Do you support Nationalized Healthcare?

ebrown, You are a good example of why I believe in universal health care for all Americans. It angers me that our government has no problem spending 150 billion on Iraq, but refuses to do anything for our own citizens. The recent drug plan that congress signed into law is also a bad deal for our seniors, because many will pay more than their benefits, and there will be no coverage between $2,200 and $3,500 (approx). It's a sham, but Americans do not educate ourselves enough to understand why our government does not comply with our needs. Many are going to find out when privatization occurs in the not so distant future, and universal health care has no hope in our future. It's disgusting!

I've heard Canada's health care system isn't working out too well. I've heard it can take almost two months to get in to see a specialist if you need one. Their system seems good for a bandaid and a pill but anything more serious and there is a several months long waiting list. As a result, many Canadians have been coming to the US for the specialized care they need. Same with Britain.
http://www.ncpa.org/iss/hea/2003/pd111203b.html

My experiences with HMO's has been extremely unsatisfactory. I don't like them. I don't like the quality of care and the doctors seem like they have no humane interest in taking care of people. I can diagonose my own health problems better than they can and the only reason I even to see a doctor now days is just to get a prescription. Health care is a racket.

How many have gone to doctor recently only to have them prescribe an anti-depressant? Doctors are big on pushing anti-depressants lately. They must get a lot of kick-backs from the drug companies for doing so. I think its a government plot to get the population sedated on anti-depressants so they won't mind so much when the military takes over.

So, I thought I'd peak in again on this topic !

Osso and ebrown_p: yes, you are 2 right-on examples.

This must not be looked at from such a right-wing POV, eg I've made mine, you don't deserve yours unless you pay for it which = capitalism worked for me, you must be defective!

For me, the empathy POV is enough.

For the right-wingers, again, please, look at healthcare for all as 'insurance' against your families being infected by some hideous contagious disease.

I just will NEVER see how people can begrudge other people the basic human necessities of life!

Amen, Suzette!

Thank you, edgarblythe!

May all Americans be able to give thanks for a new healthcare policy next Thanksgiving...I wish...

I heard some great arguments yesterday on NPR in favor of separating healthcare costs from employers. Whichever side you're on, both employers and employees would benefit from casting off this heavy load and freeing employees from worry about whether they can take their benefits with them when they change jobs.

And I'm always stunned at how opposition to universal health care behaves as though we have to choose whether to adopt Canada's or Britain's or Sweden's or someone else's system. In a country with this many brains, you'd think we could design a uniquely intelligent system which would favor everyone.

And I also think we have to take healthcare out of the realm of consumerism. The overkill -- the for-profit groups which send out trucks with machinery and con people into thinking this or that wonder-test ("step over here, for only $135 plus tax we can test your kidneys' effectiveness") -- is enlarging our expectatations without improving our health or attitudes in exactly the same way any advertising does. If Cousin Sue has her breasts checked every week, then we should too...

I thought I was the only oddball refusing assorted tests and drugs, but I find I'm part of a rapidly growing crowd who are looking at medical "care" in the US and saying, "Bullshit!!"

Tartarin: right on, amen, whatever, THANK YOU!!!

The problem with that, in my opinion, is that the system is now set up where there is no competition among insurance companies, and the insurance industry ceased being a customer service industry long ago, no matter what kind of lip service they give to it, because they don't have to compete. "You need insurance. We have it. Pay what we demand, take what you get, or do without" That's the order of the day.

The people in charge of our insurance system need to be at the lowest level of hell along with Hitler when they die in my opinion.

I take that back. the lowest level of hell is too good for them. When Satan is tossed into the lake of fire they need to be strapped to his back.

Do we get to watch, Bi?

Probably from a closer vantage point than we'd care for.... :wink:

I agree BPB, the insurance industry needs an enema, but I don't know if the world could stand that much crap flowing at once.

Corporations don't need to be paying all or part of our premiums, government don't need to be buying prescriptions for the elderly. Our health care insurance and health care choices should be a personal responsibility just like auto insurance. Until it's put back in our hands where we can shop for the best deal, it is going to be completely out of our control and barely affordable, just the way they like it, with us helpless on our knees.

We should model our health care system after the Canadian model. That is all I have to say. No, I am not going to support that in any way.

brand x, well put...Unfortunately auto insurance is fast becoming as efficient a rape of the public as helath.....

Not to mention homeowners'. Mine just went up 37%.

yep, homeowners too...I had a claim from both Fran and Floyd and State Farm...who had sent out letters after Fran and Floyd promising that those claims would not be held against policy holders reneged and canceled us...we now pay twice as much for a policy that covers the structure only, no contents coverage. when the tree fell in our pool it is not covered and the pool lost so much water one of the sides is beginning to collapse. It's going to be over 4000.00 out of pocket to fix it. those guys can go to hell too, State Farm at the top of the list.

Yup. Mine is State Farm too. I had my policy checked by another agent and he said, however, they were all the same.

Texas legislature and Insurance Commission are "taking a look at this..." And yes, they are controlled by venal Republicans. However, a lot of idjit Republicans homeowners will get hit by this as well, so there may be some action.

What most people miss are all the negatives to the "drug benefit" that congress passed. Many seniors think it's a good program, but they're going to find out it's going to cost them as much or more when it takes effect in 2006. For starters, their premium is going up over $400 per year. There's really no coverage for the first $1,000 if we factor in the premium. If a senior spends $4,000 for drugs, their combined co-pay and premium will be 75 percent. The real benefit kicks in when the recipient pays over 15,000 for drugs where the government picks up 55 percent of the cost. Bah humbug; too many stupid people in this world. The priviate insurers and the drug companies are going to make out like a bandit - legally.

CI -- That's why I said (in the economy thread) that a few months into the program, the truth will emerge and a lot of people will get really mad. Hurrah... That should occur just before election 2004.

Tartar, It won't happen in 2004, because the benefit doesn't kick in until 2006. Bush has succeeded in the first step toward privatization of our health care, and most seniors don't know the difference. They think they're getting a good drug benefit.