Answered Conundrum Next Conundrum
Would the US be better off on a universal health care system?
"The United States is the only industrialized nation that does not guarantee access to health care as a right of citizenship. " Would its citizens benefit more from universal health care or are there better reasons to maintain the existing system?
Source: http://cthealth.server101.com/the_case_for_universal_health_care_in_the_united_states.htm
Interesting Question?
Yes (0)
No (0)
Source: http://cthealth.server101.com/the_case_for_universal_health_care_in_the_united_states.htm
- In Health and Fitness |
- |
- Report |
-
Share
RSS
Best Answer Chosen by Asker
Marked as Best!
October 31, 2009 01:24 AM
Helpful Answer?
(2)
(0)
Permalink |
Report
The notion of universal health care, although sounding nice and Utopian, in reality goes against the notion of equal opportunity and personal responsibility.
The argument is often heard that it's not fair for people to be without health insurance, that it's unfair that in a country as rich as the U.S. people should have to go ill. Is is sad from a humanitarian point of view, yes. Is it fair, yes. I can't fathom how people can plan for everything, up to their personal entertainment, before they even begin to consider or plan for the health and safety of themselves and their families. Be they in whatever segment of society, it is sadly the norm that people would rather enter into contracts to purchase cars, personal luxuries that over their lifetimes total more than whatever medical treatment would have cost, than to plan accordingly for their health care. But, when illness comes, then and only then is it time to complain, regret and insist that it is their right as Americans to be healed.
I spend a lot of time living in the U.S. although I am from abroad. I have seen and lived through your health care system as I have through my country of origin which is socialized. Believe me, you don't realize what you have, please don't sacrifice it just to see how valuable it actually is.
Any form of universal health care, no matter how well intentioned, removes great elements of choice from those who have taken forward planning measures for their health, and removes the incentives of personal responsibility from the rest.
To me the U.S. symbolizes personal liberty, individual freedom. That means you can reach as far as your potential allows. It also means that your personal well being rests on you as well. Liberty and responsibility always go hand in hand.
I see guaranteeing "rights" outside of this select box is dangerous. In my home country our constitution is filled with page after page of "rights" of the citizen. Our constitution is lengthier than yours, but I assure you, there is less freedom there than the US.
Universal coverage inevitably is an attempt to reward the less responsible at the expense of those who are responsible. In the end, the consequence is that both suffer.
The argument is often heard that it's not fair for people to be without health insurance, that it's unfair that in a country as rich as the U.S. people should have to go ill. Is is sad from a humanitarian point of view, yes. Is it fair, yes. I can't fathom how people can plan for everything, up to their personal entertainment, before they even begin to consider or plan for the health and safety of themselves and their families. Be they in whatever segment of society, it is sadly the norm that people would rather enter into contracts to purchase cars, personal luxuries that over their lifetimes total more than whatever medical treatment would have cost, than to plan accordingly for their health care. But, when illness comes, then and only then is it time to complain, regret and insist that it is their right as Americans to be healed.
I spend a lot of time living in the U.S. although I am from abroad. I have seen and lived through your health care system as I have through my country of origin which is socialized. Believe me, you don't realize what you have, please don't sacrifice it just to see how valuable it actually is.
Any form of universal health care, no matter how well intentioned, removes great elements of choice from those who have taken forward planning measures for their health, and removes the incentives of personal responsibility from the rest.
To me the U.S. symbolizes personal liberty, individual freedom. That means you can reach as far as your potential allows. It also means that your personal well being rests on you as well. Liberty and responsibility always go hand in hand.
I see guaranteeing "rights" outside of this select box is dangerous. In my home country our constitution is filled with page after page of "rights" of the citizen. Our constitution is lengthier than yours, but I assure you, there is less freedom there than the US.
Universal coverage inevitably is an attempt to reward the less responsible at the expense of those who are responsible. In the end, the consequence is that both suffer.
| Asker's Rating: |
(2)
(0)
Permalink |
Report
Reply
Other Answers (4)
October 30, 2009 03:56 AM
(0)
(0)
Permalink |
Report
Not with Government involvement it won't. By the time congress by adding all their little perks (pork spending stuff) into it the so called universal health care system will be nothing more then an expensive way for us without money to see a doctor.
Helpful Answer?
(0)
(0)
Permalink |
Report
Reply
October 30, 2009 03:06 PM
If we can't trust the government to handle programs isn't that not so much an argument against Universal Heath care so much as an argument against our system of government? EX. If we can't trust them to manage programs isn't that an underlying issue that needs to be addressed? If we can't trust them with Health Care why trust them with Education or the Military?
Report
October 30, 2009 02:59 PM
(0)
(0)
Permalink |
Report
Better off YES, is it my favorite solution NO.
Weakonomics highlights the pros & cons of this solution.
Sample Pro:
"The United States spends more on health care as a percentage of GDP than any other developed nation. Countries that have some kind of universal coverage generally spend less. This is because the costs of a universal system are less than private. Drugs can be purchased in greater bulk, prices for services can be negotiated at a lower rate due to the larger pool, and a large singular system would reduce the overhead involved in processing insurance and medical services."
