will universal healthcare ( in the usa) cut RN pay?

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I been hearing this debate off and on for a long time about how if Obama gets universal healthcare to go ( if he gets elected of course)though in the US that nursing pay will be cut dramatically. I would think this has to do with the fact that we would all be working for the government and that there will no longer be competition. There are many people in my nursing class that said they will leave nursing if thats the case. I also talked to several doctors that said the same thing about medicine in general. Im just curious if anyone has some good info about this. Thanks

Is he gonna wave a magic wand and make it happen?

Vote for Obama/Biden. Biden has supported increasing RN wages.
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Just vote for the person Bill and Hillary Clinton are gonna vote for. That would be John McCain of course.

:sniff:sooooooooooooooooo sad,I dont like any of the choices.What to do?:rolleyes:
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Specializes in Med-Tele, Internal Med PCU.
So would this punishment also apply to people who felt they were healthy and didn't get annual physicals only to find out during a massive heart attack that they had high blood pressure and high cholesterol? Would you say "no CABG for you"?

Probably not to that degree. Mainly this would apply to noncompliance cases. The smoker that after counseling support is unsuccessful at quitting, the alcohol abuser that continues to drink, the morbidly obese person that continues to overeat and remains sedentary.

Yes, it is a very tough stance, but look around your floor at many of the frequent fliers. What are some of the common issues, A-poor or no insurance, B-noncompliance in their treatment regimine, C-working poor financial status.

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, Surgical ICU, Medical ICU.

Personally I think neither is the answer. I think we just need to trim the fat and quit being so wasteful with goods and services. I agree with NOT offering people who drink/smoke the same treatments as someone who never did those things. I think all children under the age of 18 should not have to pay for healthcare. I think you should get perks for participating in preventative treatment and you should get cuts in your bill if something does happen to you should you need care. Insurance companies should offer more cuts in pay for those who live a healthy lifestyle and those who drink/smoke/are obese should pay more as they are likely to have more complications. I think palliative care should be the only option for proven futile cases unless you are willing to pay out of pocket and up front. Lets constitute a change that is a bit of both systems.

And I dont really know one way or another if RN pay would be cut, but I think it would stagnate.

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Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.
YAWN. Perhaps this was the forum you were looking for http://www.dailykos.com/

By the way were gonna steal the next election as well with our Texas made electronic voting machines. Me and Karl Rove have been up all night reprogramming them.

Pleasant site, even though I'm not the blogger type.

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Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.
Probably not to that degree. Mainly this would apply to noncompliance cases. The smoker that after counseling support is unsuccessful at quitting, the alcohol abuser that continues to drink, the morbidly obese person that continues to overeat and remains sedentary.

Yes, it is a very tough stance, but look around your floor at many of the frequent fliers. What are some of the common issues, A-poor or no insurance, B-noncompliance in their treatment regimine, C-working poor financial status.

Who are you voting for to place on the exalted panel of decision makers of who does and who doesn't qualify for treatment. Curious minds would like to know

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The one thing about smoking and drinking you have to factor in is that people who buy these products do pay extremely high taxes on those products. Several years ago I remember hearing about a study that stated the taxes paid on cigarettes more than offset the cost of smoking related illnesses. Will see if I can locate such a study.

Probably not to that degree. Mainly this would apply to noncompliance cases. The smoker that after counseling support is unsuccessful at quitting, the alcohol abuser that continues to drink, the morbidly obese person that continues to overeat and remains sedentary.

Yes, it is a very tough stance, but look around your floor at many of the frequent fliers. What are some of the common issues, A-poor or no insurance, B-noncompliance in their treatment regimine, C-working poor financial status.

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Don't worry the cut in your pay will be offset by the increase in your taxes. Socialism always brings everyone (except those making the rules) down to the lowest common denominator. So get ready for massive tax increases and very stagnant wages.

I work for an insurance company. You have no idea the infrastructure that goes into the workings of the insurance companies. CEOs, doctors, big fancy buildings, paperwork to review claims, and the more paperwork to deny them. The hoops that they people jump throught to receive the care that they paying for to be reviewed and denied. The pubic had no idea.

I have no trouble believing that 30% of our healthcare dollars goes to insurance companies to run their businesses. I personally think that it is even more than that.

You have to work in the industry to believe it. Seeing is believing!

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

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Back on topic....

I'm a first-year RN. In Canada, my starting rate was $30 and change. Here in a mid-sized city in WI, I'm making $25. I know that's not a 1:1 comparison, but from what I read here, US nurses' wages vary a lot, while Canadian nurses tend to have more uniform wages, in the $30-50/hour range.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care/Neonatal ICU.
So would this punishment also apply to people who felt they were healthy and didn't get annual physicals only to find out during a massive heart attack that they had high blood pressure and high cholesterol? Would you say "no CABG for you"?

Probably not to that degree. Mainly this would apply to noncompliance cases. The smoker that after counseling support is unsuccessful at quitting, the alcohol abuser that continues to drink, the morbidly obese person that continues to overeat and remains sedentary.

Yes, it is a very tough stance, but look around your floor at many of the frequent fliers. What are some of the common issues, A-poor or no insurance, B-noncompliance in their treatment regimine, C-working poor financial status.

I don't totally disagree with your statement. I'm wondering who decides what is noncompliance and what is ignorance and what is apathy. I have heard people say "A full arrest just died in the ER and he was only 58 and had no history." But then it comes out that the man had never gone to the doctor. So "no history" doesn't mean healthy. It could just mean that they had never been to the doctor.

What happens to the coverage of a non-smoking spouse who lives with a smoker? Are their benefits cut because of the actions of someone they live with?

Trust me, I get frustrated by noncompliance but I'm not sure if or how it should be regulated and penalized.

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All of the Political "A" list touting UHC, HMMM. Has anyone ever visited their States General Assembly web sites. Well, whether it be state or federal, If you have a chance look at some of your Reps. look at their track records and the time they have been in office and how looooong it takes to get anything done (bills to law etc.) at the state and federal levels. To many Big players on the lobbying seen, who pay big money to keep things status quo. Your pay will relatively be A.O.K. for at least another 10-15 years. These people will tell the lay person anything to get elected/re-elected to office, they are protecting their jobs. Besides the President has NO power anymore. Do you really think congressman will loose out on all that lobbying money for you or me? Nope! We will not have UHC for a Looooong time.

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Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Urgent Care.

I don't think so...it might cut Doctors and Specialist pay...which would be more than welcomed! LOL!

Mex

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