Do you personally think everyone should have the right to free health care?

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Auric

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
9,591
2
71
lol @ even the suggestion that Iraq was a threat to the USA. Your neighbour with no access to health care is more of a threat. Just wait until the next plague hits and people get sick but don't seek help because they cannot afford it, thus contributing to epidemic.
 

Blayze

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2000
6,152
0
0
Yes I do, or at least lower the costs. Also get more employers to offer some form of insurance...

As one of the millions without insurance I can say that its not our fault that we don't all have insurance. The rates I have been quoted are insane because I'm not 100% healthy. Its honestly cheaper for me to buy my monthly medicine and go to the doctor occasionally. The only thing I'm worried about is if something does happen and I have to go to the hospital.

However if I could afford the rates I've been quoted I would. Not having any insurance scares me, but honestly right now there is nothing I can do about it.
 

Mermaidman

Diamond Member
Sep 4, 2003
7,987
93
91
Ethically?

As a human, I would find it very difficult to deny needed medical care to someone who cannot afford it. Luckily, I'm not running a hospital.
 

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
3
0
Originally posted by: Blayze
Yes I do, or at least lower the costs. Also get more employers to offer some form of insurance...

As one of the millions without insurance I can say that its not our fault that we don't all have insurance. The rates I have been quoted are insane because I'm not 100% healthy. Its honestly cheaper for me to buy my monthly medicine and go to the doctor occasionally. The only thing I'm worried about is if something does happen and I have to go to the hospital.

However if I could afford the rates I've been quoted I would. Not having any insurance scares me, but honestly right now there is nothing I can do about it.

You're just a lazy bum who deserves to die if you get sick. If you were a hard working American you'd have health insurance. :|

</sarcasm>
 

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
Right? No.

I do believe that the system is extremely fvcked up and needs some serious reform which would make it much more affordable for all, but that's a different question all-together.
 

adairusmc

Diamond Member
Jul 24, 2006
7,095
78
91
Originally posted by: Number1
Originally posted by: Journer
Originally posted by: broon
Yes. Health insurance should be free...it's my right. It's also my right to free gasoline and auto insurance. I should also get my water free because I'd die without it. My electricity/gas should be free to keep me alive in the frigid cold winter months. I probably should get free groceries because I'd die without food.

#1 post

No it was not.

Actually, yes it was.
 

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Originally posted by: BigJ
Right? No.

I do believe that the system is extremely fvcked up and needs some serious reform which would make it much more affordable for all, but that's a different question all-together.

Why? :confused:

Because his is related to having the right to free healthcare?
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,156
14,591
146
For those who think that (basic) health coverage should NOT be free for ALL Americans, how about taxing health insurance benefits as regular wages, OR doing away with group benefits? Let everyone fend for themselves on health insurance...
As so many of you are wont to say, "Let the market set the price."
 

IGBT

Lifer
Jul 16, 2001
17,969
140
106
..it's not free. the tax payer pays if you don't. Get rid of the cell phones..neck tat's..goofy nose bolt jewlery and other unnecessary and superfluous spending and set prorities to pay your way rather then lean on the tax payer. and if that means you can't afford a family then realize family life is not for everyone.
 

Marinski

Golden Member
Apr 5, 2006
1,051
0
0
classicboxingfights.blogspot.com
Maybe not free but atleast somewhat affordable for certain people. Example: I know someone whos in their first year of law school. They just turned 25 so they can no longer be covered on their parents insurance. This person goes to school full time, going into debt from school. Works 2 days a week to pay for the bills but doesn't work enough to get insurance from work and doesn't make enough to afford decent health care. This person doesn't qualify for state insurance because they don't have any kids. This person has some health problems like psoriasis and a thyroid condition, which requires them to take medications to keep it under control. So, heres a person that goes to school, plans on contributing to society after school, and works towards making a future for themselves, but they don't have access to decent affordable health insurance.
 