Sample Con
"Competition rocks. Competition fosters innovation. There is a reason pharmaceuticals and biotechnology are two of the fastest growing industries in the United States. There is some serious money to be made with a breakthrough product. Universal health care funded by the government would really hold back the potential for new medical breakthroughs because the government would insist on sharing the breakthrough, to the detriment of the company’s profits. This would end up with these companies leaving the industry. No profit to be made, no reason to invest. Competition in the medical community has done much to help support the American economy over the past couple of decades. So much so that our GDP growth outpaces other developed countries with universal health care systems."
http://weakonomics.com/2009/06/08/the-pros-and-cons-of-universal-health-care-in-the-united-states%C2%A0/
Personally I like a French style system that has underlying universal coverage as well as room for complementary insurance coverage.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/9994.php
Helpful Answer?
Weakonomics highlights the pros & cons of this solution.
Sample Pro:
"The United States spends more on health care as a percentage of GDP than any other developed nation. Countries that have some kind of universal coverage generally spend less. This is because the costs of a universal system are less than private. Drugs can be purchased in greater bulk, prices for services can be negotiated at a lower rate due to the larger pool, and a large singular system would reduce the overhead involved in processing insurance and medical services."
Sample Con
"Competition rocks. Competition fosters innovation. There is a reason pharmaceuticals and biotechnology are two of the fastest growing industries in the United States. There is some serious money to be made with a breakthrough product. Universal health care funded by the government would really hold back the potential for new medical breakthroughs because the government would insist on sharing the breakthrough, to the detriment of the company’s profits. This would end up with these companies leaving the industry. No profit to be made, no reason to invest. Competition in the medical community has done much to help support the American economy over the past couple of decades. So much so that our GDP growth outpaces other developed countries with universal health care systems."
http://weakonomics.com/2009/06/08/the-pros-and-cons-of-universal-health-care-in-the-united-states%C2%A0/
Personally I like a French style system that has underlying universal coverage as well as room for complementary insurance coverage.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/9994.php
(0)
(0)
Permalink |
Report
Reply
October 31, 2009 10:30 PM
(0)
(0)
Permalink |
Report
Rather than spending money on a universal system, I prefer the concept of using whatever means available to create further competition in the medical industry. It's all just too expensive. Whether you pay it or the government pays it for you, the cost is still the same. Why not invest in companies dedicated to cutting the fat out of the industry? When cheaper solutions come in, companies with high priced products can either adapt or go bankrupt. I'm not sure "Wal-martizing" the industry is exactly the term I want to use, but definitely something similar.
Helpful Answer?
(0)
(0)
Permalink |
Report
Reply
November 03, 2009 05:03 PM
(1)
(0)
Permalink |
Report
Oh gosh no, My boyfriend is from Australia where they have a universal health plan. Let me tell you it sucks.
Do you really want to go on a waiting list for surgery if its not an emergency situation? it will happen with the universal plan,
The general hospitals there are so busy, these are the ones that treat the people on the universal plan. As a freelance writer last year I did a story on a woman who lost a baby in the bathroom of the ER waiting room, in Australia. The bay was born alive and was heard crying (still attached) as she was wheeled thru the Er waiting department, but died in the room while mom was getting settled. Do we really want that stuff here?
My boyfriends father was in the hospital, family needed to sit with him, doing bathing and other aide work, and bring him meals because he was on the universal system. this was over there but this is what they are trying to bring here.
We just need to supply those who cannot afford it with med insurance, if work supplies it but it is so expensive subsidize it. I did not have health insurance when I needed it last month for the heart attacks, but I was still treated and admitted. The hospital had a charity case I can apply too, and i ave applied for the med card which will go back and pay the bills.
Helpful Answer?
Do you really want to go on a waiting list for surgery if its not an emergency situation? it will happen with the universal plan,
The general hospitals there are so busy, these are the ones that treat the people on the universal plan. As a freelance writer last year I did a story on a woman who lost a baby in the bathroom of the ER waiting room, in Australia. The bay was born alive and was heard crying (still attached) as she was wheeled thru the Er waiting department, but died in the room while mom was getting settled. Do we really want that stuff here?
My boyfriends father was in the hospital, family needed to sit with him, doing bathing and other aide work, and bring him meals because he was on the universal system. this was over there but this is what they are trying to bring here.
We just need to supply those who cannot afford it with med insurance, if work supplies it but it is so expensive subsidize it. I did not have health insurance when I needed it last month for the heart attacks, but I was still treated and admitted. The hospital had a charity case I can apply too, and i ave applied for the med card which will go back and pay the bills.
(1)
(0)
Permalink |
Report
Reply
Answer this Question
View All Health and Fitness QuestionsAsk a Conundrum
Please visit these retailers to purchase Conundrum or find the wine at these fine restaurants:
-
1991 St Helena Hwy
-
699 St Helena Hwy
-
1115 Main St
-
1321 Main St
-
@ninasfeet @davidcook i see you a cakebread and raise you a caymus http://bit.ly/aA5O9s
10 a.m. March 19th, 2010 -
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ... http://bit.ly/cP95OV
8:43 a.m. March 19th, 2010 -
Dinner @ Bandera with an '07 bottle of Caymus w/my baybay xxx
11:27 p.m. March 18th, 2010 -
RT @ToriMarriner: We have a few spots left for Caymus Duckhorn dinner the 24th- To salivate over the menu : www.victoriagastropub.com
10:54 a.m. March 18th, 2010 -
We have a few spots left for Caymus Duckhorn dinner the 24th- To salivate over the menu : www.victoriagastropub.com
9:41 a.m. March 18th, 2010