SURVEY: ONE-THIRD TO BUY CHEAPER CANADIAN DRUGS, 100 MILLION FIND INSURANCE COVERAGE CUT OR COSTLIER
Faced with a double-barreled crisis of shrinking health care coverage and fast-rising medical costs, two out of three American adults (67 percent) now think health care coverage should be a "guarantee" as in Canada, Britain and other nations, according to a new Results for America national opinion survey. Three out of four American adults (78 percent) agree that health care is a necessity like water, gas and electricity and should be "regulated by government"...
Your employer may or may not offer health insurance (depends on the employer and the employee's status as well, so a lot of part time workers can't get good coverage). My employer pays for most of my coverage, and I pay another 40$ a month (this is just to insure myself, it's more if I had dependents to insure). It is not counted as part of my income for tax purposes. I am at the mercy of my employer to an extent (my employer only offers 2 plans to choose from, I chose the cheaper one). They will insure family members at an additional cost. My plan is decent, but still somewhat confusing compared to the Canadian way. For instance, I can only see doctors who are a part of the plan, and I have various deductibles and co-pays to worry about. Often the plan pays 80% of something up to a maximum of whatever (and that's when they agree to reimburse for what the doctor orders, which isn't always the case).... If I choose not to use the employer sponsored plan, I can pay out of pocket for my own insurance. I don't because it's pretty expensive.
I've said before, the US already has universal health care, it just doesn't require that everyone pay for it. No one can be turned away from the emergency room because they don't have insurance. Most of my patients in the NICU have no insurance.
I would rather have my tax dollars pay for someone's health care than to pay for studies on flatus in cows and some of the other stupidity they are paying for now.
I agree, but whose to pay and how, that's the challenge.
Well, we got $137,000,000,000 to pay to invade Iraq. I'm sure we can find some money somewhere for healthcare. Being that the majority of western governments manage it, I'm sure it shouldn't be so hard for the USA. I mean, you're smart enough, right?
I believe there IS a choice. Take responsibility for yourself. Those who are physically or mentally unable to take that responsibility should be provided for. Children who are still in school (through grade 12) should be provided for. Beyond that, people need to be responsible for their own care. Why should any more be given? It takes away the motivation to go get a job with benefits.
I believe there IS a choice. Take responsibility for yourself. Those who are physically or mentally unable to take that responsibility should be provided for. Children who are still in school (through grade 12) should be provided for. Beyond that, people need to be responsible for their own care. Why should any more be given? It takes away the motivation to go get a job with benefits.
Self employed people do not have benefits
Many people are only offered part time jobs that do not have benefits
If the option was available for everyone then they would have the choice
Gee, I want the government to pay for even more: my house as well as my food, meds and healthcare. I'd like them to pay for my education too. But none of this will happen for me, because I'm an American who WORKS.
Seriously I was raised to be proud I could take care of myself; and going 'on the dole' or taking a handout was to be avoided at all costs.. Seems there's a growing number who don't feel this way however.
Maybe it IS time for national healthcare. Nurses seem more supportive to the idea than the docs as a whole. I'd like to see a plan that doesn't result in my taxes totalling 40% of my paycheck...if we could trim the budget fat a bit, do away with some pork, and reallocate some funds to healthcare ...then that would be good.
The problem here is some people are under the impression that they aren't paying for other people's heathcare ALREADY. You are. Most of the kiddies I look after don't have any private insurance, so guess who's picking up the tab? You and me.
The only question is if we want to admit it and change things, or keep with the status quo.
I agree with Fergus. Just look at any ER -- so many people are non-emergent patients but they have to be seen if they go to the ER. Plus there are all the services offered by various state health departments and state mental health departments.
It's hard for people who don't make much to pay for regular health care checkups, much less if they have something catastrophic happen to them. People who have health care usually don't have a clue about how much it costs if you don't have health care.
Selfl-employed people made the choice to be self-employed. They have options for healthcare coverage. Many can get in on group plans offered through associations. They can do private pay plans. If married the spouse can be insured through their work. My father is self-employed and has been for 25+ years. He has never been without insurance.
As far as the insured not understanding the costs of healthcare goes, I don't see why that would be. I get statements from the insurance company that tells the amount billed, the amount paid, and the amount I have to chip in. If someone chooses to not look at that information then that is their problem.
Providing coverage to all would encourage additional abuse of the healthcare system. We will be paying for everyone's visits to the doc for any little thing that happens to them because there will be no reason for them to NOT go to the doctor. They aren't affected by rising costs if they go to the doc for every sniffle and sneeze because they aren't paying the costs.
fergus51
6,620 Posts
Gwenith
Your employer may or may not offer health insurance (depends on the employer and the employee's status as well, so a lot of part time workers can't get good coverage). My employer pays for most of my coverage, and I pay another 40$ a month (this is just to insure myself, it's more if I had dependents to insure). It is not counted as part of my income for tax purposes. I am at the mercy of my employer to an extent (my employer only offers 2 plans to choose from, I chose the cheaper one). They will insure family members at an additional cost. My plan is decent, but still somewhat confusing compared to the Canadian way. For instance, I can only see doctors who are a part of the plan, and I have various deductibles and co-pays to worry about. Often the plan pays 80% of something up to a maximum of whatever (and that's when they agree to reimburse for what the doctor orders, which isn't always the case).... If I choose not to use the employer sponsored plan, I can pay out of pocket for my own insurance. I don't because it's pretty expensive.
I've said before, the US already has universal health care, it just doesn't require that everyone pay for it. No one can be turned away from the emergency room because they don't have insurance. Most of my patients in the NICU have no insurance.