Universal Health Care... what would this mean...

hope3456, ASN, RN · Feb 7, 2008

If any of you want to know how a Universal health care system would work in the USA. all you need do is look at the socialized health care systems that now exist and how they operate. I speak of the VA health care system and Medicaid.
Keep in mind that these systems provide for only a SMALL percentage of the US population. I need say no more.

Medicaid provides for more than a SMALL percentage of the U.S. population. i am in CO - medicaid pays for nearly 35% of all childbirths in this state. That stat just nearly blew me away. in texas, medicaid pays for over 60%!! I am using that as an example b/c that is the only thing I have ever really made a substantial claim to my health insurance policy for. I don't believe I got any different treatment (having private insurance) than someone on medicaid by my Dr. or in the hospital. I feel I was discharged before I was ready and had problems with nursing care but that is b/c they were so busy.

I understand the problem with medicaid is that the hospitals (and MDs) aren't reimbursed very well, but it's not like they don't have problems with reimbursements for private insurance companies either.

My uncle used the VA for care recently (had a cardiac catheterization with 2 stents placed) and he was very happy with the care he received.

I know I can't speak for everyone but I also worked for a 'for profit' nursing home and the patient care was HORRIBLE. Supposedly no funding for even basic supplies.

country mom · Feb 7, 2008

I don't think that the U.S. population would accept a universal system such as is seen in Canada and Europe. People there wait months, even years for so-called "elective" surgeries such as hernia repair. I know in Canada they have private-pay hospitals you can go to and pay your own way if you get tired of waiting, or if they won't do your hernia surgery becuase you're overweight (that happens too). We Americans are already accustomed to getting what we want, when we want it and I can't imagine our society accepting having to "wait your turn". Our patients freak out now when they have to wait 30 minutes to get their lab results back! One of my nursing coworkers has a sister who is an RN in Canada and she is dealing with the same problems of understaffing and stress that we are.

rita359 · Feb 7, 2008

We simply pay too much in taxes not to receive universal healthcare. We waste too much money as well, if we have money to pay for wars, bridges to no where, museums for Woodstock, endless studies at universities, etc then we have enough to pay for healthcare for our citizens. Actually I can think of nothing more important than good health so it should be the number one priority.
As long as the lobbyists are in charge though it wont happen. Our system is broke, we spend more than other countries and receive worse results as far as healthcare goes. Our working poor and middle class are getting hammered. One major accident and say hello to a bankruptcy.
Again we just pay so much in taxes many cannot afford healthcare on their own. As a nurse I cannot count the number of patients I saw who waited until they received Medicare to get care so it has to be a lot better than nothing at all.

You think we pay too much in taxes now, just wait. Where do you think they are going to get the money to pay for universal health care? With all government mandates we currently pay 70,000 plus. Fortunately by the time you guys pass universal health care and get it set up we will be retired and you can pay for it. I think you will find it harder and harder to support your families on what the government will let you keep. And make no mistake about it, they will take their ever growing bite from your pay before you ever get any and they will not care that you can't make ends meet. Working overtime to make ends meet will not help either because you will still get less and less of what you make. :madface:

Nurseterr7, ASN, RN · Feb 7, 2008

This is a very complex Question. personally I would like to know what some things cost to begin with. For example what is a reasonable cost for a visit to your Primary MD -vs- a specialist , cost for basic labs, x-ray, ct scans. It is difficult to get prices from institutions and the prices they give are tired up with the insurance industry. The free market can not work when we have a medical institution unwilling to free up information about pricing. I live in Fla. and mammograms are free to women but when I registered upon arrival for mine I was asked to give them a copay. Had I not know the law my wallet would have been opened. I have insurance coverage they will charge anyway. Morally we believe health care to be a right but business interest dictates . If this nation wants to lean toward universal Health care I would suggest they start by expanding preventative health care and walk in clinics and see if it brings down the cost of the emergency services draining the system. The problem is . No patients -No profits... I really don't know what the solution is,I'm just talking off the top of my head:bugeyes:

hope3456, ASN, RN · Feb 7, 2008

[quote= If this nation wants to lean toward universal Health care I would suggest they start by expanding preventative health care and walk in clinics and see if it brings down the cost of the emergency services draining the system.