Phokus

Lifer
Nov 20, 1999
22,994
779
126
Don't let the American Medical Association strong arm colleges on how many Doctors can enter into Medical school and you'll see the cost of health care drop considerably.

 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,572
971
126
Yes. There are too many uninsured people in this country right now and that ends up costing those of us who do pay for our healthcare more money.

I doubt we'll see any decent proposals though because of the lobbyists for the insurance industry. If we do get something passed it will be full of pork and our government will just fuck it up anyway.

Fundamentally I think it's a good idea though.
 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81
I don't see it as a constitutional right, but I see no problem in a government wanting to cover it's citizens. If reasonable coverage can be provided for individuals in a manner that is affordable for the government, what is the big deal?
 

PlatinumGold

Lifer
Aug 11, 2000
23,168
0
71
frankly i think we will be there very soon.


here is how i think it should be, basic healthcare, provided by general practictioners should be free. emergency rooms up to a certain point should be free.

all specialists paid fee for service.

frankly, considering what GP's make these days, they might be better off taking a salary from the govt.

also, mb work out a system where MD's can work off their student loans by working as GP's for certain period of time before going on to their residency's.

 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Originally posted by: Marinski
Maybe not free but atleast somewhat affordable for certain people. Example: I know someone whos in their first year of law school. They just turned 25 so they can no longer be covered on their parents insurance. This person goes to school full time, going into debt from school. Works 2 days a week to pay for the bills but doesn't work enough to get insurance from work and doesn't make enough to afford decent health care. This person doesn't qualify for state insurance because they don't have any kids. This person has some health problems like psoriasis and a thyroid condition, which requires them to take medications to keep it under control. So, heres a person that goes to school, plans on contributing to society after school, and works towards making a future for themselves, but they don't have access to decent affordable health insurance.

Tell him to cut back on spending or work more.

He can easily get a basic plan for cheap.

Or *gasp* get a part-time job with benefits. So he ABSOUTELY HAS ACCESS to decent affordable health insurance, but choses to do nothing about it.
 

meltdown75

Lifer
Nov 17, 2004
37,548
7
81
I think it should be a mixed system, with the gov't picking up the tab for certain things and other expenses coming out of pocket.

My Dad had a heart attack and subsequent triple-bypass a few years back. He had to wait almost a year for his operation. That whole time, he was on meds and blood thinners, but he was still a ticking time bomb. It just takes too long for stuff to happen under the 100% free system IMHO. The free system also seems to get clogged up with "lifers" and hypochondriacs. If they had to pay for some of the stuff they have done, maybe they wouldn't be clogging up the system so much. That's my 0.02.
 

IGBT

Lifer
Jul 16, 2001
17,969
140
106
Originally posted by: PlatinumGold
frankly i think we will be there very soon.


here is how i think it should be, basic healthcare, provided by general practictioners should be free. emergency rooms up to a certain point should be free.

all specialists paid fee for service.

frankly, considering what GP's make these days, they might be better off taking a salary from the govt.

also, mb work out a system where MD's can work off their student loans by working as GP's for certain period of time before going on to their residency's.


..hilCare will use Kaiser as the model national health care.

 

JS80

Lifer
Oct 24, 2005
26,271
7
81
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: ironwing
Originally posted by: musicetime101
I think free health care to all is a good idea, but this seems impossible.

Not impossible, only difficult. We have to make it a voting issue and elect politicians who will pass it. Right now, despite the rhetoric, it is not a voting issue.

Ummmm, it IS impossible.

There is no such thing as free. Except possibly sunshine and air.

No, sunshine and air cause global warming, you must buy carbon credits in order to enjoy those.
 

Parasitic

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2002
4,000
2
0
I think that there should be some form of national health care but with some fees involved, like Taiwan.
 

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
15,581
1
76

the better question is really should we change the law to allow hospitals to turn away the uninsured for all services including ER.