Do you think healthcare should be mandatory for America?

[n yusef]

Originally posted by: JLGatsby
If you think healthcare if expensive now, wait until it's free and every trailer park and housing project druggy goes to the doctor for every ache and pain and you, the taxpayer has to foot the bill.

What about the housing project druggy's 8 year old kid? I think that anyone who is under 18 should get free healthcare, because whether or not their parent(s) made mistakes in their life, they don't deserve to be responsible.

 

[JLGatsby]

Originally posted by: n yusef
What about the housing project druggy's 8 year old kid? I think that anyone who is under 18 should get free healthcare, because whether or not their parent(s) made mistakes in their life, they don't deserve to be responsible.

When discussing this I have said in the past that I believe children should be given free healthcare until the age of 18.

But not adults. No way, no how. Adults need to take care of themselves, they're adults. If you cannot afford healthcare (as an adult), you don't deserve it, end of story.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: MX2times
Thats right, I am talking government/employer funded by our tax dollars people.

No poll, thats too easy. Discussion please

Yes.

Nationalized health insurance would be a lifesaver for the 40+ million Americans without health insurance.

It would be a relief for Americans facing layoffs and the prospect of unaffordable COBRA payments.

It would spark a boom of small businesses. Would-be small business owners wouldn't have to worry about losing health insurance when they embark on setting up their business.

It would relieve the burden of health insurance from businesses of all sizes, making American business more competitive with the rest of the world.

It would be a great relief for care providers such as hospitals and doctors. No more worries about collecting big bills or dealing with a dozen insurance providers. One 2 doctor practice I provide tech support to has 3 full time billing people to deal with the insurance providers.

The national health insurance system would have to be set up with clear limits. I wouldn't support covering procedures that aren't medically indicated. For example, no coverage for plastic surgery that isn't reconstructive. Audits would have to be conducted often and violators fined.

And yes, I'd fully support raising the FICA tax to cover this program. Taxes vs. insurance? Both are money out of my paycheck... I'd rather my money go to cover more pople.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: JLGatsby
If you think healthcare if expensive now, wait until it's free and every trailer park and housing project druggy goes to the doctor for every ache and pain and you, the taxpayer has to foot the bill.

Uh, they do already. Ever visit an ER? The ER is the doctor's office of America's uninsured. You're paying for them already and its damned inefficient.

 

[JLGatsby]

Originally posted by: EatSpam
Uh, they do already. Ever visit an ER? The ER is the doctor's office of America's uninsured. You're paying for them already and its damned inefficient.

I know, but if you gave them more healthcare, medication, scheduled doctor visits, it would compound the cost and problem even more.

 

[GasX]

I like the current system where illegal immigrants and the chronically unemployed get health care for free, the rich and well of get what they need through insurance and paying cash and the lower middle class get broke from it.

Perfect!

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: Dulanic
I am semi bias in this question, do I think it should given to everyone even if they never work? No. But take me for example.... I have a life long disease that will never go away (unless a cure is found). I am stuck in one job and can not change, I am on medication that runs well over 1000 a month. So my choices are to stay with the job I have now. I never went to college because of my issues, I got my job in retail in high school, and can't change. I could never afford insurance on my own, with my condition it would cost way too much. And I can't switch jobs because every place has pre-exsisting condition clauses where I wouldnt be covered for 6 months to a year, plus the usual 3 month waiting period before your elegible for health insurance.

So yes I think there are issues with our health care system, does covering everyone through the goverment make sense? I don't know honestly.

How is this the rest of the population's problem?

Humans survived thousands of years before modern medicine. We'll live.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: Ryan

Originally posted by: Boxxcar
Many countries in western Europe have free medical care and quite frankly, many people still pay out of pocket for private care because the free care is not very good, have long waiting lists for appts and necessary operations, or the doctors are unskilled. Socialized medicine would never work in the US, but I'll tell you what should be done. The US govt needs to place caps on the costs that the medical community charges for service. My wife recently spent three hours in the emergency room at the local hospital. The bill was over $2700! My insurance paid it, but either way you look at it, that's highway robbery!

Exactly! There's a problem when someone has a medical emergency that is out of their control (say - maybe a poor college student), and they must file for bankruptcy and ****** up their credit history because they cannot afford their medical bills.

You can't just wield economic science the way you see fit. Putting caps on costs will make the shortage of doctors even greater. What we need to work on is how to increase the supply of doctors so that we can decrease the pricing pressure the increase in demand makes.

American Medical Assoc (AMA, aka American MAFIA Assoc) controls the number of medical schools. They purposely keep the supply of doctors low so they can make a gagillion dollars per year.

 

[aircooled]

healthcare is a need, not a want. we need roads, we pay taxes for them, we need schools, we pay taxes for them, we need healthcare......

 

[broon]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: Ryan

Originally posted by: Boxxcar
Many countries in western Europe have free medical care and quite frankly, many people still pay out of pocket for private care because the free care is not very good, have long waiting lists for appts and necessary operations, or the doctors are unskilled. Socialized medicine would never work in the US, but I'll tell you what should be done. The US govt needs to place caps on the costs that the medical community charges for service. My wife recently spent three hours in the emergency room at the local hospital. The bill was over $2700! My insurance paid it, but either way you look at it, that's highway robbery!

