Universal Healthcare for ALL Americans
 

Remember when Bill Clinton asked Hillary to come up with a plan for Americans?

Remember how Michael Moore was demonized by many for his Documentary Movie Sicko?

I recently rented the movie and thought Moore had some very good points. Looking at the developing crisis in healthcare in the US and the loss of insurance, out of sight drug costs and folks without any health insurance coverage, I believe it is time to re-examine our national priorities and to re-visit Universal healthcare for all. At least folks should view Moore's film and see what has been accomplished in France, England and Canada and Cuba. Maybe there is a better way.

The old arguments about socialized medicine no longer are relevant in my opinion. What happened to the promises to give all of us the same coverage as the members of Congress? We would be fortunate to have the same treatment as do the detainees in Gitmo, according to Moore.

I would hope that seasonal visitors from England, Canada and France would offer their opinions based on their experiences, to this discussion.

I'm a right wing wacko from way back.... apple pie, guns, a pick-up truck, a cold beer and country music.... BUT... our health care system is BROKEN... it is a fragmented, expensive, inefficient system. I (gulp) support a single payor system similar to Canada/Great Britain.

I am listening Dr. H and I do respect your opinion, but gosh this is hard to absorb.

Hollywood Beach, Florida is awash in Canadians during the winter. I work amongst them. We have spoken about this topic many times. They pretty much agree...their medical system is great, as long as you never get sick.

Though I am a U.S. citizen, my family is from Canada; in fact, I have cousins from Montreal who winter in Hollywood Beach. Most of my cousins are in a financial position to be able to afford private health insurance on top of what the government provides; however, none of them (all in varying degrees of health) have it as they all say the system works fine and they don't need the additional.

Here's a story from within the U.S.: I know someone who must go for a blood test every two weeks or so for a potentially life-threatening condition, a 'stat' test meaning that the blood-drawing facility must send someone to pick up the specimen immediately to take it for processing. The cost for this test is about $28. However, the patient's insurance company has 'negotiated' with the lab to accept slightly under $3 to perform this test; if the lab didn't accept it, then they could not service this insurance company's patients.

How can a lab stay in business performing a stat test like this for under $3? To me the real question is, 'Who pays $28 for the test if insurance companies negotiate such a low payment?' And the answer? 'Oh, the uninsured must pay the full amount in order for the lab to continue in business.'

Someone tell me that our system isn't 'broken'....

That is great to hear. I will go and tell my Canadian customers that they are all liars and don't know what they are talking about. :D

They were complaining about how it might take 6 weeks to see a doctor. The convenience of it all was the major concern and not being able to see a doctor when they needed one. Not the actual quality of the health care.

Does everyone have a "right" to all health care?
 

Does everyone have a "right" to all health care? Do all have the "right" to the same or equal health care? Is there a situation when especially expensive health procedures should be more readily available to those who have more resources to pay for them? Should "elective" procedures be available only to those with financial resources? When the time comes to prioritize certain procedures like organ replacement, should the patient's past or lifestyle be a determining factor (long-time smoker, high-pressure job, bad eating habits, drug use, homosexual promiscuity) and who should make these decisions? What about age? Any other social considerations?





`

Buckeye, obviously your Canadian customers have had some negative experiences. I sincerely doubt they are lying to you.

My family's experience has been that our Canadian family doctor can usually see us the same day if it is important. Also, Ontario offers many free walk-in clinics, where immediate medical attention is available.

Universal Healthcare! Yeah!
 

I'm backing Bare on this one all the way. I was astonished at the tests she had that were fully paid for. We keep in touch all the time she is in Canada, so I know what she's talking about. Our bills for those same tests would be astronomical.

I actually have friends back in Illinois, in their 50's and up that do not go to doctor's because they cannot afford them. My very dear friend, lost her job, has many pre-existing conditions and can't afford to go to the doctor.

Some of you don't seem to find that sad in this country. Well I do. Our system is indeed broken --- the the said part is American's can't afford a doctor to fix it. :ohdear:

I guess I need to know more who the thread is aimed at?
 

Is it for seniors who are on Medicare?
Or for those who can not afford health care?

Isn't life, like it or not, based on what one can afford?

Anyway if the abuse of the current programs were dealt with, there would be substantial amounts of moneys available for better coverages.

However, how does any system intended to benefit those who cannot pay not in turn negatively affect those who have found a way to pay all their lives?
Remember in the can't afford group are those who choose not to pay and do other things with their $$$. They will free load like they do all the other freebies.

This problem will not be solved. Once again we are contemplating wrecking a system that works for the majority to take care of the minority.

The good of the many forsaken for the good of a few....does not work!!!


BTK

It's Not All About You!
 

See, this is exactly what I find so intolerable about the Right Wingers. It's that "It's all about Me" attitude. I think you have your statistics backwards. Most cannot afford good health care in this country! My husband and I are fortunate. We're not thinking of just "ourselves". If you can't see how broken our system is, you are living in your own little world! Good Luck with that. I hope it stays intact. Many others have been shaken out of theirs with a hemorrhaging economy. :yuck:

The term "right winger"...
 

is a moniker assigned to someone by some as it enables a predetermined catharsis of position. Very often missing the mark completely.

I for one am not a right winger. A label I suspect is intended for anybody on any subject that is not in alignment with the one making the accusation.

I do consider myself a constructive non conformist which automatically does not fit the intended's measuring profile and will at times most likely disagree with the position of the measuring individual, hence triggering the usual partisan barrage.

As for the Me first.....Chels, you have absolutely no clue how wrong you are on that application. Fits well in the speech you made from your position....but terribly wrong!!

BTK

Back on topic please
 

Let's please get back to the topic and leave the politics in the political forum.

I believe Muncle put it in the Medical Forum for a reason.

Dunno!
 

I apologize if I am wrong about you BTK, but your words don't speak this.:shrug: But you're right about one thing -- I shouldn't have used right winger, I should have used self-centered.