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?

TreeDoc - love that photo avatar!

Welcome to the dark side . . .. :coollook:

steph

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
She would probably have found a way to pay that bill out of pocket if it meant she could take her daughter home, but is grateful that it did not bankrupt her.

I am just saying that people should not have to go into hundreds of thousands of dollars in lifelong debt just to get healthcare.

I do pay taxes, as we all do. I am just saying that American families pay hundreds of dollars for insurance each month and still have to argue with the insurance companies to get care. I pay taxes but at least there is no argument if I or my kids need care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

RBEZEMEK has it all wrong. You state that no effective social programs have ever been established without the government's intervention. Name one effective social program (Period).

Do we have less racism now than we did in the 60s?? Is violence down?? Are teenage pregnancies down?? Is poverty down??

Socialism works in many other countries for a variety of reasons. One is that they have many less people than we do. Here in the US, every state has its say about things and so the feds can't really step on them too much.

Other countries have different attitudes towards socialism. When I lived in Finland (a very socialized country) it was very different than here. They have the government pay for many things but unlike here, they don't abuse it. We are all familiar with the women who have more kids just so they can get more $$ from the gov't. They don't have that attitude in Scandinavia. EVERYONE puts in and EVERYONE takes out.

And if you are making a lot of money (say $500,000/year) do you get any better health care for yourself than the next guy if we are all in the socialized system?? Will he get better doctors or have more to show for his money than the guy earning $5000/year.

Before you get defensive and say that health care shouldn't matter, show me one thing YOU would be willing to give up to be in the same boat as someone who makes 1/10 the money you do. Especially if you have to pay their way.

My final statement echoes my first. Name one thing, just one, that the federal gov't does with efficiency. Defense?? Remember the $400 toilet seats and $700 hammers?? The economy?? Taxes?? Just name one and when you realize you can't, think to yourself, "Do I really want the gov't managing my health care?"

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.
Look at the socialistic nations that have tried it. Europe and Canada have become nanny states and their economy is crumbling.

The U.S economy is crumbling already in my eyes. Instead of handing over half out pay checks to the goverment for taxes we are handing them over to the gas stations ( though thats another thread...). Heck banks are being taken over by the FDIC because they are losing to much money. We are on the verge of a recession.

So many working families are having to pay enormous amounts out of thier pocket now for either private ins, monthly premiums to employers if they are covered at work, and for copay's and deductibles. My point is we are already paying out of pockets for the services. If we did not have theses expenses and the taxes were raised we would not see the effects.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
....EVERYONE puts in and EVERYONE takes out.

That's why I like our system. I don't mind paying into health care that is for everyone. We all benefit. No one should get better care becuase they have deeper pockets. Our citizens get help with out being quizzed about how much green they have first.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Not even reading all the replies, but yes. %100 yes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think universal healthcare (aka government-paid insurance) should be optional. That is, all of you who want it, go ahead and join it and pay for it. The rest of us will use the existing method.

If you choose government-paid insurance, you can count on those who don't carry their own weight to join right with you...all of them.

As a matter of fact, you can just go ahead now and send in a couple of thousand dollars to the government and designate it to Medicaid. They'll take your money. Approximately 60 million people voted for Kerry in the last election. 60 million times $2000...why that sure pays for a lot of health care.

As for me, I carry my own weight and that of my family.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

But for some people it is not a matter of not wanting to pull their own weight. They just can't. if we all pitch in what we can then we will all benefit.My brother works very hard but if he had to pay $1000 plus a month for insurance that would probably refuse to pay for health care anyways he couldn't do it. I have no problem paying for those who can't. No one should be held hostage by the system to access health care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

As for me, I carry my own weight and that of my family.

Do you not even CARE about your fellow man?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I'm sorry. That was judgemental and uncalled for. I am passionate about equal access to health care(obviously) and sometimes I type without thinking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm sorry. That was judgemental and uncalled for.

Thank you. It says a lot about you that you apologized.

It's just that some of us feel that everyone should carry their own weight. Granted, some can't because of physical or mental reasons and we have a system to help those. But for the rest, CARRY YOUR OWN WEIGHT!

I have an acquaintance who had two children out of wedlock with a gangbanger (moral issues aside). One of the children was born very sick due to a venereal infection she contracted from the gangbanger, who had multiple children with multiple women. He wound up in prison. She, having no education and no job, got all her, and her children's, medical bills paid by the state.

This scenario goes on and on and on in this country. I don't feel sorry for them. I feel sorry for me for having to cover other people's mistakes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.
Thank you. It says a lot about you that you apologized.

It's just that some of us feel that everyone should carry their own weight. Granted, some can't because of physical or mental reasons and we have a system to help those. But for the rest, CARRY YOUR OWN WEIGHT!

I have an acquaintance who had two children out of wedlock with a gangbanger (moral issues aside). One of the children was born very sick due to a venereal infection she contracted from the gangbanger, who had multiple children with multiple women. He wound up in prison. She, having no education and no job, got all her, and her children's, medical bills paid by the state.

This scenario goes on and on and on in this country. I don't feel sorry for them. I feel sorry for me for having to cover other people's mistakes.

I too dislike the fact that I have to pay taxes for others to sit and not do anything to help themselves. But we can't change that and we are paying for that now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion