Socialized/Universal/Single Payer/Government Funded Health care....why?

MBANurse · Dec 29, 2007

The point of the graphic was that your positions did not represent a commitment to progress. Some of your postings could be taken as blaming the less fortunate for being less fortunate which could be taken as incongruent with the core nursing value of social justice and the Army core value(s) of Respect.

Individuals choose not to pay attention in school.. or their parents do not make them or choose widgets and gidgets over basics because they know that the basics will be provided. The fact that I have made progress and bettered myself (and will continue to do so) demonstrates that ANYONE can do it. IF they work and sacrifice. Taking away from those that has worked to give to those that won't is not congruent with Respect or Social justice.

There are exceptions. But that is what they should be; exceptions.

pickledpepperRN · Dec 29, 2007

Why not put them to work? If they can't or won't learn to wash cars or dishes maybe they are sick or disabled.

Refuse to work, no check. Too addicted or mentally ill to work?

Then they need help because they are a threat to themselves and any children in the family.

A no frills care facility may be in order. Loss of freedom (no Marlboros and beer) may motivate them to take a job.

There should be no honest decent job Americans won't do.

People who can't get a job should be offerred one.

And the employers given tax incentives to hire them. At minimum wage or better.

Then for those who truly cannot do any bettere food stamps for working families is a good thing.

Just my diumb brain trying to think here.

nursej22, MSN, RN · Dec 30, 2007

So the government will bungle health care the way they bungle everything? Uhh, we trust them with running the military, the post office, roads, public education, FAA, FDA... My personal observation is that deregulation of government agencies and services has led to more problems and corruption and higher costs.

Yes there is always some waste and inefficiency, but I resent my health care dollars going for lobbying and advertising.

MBANurse--thank you for your military service. And I am happy that you do not suffer form a chronic disability that prevents you from working, that your family hasn't been stricken by illness that has caused you to declare bankruptcy or that you employer hasn't cancelled your insurance or made the premiums so high that you must choose between paying the rent or insurance premiums. I would guess that you have never had to have bake sales to raise money for medical care. That is a common occurance in my community of hard working people (farmers, fishermen, loggers, Walmart employees) who can't pay for medical insurance.

HM2VikingRN, RN · Dec 30, 2007

i think that this article speaks to the need for consistent health coverage benefits and billing transparency:

lying on the gurney in the emergency room last may, facing an [color=#004276]appendectomy, i should have been focused on my well-being.

instead, all i could think was: what is this going to cost?

it was not that i was uninsured. but i had pre-operation financial [color=#004276]anxiety about the prospect of dealing with my insurance company in regard to surgery that had not even happened yet.

my husband and i had a plan with a $3,000 deductible, and i took comfort knowing that the money was safe in our savings account. i also knew that emergency care and surgery were covered at 80 percent.

what that other 20 percent might amount to was my primary worry-plus what all the á la carte items might cost. that was the hard lesson i had learned the year before, after giving birth, then struggling to decode the bills for various prenatal tests. the doctor might be covered for a test-but my lab work was not. or if the lab work was covered, the "facility fee" was extra.

it is the insurance shell game: you think you know what to expect and you are totally wrong. surprise!

source: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/29/business/yourmoney/29instincts.html?ref=health accessed 12/30/2007.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2007

I think I caught some of your points in there.
you stated the 8 million children without insurance....
tou talked about those that could afford it....
bottom line for me?
I provide for me and mine why can't the rest of the country do the same for themselves.

That is such a cute thought.

MBANurse · Dec 31, 2007

That is such a cute thought.

Why is it a cute thought?

Katie82, RN · Dec 31, 2007

I also have a MBA, I presume yours is in HCM. Studying the "business" of healthcare was an eye-opener for me. I totally agree with you. As a nurse who has worked with both the Medicare and Medicaid populations, I can tell you that the Government programs are the biggest wasters of money. My Medicaid patients have much better coverage than I do, usually with no questions asked. As for uninsured children, every state in the country has a program that will cover income-eligible children. I know parents who let their kids go without healthcare because they are too busy/lazy to keep up with the recertification requirements. I know people who can afford insurance, but opt to sign their kids up for Medicaid because they need the disposible income for cigarettes, manicures and Starbucks. I remember the brouhaha that arose when the Prez vetoed the CHIP expansion bill, poor uninsured children.... What the media failed to widely report is that the group of children to be newly eligible have parents that make more money than many of us. I just don't feel responsible for the healthcare of a child whose irresponsible mother needs a Starbucks fix once a day.

Lizzy6 · Dec 31, 2007

My Medicaid patients have much better coverage than I do, usually with no questions asked. As for uninsured children, every state in the country has a program that will cover income-eligible children. I know parents who let their kids go without healthcare because they are too busy/lazy to keep up with the recertification requirements.

Sounds like you work in public health too. I work with SCHIP and the Medicaid population. You are right, often people go without health insurance because THEY DO NOT re-cert annually. They only have to re-cert once a year, and sadly the caregiver does not fill out the required application in order for them to have coverage. As with my Medicaid clients, their coverage is free (meds, hosps, sx, er visits, PCP visits, specialist(s) visits, x-rays, diagnosis tests, durable medical equipment, dental, 2 eye exam a year & glasses. The health dept offers a personal care aide for a couple hrs per day/5 days per week if needed, or if medically justified home health aide or private duty nursing. But as you stated, "my Medicaid clients do have better health coverage than I do". Same here, I only have medical insurance with high co-pays and deductibles, also not much of a discount with my prescriptions. The company I work work does not offer dental or eye exams, so I have neither..I have to use my credit card or take out a loan since I do not have the extra money.

MBANurse · Jan 1, 2008

I also have a MBA, I presume yours is in HCM. Studying the "business" of healthcare was an eye-opener for me. I totally agree with you. As a nurse who has worked with both the Medicare and Medicaid populations, I can tell you that the Government programs are the biggest wasters of money. My Medicaid patients have much better coverage than I do, usually with no questions asked. As for uninsured children, every state in the country has a program that will cover income-eligible children. I know parents who let their kids go without healthcare because they are too busy/lazy to keep up with the recertification requirements. I know people who can afford insurance, but opt to sign their kids up for Medicaid because they need the disposible income for cigarettes, manicures and Starbucks. I remember the brouhaha that arose when the Prez vetoed the CHIP expansion bill, poor uninsured children.... What the media failed to widely report is that the group of children to be newly eligible have parents that make more money than many of us. I just don't feel responsible for the healthcare of a child whose irresponsible mother needs a Starbucks fix once a day.

Be careful, you are going to be labeled a heartless and uncaring person... How dare you expect an individual to responsible for themselves. :uhoh3:

Katie82, RN · Jan 1, 2008

That said, I look to my own sister's experience with wait times in Canada. When she was diagnosed with uterine cancer 10 years ago, there was no wait. Her treatment was immediate. She was also fortunate to be in a large city and could take advantage of an innovative operation that was then being performed by only three surgeons in the world.

Total out-of-pocket cost: Less than $50. Because she opted for a private room.

I have heard a lot of dissatisfaction about the healthcare system in Canada, from Canadians. Most complain about the rationing, the need to wait for diagnostics and procedures. You sister was fortunate (not about the cancer, but the care), but she also had a condition that required immediate attention. Some one with gall bladder disease or back pain might not be so lucky and could find themselves waiting years for care. Would not work in this country, we are too spoiled.

pickledpepperRN · Jan 1, 2008

I am quite selfish.

I want children of irresponsible parents to have healthcare too.

It hurts me when children suffer.

And I choose to help those I can through charity donations and volunteering.

And work toward having a healthcare system in my country.

MBANurse · Jan 1, 2008

I am quite selfish.
I want children of irresponsible parents to have healthcare too.
It hurts me when children suffer.
And I choose to help those I can through charity donations and volunteering.
And work toward having a healthcare system in my country.

I help through the charities of my choice and that is the key...