Great idea! This is already done (in some places more than others) with the use of 'community health clinics.' They serve the uninsured but rely upon private donations, government grants, medicaid dollars, ect to stay afloat. I think they do more good than people realize.

BlueRidgeHomeRN · Feb 7, 2008

australia, and canada not too different, but differences. england, france, germany, very differnet.
.

has anyone else also lived in europe?

in france, germany, and great britain, the populations are largely homogenous (despite the recent influx of immigrants, who are largely considered second class citizens), geographical areas are much smaller, and has been previously addressed, there is a 17.5% tax on every purchase (it was 15% when i lived there, before the euro), in additon to the sky-high income taxes. many posters appear to be comparing apples to avacados in looking at spending, income, and wait times. (yes, a cabg is "elective", would you care to have your family member wait six weeks for same?)

:offtopic:btw-if you are in an auto crash in germany and not belted, it is contributory negligence and your insurance has the option not to pay. there is a strong set of social mores to "encourage" compliance to all the rules--the anthisis of the american spirit of self-reliance and independence. just food for thought.

BlueRidgeHomeRN · Feb 7, 2008

i am in co - medicaid pays for nearly 35% of all childbirths in this state. that stat just nearly blew me away. in texas, medicaid pays for over 60%!! quote]
would be interesting to research how many of these births were to unmarried mothers?

EMS RN 7 · Feb 7, 2008

What it means for us--lower pay, and less time with patients. Judging from what my 2 friends from the UK have told me about the socialized system in place there, the majority of Americans will simply not put up with the hassles true universal health care brings.

Simplepleasures · Feb 7, 2008

In my area, the nurses at the local VA hospital make the most anywhere in the region. Only problem is, the VA system makes you roate shifts. They also have THE BEST by far staffing ratios. And, there is no such thing as a "low census day". Only one patient one the unit? If all nurses scheduled want to stay and work, they can and do.

My sister also works in a VA hospital. She has only worked there for a couple of years after working in LTC for most of her career, she has told me she wishes she would'nt have believed all the hype about poor wages and working conditions in the VA, because her pension would have been even better than it will be now. Job satisfaction and care is better than any LTC she ever worked in.

BlueRidgeHomeRN · Feb 7, 2008

the majority of americans will simply not put up with the hassles true universal health care brings.

why--what's wrong with eight to twelve bed wards, waiting 4 hours for general appointments, waiting 4 months for a lap choley, and being treated as an annoyance rather than a customer (although the latter may be a poor example!) :crying2:

graysonret · Feb 7, 2008

If you have been following healthcare in Canada, England and Australia, etc., you would notice how it is overburdened, politically correct and failing. Brits are heading to India to get their operations now...less wait time. MRIs are now at least 8 months. Want to wait 8 months after hearing you may have a tumor? Just recently premie twins were born in a small hospital in Montana. The Canadian mother couldn't find a place to have them properly. Government control of any industry is a failure...history proves that. Socialism just doesn't work, like the free enterprise system. Deregulate and let the market compete. Always works. As far as being a nurse under government healthcare....no. I respect my patients too much to have to see them suffer under such a system. There is even some talk about reassigning nurses into areas that are understaffed...whether you like it or not. Sorry, I'm out of here, if that comes.

BlueRidgeHomeRN · Feb 7, 2008

just recently premie twins were born in a small hospital in montana. the canadian mother couldn't find a place to have them properly. government control of any industry is a failure...history proves that. .

here's the link: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,300939,00,html

was going to make this point as well--are americans ready to let 24 week twins and 93 year olds on dialysis, tpn, and a vent die without a lawsuit so that everyone has a pcp?? :cry:

didn't think so..