Why is America the only western country that does not provide free health care for its citizens?
152370
Because the drug and insurance companies are massive funders of the Republican party, who unfortunately control the country right now. When the Clinton administration brought up the idea of free health care, the right wing labelled the idea "communist." One of the reasons we are at a competitive disadvantage trade-wise is that our manufacturers have to pay for their workers' health insurance. They say that $1,500 of the cost of every American car is the cost of health insurance.
381428
because they know if they come here that they will receive free education, free welfare and free healthcare and have to pay absolutely nothing for it.  It is all paid by the hard working americans citizens.  I guess their countries must be the arm pit of central america.
376486
Well, one of the things that I think everyone is entitled to is life (life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, for America that is)... and health care has a lot to do with life and sustaining life... \nSure, it may be a bit of a liberal take on the issue, but I guess I just don't see how a capitalistic system can work for something you can't put a price on... a human life... and that's what medicine is in it's most basic form... sustaining life...\nOur health care system right now isn't working at all for most Americans, because they can't afford it... and what's the point, if it doesn't help most people...
1020230
The reason for the success of the US and other western countries is that we have adopted a system of government which allows for free enterprise and equality. A generous welfare system cares for most of the needy. We are allowed to suceed and excel. We also donate generously to the third world.\n\nIn third world countries politics and corruption and dictatorial governments repress freedoms and try to control and restrict free enterprise. NGOs with idealistic delusions of the 'noble savage' attempt to block useful new technologies from entering third world countries in an attempt to maintain them as some kind of museum of the past. Third world countries that have adopted our system of government are the ones which are making the most progress, yet even these countries are still beset by rampant corruption and nepotism which strangles incentive and achievement.
263398
We have WORKING Americans who are not even afforded these luxuries.  Paying for noncontributors and not even being able attain these services themselves is not fair. This is what is making health care, college education, etc. unattainable to working class people.  Why should we pay for them when we can't get these things ourselves?
1028930
Heck, as tax payers we pay for convicted criminals to live, eat, wear clothes, exercise, watch t.v, get educated, and get free health care. There is something wrong with that!!!! An honest hard working person has no health coverage but a murderer is taken care of for free. There should be a national health care plan, but knowing this country and it's politics, if it ever happened it would be so corrupt we would all be better off with out it.
453716
The Canadian Health System is based upon the same system that exists in Britan or Sweden. Only the US does not have this type of system
365983
because Canada has a quality of living that is roughly par with the US, but with socialistic programs designed to care for many of its citizens (but at much higher tax costs). \n\nFrankly, they don't need to come to the US to earn money or recieve better educations and healthcare as they already have it.
574420
People, don't be under the illusion that America has the best health care in the world.  Even if you "pay for it", it is still lower quality than what you would get in most European hospitals for free (or almost free).  I know this from experience.  I am an American living in France, my wife delivered our baby here, and I can assure you we were treated like the supper rich for only 45 Euros.  They didn't want us to leave as early as we did; 4 days in a private suite.\n\nThe reason the French can afford this is because they don't spend what America does on the military.  But then again France isn't controlled by oil companies and weapon manufactures like America is.\n\nIt is the price we paid winning WW2.  Economically speaking the weapons sector of the American economy became the most powerful and influential power in the world in only 4 years.  Before WW2 our boys were training with wooden guns.  Today the fly billion something dollar stealth fighters.   \n\nOut here in France the paratroopers are grounded because the government doesn't want to pay the fuel costs for the airplane they use to train with. Their helicopter "fleet" is rotting and they take "spare" parts off of other choppers to keep a few in working condition. \n\nTwo very different realities.\n\nPersonally I think we need a military.  But if we just cut a slice from its budget we could enjoy a much better American dream.\n\nNo kids going to bed hungry.  Everybody has top notch health care.  More police on the streets.  And maybe invest a little of what is left over in renewable energy technology (like what the French and the rest of the educated world is doing).
743340
Socialized medicine, like all forms of socialism, has been a world-wide failure. As people throughout the world from the Soviet Union to South America are learning, socialism cannot work. Socialism is fundamentally incompatible with human nature. \n\nHorrible Idea, we do not need another entitlement program in our country.  Would you like to be in a line for a kidney or a liver and never get one?  How about having innovation limited by promoting the status quo and mediocrity?  Don't fall for utopian ideals which are not achievable.\n\n"Throughout the world the story is the same: socialized medicine results in skyrocketing demand for nominally "free" health care, doctors are overburdened, medical services steadily deteriorate, and there are endless waiting lists for health care. In the Soviet Union before the collapse of Communism, anesthetics, painkillers, and most drugs were rationed; 57 percent of hospitals had no hot running water; and it was standard practice to clean needles with steel wool and reuse them.  In New Zealand, which has a population of just 3 million, there is a waiting list of 50,000 for surgery."\n\nMedicare and Medicaid are imposing horrendous costs upon American taxpayers. There is no free lunch. When health care is "free" (i.e., indirectly financed by taxation), there is little incentive for either patients or doctors to minimize costs. Government-guarantee medical services raise prices and costs, result in massive waste, and create a bureaucracy in a futile attempt to control costs. \n\nGovernment should get out of the medical insurance business. We will get far better value for our health care dollars if we spend them directly ourselves. \n\nI surely do not want this to happen here in the USA, and you shouldn't either!!  Please read the links.  Educate yourself and others about the truth!!
