The health-care industry is the largest employer in the U.S. It produces almost 17 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product. Yet the bill treats health care the way European governments do: as a cost problem instead of a growth industry. Imagine limiting growth and innovation in the electronics or auto industry during this downturn. This stimulus is dangerous to your health and the economy.
There were many ridiculous points made in this article including the allusion that old people with osteoporosis would not be taken care of because of costs. Anyone with any actual medical knowledge knows that current SAFE treatments do not hurt the pocketbook and are not privy to the few and privy in "socialist" nations. But I digress...
Should health care be treated as a business? No. To better illustrate, I ask this question, do I want government making my shoes, or my toaster? No. Government has a role. There are obviously sectors where private interests thrive. I want private companies making the non-essential products I enjoy. I want private companies making the products in arenas where than can be beneficial competition.
However, I do not want private interests in an area that deals with how we deliver something as important as health care. I apologize beforehand because what I am about to say is strictly opinion and experience. I grew up in Canada, and I experienced its shortcomings but I also experienced its benefits. I don't mint paying higher taxes, and by the way they are not much higher. It makes me feel good to know that health care is not something I have to worry about for my family or friends. I like the way it allows doctors to practice. Sure some doctors in Canada wish they could be Doctor Beverly Hills. But who cares, I want the doctors who actually want to take care of people, heal people.
Health care should never be thought of as "Man I need a job so I can afford to buy medicine for my son," or "I better not barely make more than the poverty line because then I won't qualify for Medicare." It is called equality of opportunity. Even if some one can barely afford the premiums on health care, who is to say they will be able to afford the $5000 deductible before the insurance company "graciously" pays 70% of the health care costs after that. It is not fair. And I don't desire to sound like "Everyone should have a flat screen TV, it's not fair." I need it to sound like, "Everyone should have a good K - 12 education."
People don't choose to get sick. Yes, I fully know America by no means has a horrid health system. The right insurance, and the right savings account can get many people through health care emergencies. But I argue that, America should look at the successes and failings of others to create a fair system of access. And a better system for doctors to practice without fear of massive lawsuits, insurance company hassle.
4 comments:
I struggle with this issue because parts of it are hard for me to understand. I totally agree with your last paragraph. My question is, Why would I want government, who handles things poorly in my opinion, to have control of such a large enterprise? They're not exactly trustworthy.
I think usually Fair = Crappy for all.
If we can trust the gov't with our mail, why can't we trust the gov't with our bodies?
Seriously though, I think that the government instituting more laws on mandatory health care coverage and job health care coverage would do a lot for the state of health care in this country. I don't think that health care will ever be socialized in America for two reasons; (1) Americans cringe at the word socialize, and (2)health care and insurance lobbyists have a very powerful voice in the government and they're not going to advocate any such change. America is a democracy and lobbyists appeal to the public interest; their companies create millions of jobs. Though there is a greater public interest in the often overlooked parts of the country, I believe the government is torn between two public interests.
I made a spelling error and deleted my first comment. Instead of they're, I put there. I was too shame
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