Exactly! There's a problem when someone has a medical emergency that is out of their control (say - maybe a poor college student), and they must file for bankruptcy and ****** up their credit history because they cannot afford their medical bills.

You can't just wield economic science the way you see fit. Putting caps on costs will make the shortage of doctors even greater. What we need to work on is how to increase the supply of doctors so that we can decrease the pricing pressure the increase in demand makes.

American Medical Assoc (AMA, aka American MAFIA Assoc) controls the number of medical schools. They purposely keep the supply of doctors low so they can make a gagillion dollars per year.

Tinfoil hat time. How about many people can't complete med school cause it's too hard...
Doctors are not overpaid. Healthcare company execs are. If an issue is to be addressed with healthcare in this country, it should be why the providers can tell docs what they can/can't do or perscribe.

 

[broon]

Originally posted by: aircooled
healthcare is a need, not a want. we need roads, we pay taxes for them, we need schools, we pay taxes for them, we need healthcare......

No. It's a want. We want to drive and pay road taxes when we buy a car. We want healthcare so we get a job that provides it.

 

[aircooled]

Originally posted by: broon

Originally posted by: aircooled
healthcare is a need, not a want. we need roads, we pay taxes for them, we need schools, we pay taxes for them, we need healthcare......

No. It's a want. We want to drive and pay road taxes when we buy a car. We want healthcare so we get a job that provides it.

No it's a need. You need healthcare even if you don't have a job.

 

[RCN]

Sure.

Except:
People who smoke shouldn't qualify. (I smoke)

Obese people shouldn't qualify.

There should be a limit on the number of kids you can have.

The government shoud be able to control your paycheck and make sure your priorities are straight.

There should be an upper age limit. No use keeping old people alive just cause we can.

Unemployment decreases benefits and benefits would cease after six months requiring a year of employment to get them back.

There should be lifetime limits.

.......
.......


Anyway I've had health insurance since I was 22 years old and poor.. My friend always complains he can't afford it yet makes more money and has no kids. The difference? I chose a smaller house, cheaper car, a tube TV etc....

 

[TitanDiddly]

FSCK NO

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: JS80
American Medical Assoc (AMA, aka American MAFIA Assoc) controls the number of medical schools. They purposely keep the supply of doctors low so they can make a gagillion dollars per year.

I'd rather the AMA put medical schools through rigorous certification requirements. I don't want my doctor to have gone to "Bob's Medical College and Tattoo Parlor"...

The AMA ensures that doctors meet at least minimum standards... I like it that way, even if it costs more. Cheaper care won't help if the doctors are quacks.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: JLGatsby

Originally posted by: EatSpam
Uh, they do already. Ever visit an ER? The ER is the doctor's office of America's uninsured. You're paying for them already and its damned inefficient.

I know, but if you gave them more healthcare, medication, scheduled doctor visits, it would compound the cost and problem even more.

I doubt it. An average office visit costs a lot less than an ER visit, plus, many of these people have legitimate medical needs. If they were to get proper treatment early, they wouldn't end up in the ER when it gets bad.

Take a guy who has occasional chest pains. He might be in the beginning of heart failure, but wouldn't know without a doctor's visit. If he had insurance, he could go to the doctor and maybe get a cheap prescription. OTOH, if he waits until its really bad, he'll have a heart attck and end up in the ER, costing way more money.

 

[episodic]

Yes absolutely.

 

[LookingGlass]

I would say yes, if, and only if there was a major overhaul of the insurance industry. As it stands right now, it sucks. Plain and simple.

You have to be working, kids covered until 18 yrs of age. Etc. Will we ever see something like this in our life time, who knows.

 

[FoBoT]

too many commies in this thread

 

[Ornery]

1. We've got more morons around here than I first thought!

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: Ornery

1. We've got more morons around here than I first thought!

After 10 years of mismanagement and lawsuits, TennCare now eats up one-third of the state's entire budget and is growing fast. Governor Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, is preparing to pull the plug and return the state to the less lunatic subsidies of Medicaid.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: Ornery

1. We've got more morons around here than I first thought!

Just because Tennessee was stupid about their health care doesn't mean the whole country has to be.

 

[JLGatsby]

Originally posted by: EatSpam
Just because Tennessee was stupid about their health care doesn't mean the whole country has to be.

You really are a political n00b.

If a single state cannot get something right, there is absolutely NO WAY an entire country can get it right.

The more people involved, the more difficult, inefficient, and expensive it becomes. That's the rule for almost everything in government affairs.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

i dont care if other people get sick, and i dont care if they cant afford it

i do care if i have to pay for their healthcare without my consent

so, in a word, no

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: JLGatsby

Originally posted by: EatSpam
Just because Tennessee was stupid about their health care doesn't mean the whole country has to be.

You really are a political n00b.

If a single state cannot get something right, there is absolutely NO WAY an entire country can get it right.

The more people involved, the more difficult, inefficient, and expensive it becomes. That's the rule for almost everything in government affairs.

Not really. I just see successful nationalized health care programs in the rest of the first world. America is the only country greedy and foolish enough to go without.