Inspired by other insurance threads

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Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
38,548
350
126
Originally posted by: Xellos2099
The way people think of health care is a right is exactly the reason why we are in such trouble. The world IS never fair in the first place so don't use the fair card on this. O, that guy got a better car than me, it is not fair.

Another clueless right winger exposing his side as vapid, unable to understand the difference between the basic necessity of healthvare and an extra nice car. Just clueless.
 

hellokeith

Golden Member
Nov 12, 2004
1,664
0
0
Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Originally posted by: hellokeith
So long as innocent human beings are being killed daily out of convenience, there exists no real right to life, and thus you are on your own. Stop whining about your stomach ache, many never even got the chance to breath air or see the sunrise.

Mistakes are made in death penalty cases that is for sure.

That brings up an interesting scenario. Depriving death-row inmates of health care constitutes as cruel and unusual punishment. Depriving death-row inmates 3 square meals a day also constitutes as cruel and unusual punishment.

Thus not only is health care a right to every human, 3 daily meals are also a right and should be provided free of charge by the US Government. It should probably throw in a gym membership too since death-row inmates probably get to work out as well.
 

Perknose

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 9, 1999
46,893
10,714
147
I'm not interested in playing the semantic game of whether health care is a "right" or not, but it certainly is a utilitarian good. A healthy populace benefits us all, and costs less in the long run, too.

A healthy populace is like an educated poplulace is like a well informed populace . . . everybody benefits.
 
Oct 30, 2004
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Is health care a "right"? NO. You cannot have a "right" that requires that someone else be enslaved (losing his rights) in order to provide it to you.

Rather, health care is a great value.
 

quest55720

Golden Member
Nov 3, 2004
1,339
0
0
Originally posted by: Perknose
I'm not interested in playing the semantic game of whether health care is a "right" or not, but it certainly is a utilitarian good. A healthy populace benefits us all, and costs less in the long run, too.

A healthy populace is like an educated poplulace is like a well informed populace . . . everybody benefits.

Here is the problem there is a large segment of the population who don't give a shit about their health. Those people will suck dry the tax payers with high medical costs thanks to not giving a shit. UHC is great in theory but just can't work for this country at this time. Maybe when things change we can look at the issue again.
 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
74,818
6,778
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One more time. If:

"Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control."

And if that statement were true by treaty, as I suggested, could somebody seriously argue that health care isn't a right?
 

bozack

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2000
7,913
12
81
Originally posted by: eleison
In France, from what I heard, it is easier to become a doctor. Because of the AMA, in the US, its harder to become a doctor. This contributes to the limited number of doctors in the US. When medical expenses become cheaper (doctors in the US makes around 150K, doctors in the France makes around 55k due to competition). When the cost of American medical personal, thats the most expensive part of healthcare, goes down, maybe then a nationalized system maybe doable. As of right now, due to the AMA and various other groups that limit the number of medical personal and subsequently inflates their cost, nationalizing healthcare is like trying to give a hot model to every american -- ain't going to happen anytime soon.

the problem is when you start paying doctors the same wages as one would a fast food chain manager then you start getting less talented doctors...plus one would have to assume the cost of medical school goes down as well, as I would be damned if I were to swollow hundreds of thousands in school loans to make 55K.

Mass has state mandated healthcare, and I have yet to meet someone who is happy about it in a lower income job. They are all pissed that the plans are still more money than they want to spend and the coverage sucks

If the govt cannot even deal with Social Security or the whole Mortgage meltdown in a decisive manner I really shudder to think about what they will do to healthcare
 

dmcowen674

No Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
54,889
47
91
www.alienbabeltech.com
Originally posted by: blackangst1

Here's my take. Its not a right, its a need.

A right would be more important things like maybe food...water...clean air.

For those who think health insurance is a right, what do you think about government sponsored food deliveries? Afterall, there are alot of hungry kids in this country, why not set legislation if under a certain income, you get say $100/week for food? (Arbitrary

number) Just go to any store, present your food card, and get $100 bucks in food? Water?

No water you die. Air?

