OMG how can SOME people be so cruel...even as a nurse! But I'm glad everyone else is understanding. I'm glad my immigrant family was able to make it here in the US! I thank those who truly feel in their hearts aboyt helping those less fortunate :) It was thanks to those who lended their hands to me that allowed me to get my BSN!!! I am now an RN and I made it even though my parents were immigrant and I grew up in a horrible community---so I know how hard it is. Those who advocate against help for the poor wouldn't last a day in the shoes of the poor!!! Thanks stanley...and everyone who is actually compassionate...:(

Your welcome. I was poor but I was too young to notice as it was my mother skipping meals and not me. I did live in El Paso, Texas from 85-95 and got a real close look at what 'being poor' meant. Most Americans have no idea what poor is...

A good example is that the number of soldiers in the military on welfare is rising yet again. I guess they are slackers and not worthy of anyone's help too... Lazy, no account, shiftless, irresponsible, LAZY soldiers. I swear...

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You seem very angry at people less fortunate than you. Stop, take a deep breath. Realize, that all of us that "make it" do it on the backs of others. Compassion is the glue of human understanding....HUMANITY!!!!!What a beautiful thing!

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Specializes in ER/Ortho.

I am a firm believer in karma, and an after life. I think those who are cold hearted, selfish, greedy, and just plain inhuman will get theirs in this life and beyond. Just smile, keep being the best you that you can be, and know that one day they will learn that valuable life lesson by living it.

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Anyone honestly believe just because we don't have universal healthcare we, the taxpayers are not having to pay for every indigent pt who enters the hospital? "People would take advantage of the system" God knows that never happens now. The hospital E.R. is probably 50% ( more or less) self-pay and I am not going to pay pts. They are the most demanding and believe they have the right to stay free for as long as they would like. Heck, why not, the taxpayers are going to pay for this. Then the medicare pts usually want even use their call lights because they don't want to burden anyone. BE REAL, you are already paying. Universal Healthcare would make it fair for everyone not just the free-loaders.

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I would gladly advocate for them all day long as long as it is YOUR checkbook I am advocating from. Why don't you give them health care. I worked hard hard to get where I am as have many others on here and I really get tired of everyone claiming were cruel because we don't want to foot the bills for the less fortunate.

Who are these people making $10 a day? Why don't you make their employers provide their healthcare?

Why do I need to make their children positive members of society? Why can't their parents?

You get out of life what you put into it. Anyone can succeed in the country if you are willing to put in the effort to achieve it.

There are many people who have worked equally hard and yet they are just barely scraping together body and soul. You have been extremely fortunate in life and you should thank your deity each and every day for your success. With a slightly less fortunate turn in your life you could be a member of the social class that you so obviously despise.

You would not be where you are today if other taxpayers had decided to:

1. Fail to fund public schools.

2. Fail to fund college financial aid programs stafford loans, grants, direct subsidy of college costs

3. Failed to subsidize the GI bill

4. Failed to subsidize teaching programs at hospitals for health care students.

The point is that each of these efforts by taxpayers were undertaken to help individuals succeed because it helps society as a whole to succeed at a higher level.

The point is that 1/3 of American families make 200% of the poverty level or less. Health insurance is neither affordable or available at that income level. (Poverty costs the American economy 500 BN/year in lost productivity.) The reason we have a collective obligation to children for health care is this:"They are the seed corn of our future.."

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