686148
We are NOT all fine. There are people who cannot are refused health care because an illegals got there first. Auto insurance is higher than it should be because illegals don't pay for it. Apartments and home rentals are higher because of the inflated demand caused by illegals. America is suffering in many ways as a result of these illegals.
170669
This is an article, about free healthcare, by Walter E. Williams. I hope I helped you..\nhttp://www.townhall.com/opinion/columns/walterwilliams/2004/07/21/12421.html
836356
Ok As a canadian we DO NOT HAVE FREE HEALTHCARE!!!!! we have to pay for it through taxes.  With no competition our hospitals can virtually do anything they want.  Wait times are ridiculas, and not enough equipment as in MRI's.\nStates even though patients also look at it as customer service as well, their private sector pays for the equipment, which means more resources, when you tie the hand that can do better than the public sector, you take away the ability to build.\nA lot of canadians want more private industries to provide services, but be paid the same way by O.H.I.P. ( name varies with each province but is our insurance plan)\nAmericans could have the same thing.  Technically we have to pay out of pocket for services like eyecare, chiropraters, dentist are just a few.  Our health care system is one of the biggest eater of public funds.\n\nOur PM has more power than the American President except for veto rights.  It is hard to go after a sitting P.M. where in the states your President can be censured and removed.\n\nIn Canada we are not peaceful as many beleive we are just like americans when it comes to tolerance, and violence per capita.  Remember america has like 330 million people, while Canada has 35 million odds of probability are higher due to population.\n\nAmericans give chances to their people with the free market , here banks damage your credit rating your screwed nobody to turn to, at least american businesses will give you a chance.  Banks here are worse than the states, for no free compitition as in the states .\n\nCanada government and their agencies are like the big brother approach, which is worse than the American big brother approach.\n\nIf Canada was like america when it comes to opportunities and America was more like Canada on equality,  North America would be as strong as gravity.\n\nBut Canada and America are the most wanted locations for immigrants, America above canada.  We have an image but my cousin in Florida who has lived in both countries says in short there is no difference at a citizen level, as in ordinary people everyday life.
1178417
The above  answer is ridiculous. maybe they don't uh, have hospitals because they don't have a uh, country, or goverment, or land, or money, or freedoms that you and i both enjoy and take for granted?
362647
Public health system: Americans demand the best and most up to date health care - that costs. We also have a LOT of hypochondriacs that drive up the cost of health care, because they order every concievable test. Americans also are less likely to see a primary care physician regularly.\n\nMore importantly, because most people aren't paying out of pocket for health care, the costs actually go up, because no one shops around. That drives up everyone elses cost, and really screws the poor uninsured bastards.\n\nWorse, since many people don't see a doctor regularly, they instead go to the ER when something goes wrong - which drives up costs since prevention is far cheaper than solving the problem once it's gone to hell.\n\nHowever, the claim that there is no public health system is partially false. Life-threatening treatment will be provided. The indigent's treatment is paid for by the state, as are many children (into the lower-middle class). \n\nAlso, America's economy benefits greatly from the lack of a fully funded health system - the hard part is creating a public health system without hobbling the economy (like a large part of Europe).\n\n2.) Katrina's poor response is a good example of how federalism can backfire. In short, New Orleans is a crappy place to deal with an emergency, the local and state governments historically can't take a crap without going to committee (and overcharging the taxpayers), and the Feds assumed the Locals were going to bear the brunt of the planning. Whoops.
422047
Illegals get free health care.  Americans do not get free health care.\n\nWhen I see the illegals parading down the streets of this coultry proudly displaying the Mexican flag, it really makes me extremely angry because they are foreign nationals and they do not have any right to do that.  Its actually an act of war for a foreign national to hoist any flag other than the US flag and they should be treated accordingly  -- i.e. shot.\n\nWhen Japan and Germany tried to do that here in the 40's, we went to war and explained forcefully that they better not try again.  Today, far too many people are just looking the other way.
494960
This big difference is only one face of a completely different fiscal and welfare system. Taxation is heavier in Europe because it serves also to pay many public services which are freely granted (such as high-quality health care and education). America can tax citizens less than Europe because they prefer to pay directly when accessing services ("why should I pay hospitals when I don't use them?").\nWhatever is our opinion on the two systems, they are too different for being comparable and it's not easy deciding which is better.