The thing people dont understand, is ANYONE can get insurance (for the most part) through state insurance pools. A friend of mine has used these for the last 10 years or so and gets basic medical stuff at no cost (except for premiums). His premiums in WA state were $21/mo and in TN are now $29/mo. Almost (if not every) state has such plans. Whats wrong with these? Because they have to pay a minimal amount? Its fucking CHEAP! And for emergencies, of course, you dont need health insurance to get treated.

I'd like to keep this civil, but Im curious why people think or dont think health insurance is a "right"

That's a lot of rambling and lying all wrapped up in one post.

It's pretty obvious you are torn as you should be.

You are promoting as most rich Republicans do that poor people should just die.

I bolded your conflict and lies.

People are dying even those that have paid for insurance while going bankruot.

The reason is because your precious heros never get enough.

You do realize that even with paid insurance they stop health care right?

Of course you do and you have been called on the carpet because enough people are negatively affected by this as I said it would happen.
 

Mursilis

Diamond Member
Mar 11, 2001
7,756
11
81
Originally posted by: Rainsford
Originally posted by: OFFascist
You don't have a right to have the government provide you with health care.

You do have the right to go out and negotiate a business arrangement between yourself and people who provide health care though.

No one is entitled to the services of others.

That's as ridiculous an idea as what the far left communist types come up with. Anarchy isn't a valid model for a nation to run on, mostly because it requires exactly the same brainless idealism from all participants as communism does.

He never even mentioned anarchy. You just like battling strawmen.
 

Mursilis

Diamond Member
Mar 11, 2001
7,756
11
81
Originally posted by: Rainsford
Providing basic health care for people is fundamentally about fulfilling the government responsibility to make sure its citizens or those under its protection don't die needlessly.

That's not the gov't's responsibility. Heck, if it were, the gov't could and should prohibit all sorts of behavior, such as smoking, which results in needless deaths. The gov't should ensure only that we do not die unlawfully.
 

chess9

Elite member
Apr 15, 2000
7,748
0
0
Originally posted by: Mursilis
Originally posted by: Rainsford
Providing basic health care for people is fundamentally about fulfilling the government responsibility to make sure its citizens or those under its protection don't die needlessly.

That's not the gov't's responsibility. Heck, if it were, the gov't could and should prohibit all sorts of behavior, such as smoking, which results in needless deaths. The gov't should ensure only that we do not die unlawfully.

If a government has a duty to protect its citizens from unlawful death, why doesn't it have a duty to protect its citizens from disease or injury? Where in the Constitution does it spell out that difference?

-Robert

 

Mursilis

Diamond Member
Mar 11, 2001
7,756
11
81
Originally posted by: chess9
Originally posted by: Mursilis
Originally posted by: Rainsford
Providing basic health care for people is fundamentally about fulfilling the government responsibility to make sure its citizens or those under its protection don't die needlessly.

That's not the gov't's responsibility. Heck, if it were, the gov't could and should prohibit all sorts of behavior, such as smoking, which results in needless deaths. The gov't should ensure only that we do not die unlawfully.

If a government has a duty to protect its citizens from unlawful death, why doesn't it have a duty to protect its citizens from disease or injury? Where in the Constitution does it spell out that difference?

-Robert

If someone's actions are deliberately resulting in your disease or injury, then government (a term which is a misnomer - there is no seperate entity called "government" - government is merely us) should step in to stop that person, but if you just get sick due to natural causes, how is anyone else responsible for, or even able to stop, that? What do you expect me to do, exactly?
 

chess9

Elite member
Apr 15, 2000
7,748
0
0
Originally posted by: Mursilis
Originally posted by: chess9
Originally posted by: Mursilis
Originally posted by: Rainsford
Providing basic health care for people is fundamentally about fulfilling the government responsibility to make sure its citizens or those under its protection don't die needlessly.

That's not the gov't's responsibility. Heck, if it were, the gov't could and should prohibit all sorts of behavior, such as smoking, which results in needless deaths. The gov't should ensure only that we do not die unlawfully.

If a government has a duty to protect its citizens from unlawful death, why doesn't it have a duty to protect its citizens from disease or injury? Where in the Constitution does it spell out that difference?

-Robert

If someone's actions are deliberately resulting in your disease or injury, then government (a term which is a misnomer - there is no seperate entity called "government" - government is merely us) should step in to stop that person, but if you just get sick due to natural causes, how is anyone else responsible for, or even able to stop, that? What do you expect me to do, exactly?

What I would like (I expect nothing.) you to do is give the source of your reasoning. Standing alone, your reasoning is not supported by our Constitution. Why should government protect you from lawbreakers and not germs or viruses? Should government require efficacious medicines only be sold? Should government require that water be purified for drinking? That roads be constructed with safety in mind? That cars be built with safeguards to protect the passengers and others?

What you've done is erected an artificial barrier to nationalized medicine. This is an artificial cultural barrier your brain has accepted, but it's irrational. You accept pure water, safe roads, your fire department, police, school teachers, etc., but you won't accept a doctor employed by the government? I trust you aren't a veteran, like me!

Your position seems weak and untenable in the absence of a supporting framework. You've simply bought the extant orthodoxy of the right wing in America. Republicans opposed Medicare, and are still trying to kill it. LOL. McCain has opposed almost every single bill for veterans because he's opposed to the federal government's involvement in providing care for soldiers. It's an irrational fear and silliness, IMHO. Yet, McCain is perfectly willing to provide a bailout for homeowners if it means he will get elected, and he will ship $700 billion to Wall Street to socialize Wall Street.

Consistency, thou art a jewel!

-Robert

 

winnar111

Banned
Mar 10, 2008
2,847
0
0
Originally posted by: Mursilis
Originally posted by: Rainsford
Providing basic health care for people is fundamentally about fulfilling the government responsibility to make sure its citizens or those under its protection don't die needlessly.

That's not the gov't's responsibility. Heck, if it were, the gov't could and should prohibit all sorts of behavior, such as smoking, which results in needless deaths. The gov't should ensure only that we do not die unlawfully.

When was the government's duty to ensure we don't die unlawfully established?

http://www.allsafedefense.com/news/CopsDontProtect.htm
 

chess9

Elite member
Apr 15, 2000
7,748
0
0
Originally posted by: winnar111
Originally posted by: Mursilis
Originally posted by: Rainsford
Providing basic health care for people is fundamentally about fulfilling the government responsibility to make sure its citizens or those under its protection don't die needlessly.

That's not the gov't's responsibility. Heck, if it were, the gov't could and should prohibit all sorts of behavior, such as smoking, which results in needless deaths. The gov't should ensure only that we do not die unlawfully.

When was the government's duty to ensure we don't die unlawfully established?

http://www.allsafedefense.com/news/CopsDontProtect.htm

Why is why that 7-2 vote would have been different if a Dem had been elected Prez.

-Robert
 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
74,818
6,778
126
Originally posted by: winnar111
Originally posted by: Mursilis
Originally posted by: Rainsford
Providing basic health care for people is fundamentally about fulfilling the government responsibility to make sure its citizens or those under its protection don't die needlessly.

That's not the gov't's responsibility. Heck, if it were, the gov't could and should prohibit all sorts of behavior, such as smoking, which results in needless deaths. The gov't should ensure only that we do not die unlawfully.

When was the government's duty to ensure we don't die unlawfully established?

http://www.allsafedefense.com/news/CopsDontProtect.htm

Who cares. It's the government's duty to ensure we live up to treaties we sign. Your agrument against a right to healthcare would sound silly if we put "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control." in a treaty and signed it.
 

alchemize

Lifer
Mar 24, 2000
11,486
0
0
Insurance is merely a vehicle to receive and fund healthcare. Healthcare insurance is a very modern concept, healthcare has been around since man has. Our founding fathers certainly didn't think healthcare was a right, so by extension neither do I.

The fundamental problem facing us and the world isn't healthcare. It's technology and it's impact on it.

Healthcare used to be constrained by the availabillity of a doctor, and the primitive tools and drugs available. Now those limitations have been removed, and most anything can be cured/treated/improved upon if we only throw more money at it. Until you get at the root problem of "unlimited" healthcare, we'll only continue to spiral downward.

 

winnar111

Banned
Mar 10, 2008
2,847
0
0
Originally posted by: chess9
Originally posted by: winnar111
Originally posted by: Mursilis
Originally posted by: Rainsford
Providing basic health care for people is fundamentally about fulfilling the government responsibility to make sure its citizens or those under its protection don't die needlessly.

That's not the gov't's responsibility. Heck, if it were, the gov't could and should prohibit all sorts of behavior, such as smoking, which results in needless deaths. The gov't should ensure only that we do not die unlawfully.

When was the government's duty to ensure we don't die unlawfully established?

http://www.allsafedefense.com/news/CopsDontProtect.htm

Why is why that 7-2 vote would have been different if a Dem had been elected Prez.

-Robert

1. It woudn't have.
2. You didn't actually read the article, since it mentions the precedent to the line of thinking dates back to 1856.
 

winnar111

Banned
Mar 10, 2008
2,847
0
0
Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Who cares. It's the government's duty to ensure we live up to treaties we sign. Your agrument against a right to healthcare would sound silly if we put "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control." in a treaty and signed it.

Why don't we just sign a law say that everyone can have everything they want?
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
126
Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Originally posted by: ElFenix
medical care is a scarce good and must be rationed in some form or another.

Health care is scarce by design.

health care would involve people actually quitting smoking, eating right, and exercising. people don't want that. they want a pill that cures all. and the doctors have done a damn fine job over the past century convincing people that they are the way to health. but all doctors can do is practice medicine.

anyway, medical care is scare because there are only so many doctors to go around, there are only so many nurses to go around, and there are only so many other resources that may be converted into medical care. medical care is scarce just like all other goods. economics 101. the resources available to man are finite and must be rationed.


Originally posted by: chess9

Why is why that 7-2 vote would have been different if a Dem had been elected Prez.

-Robert
even if gore had been elected you can't assume he'd have had the opportunity to appoint a new justice to the supreme court by the time that case was decided. between the appointment of breyer and the death of rehnquist later that year, the court was the same for 11 straight years.
 

sactoking

Diamond Member
Sep 24, 2007
7,649
2,925
136
in·sur·ance /?n'???r?ns, -'??r-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[in-shoor-uhns, -shur-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
?noun
1. the act, system, or business of insuring property, life, one's person, etc., against loss or harm arising in specified contingencies, as fire, accident, death, disablement, or the like, in consideration of a payment proportionate to the risk involved.
2. coverage by contract in which one party agrees to indemnify or reimburse another for loss that occurs under the terms of the contract.
3. the contract itself, set forth in a written or printed agreement or policy.
4. the amount for which anything is insured.
5. an insurance premium.
6. any means of guaranteeing against loss or harm: Taking vitamin C is viewed as an insurance against catching colds.

Health insurance is NOT a 'right'.
1. If it were, the consideration would not be in proportion to the risk, as "UHC"-style plans are inevitably subsidized by other revenue sources. Additionally, on an individual basis, many people would be subsidizing few.
2. Contractual relationships are not a right.
3. Not a right
4. Not pertinent
5. Not pertinent
6. Maybe the closest way you can define 'insurance' as a 'right'. It still fails, though, as even other 'rights', like help from the police, often are not guaranteed.
 

Jaskalas

Lifer
Jun 23, 2004
35,944
10,281
136
Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Originally posted by: winnar111
The first reason to have a government is perfectly well enshrined in our Constitution.

Well the Constitution deals with honoring treaties so we should make one with Canada saying just what I said above, "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control." and then we would have to honor it and it would be our law.

?To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specifically drawn around the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power, no longer susceptible of any definition.?

Sieg heil Fuhrer Moonbeam.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
126
not to mention the Court would see that as an inherently domestic concern and not allow it to be enforced as a treaty. it's been done before.
 

Jaskalas

Lifer
Jun 23, 2004
35,944
10,281
136
Originally posted by: ElFenix
not to mention the Court would see that as an inherently domestic concern and not allow it to be enforced as a treaty. it's been done before.

That was just his example of a means to the end. They already found the infinite powers clause with "necessary and proper", thus negating the rest of the constitution in their view.
 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
74,818
6,778
126
I'm convinced we could get it to pass. We just need to get it into treaty form, say with Canada, like I said, but I bet nations all over the world would sign on.