Government Funded Health Care in America?
404960
I shudder to think of goverment health care. The compassion of the IRS & the efficiency of the Postal service.
1032484
Yes, Americans do have to pay for their own health care IF they are lucky enough to have the money to afford it.  Otherwise, they have no insurance.  Where do our taxes go?  Every place EXCEPT back to the American people.  That's why we have millions of uninsured persons in the states.  Sad, isn't it?
181247
All US citizens can get healthcare whether they have health insurance or not.  What many people don't have is insurance to cover a major medical occurance, despite this fact, people that have major illnesses and no insurance, still get medical care.  They will just pay for it the rest of their lives.\n\nThe US is a capitalist society.  Doctors want to make money just like everyone else.  The US also has the best medical facilities in the world.  In other words, money gets you the best.  If the US were to go with a national healthcare plan, chances are the best would turn into second best.  Doctors would become discouraged and become a lawyer instead, what we don't need are more lawyers.
740442
The high cost of health care today is actually due to government regulations and the number of lawsuits that receive exorbitant settlements. These costs are then passed to the patients, which then makes them need either insurance or government assistance to pay for health care. \nIf both the federal and state governments would reduce regulations, red tape, and such then the cost of health care could also drop. But, people also need to understand that doctors and nurses, no matter how well trained or experienced, are human and do make mistakes. And there is also so much that we just really don't understand about the human body.
923899
All these answers are biased to the US approach to health care. If you really want to argue the two sides of this question, you are going to have to do so on the merits of whether the government should provide health care as a "social good" that all citizens deserve, or whether the individual is solely responsible for health care, and "deserves" not to get it if they can't afford it.\n\nPersonally, I would argue that the Government should provide some level of health insurance as a basic "common good". Otherwise, there is a significant bias against the poor, who are often also the ones who cannot afford / do not have employers who provide health care insurance. Also, a group payer (like the government) can have much more influence on how health care is delivered and what the costs will be. Individual payers (like HMOs, for instance) can influence only within a small subsection of the overall country -- and, as has been attested to by many, often influence negatively in terms of treatment options and so on. A broader based payer can also influence a broader base, and can bring some fairness to how treatment options are applied. \n\nHowever, the government is not responsible for every whim of the individual. I don't think the government should pay for all kinds of care, nor do I think that the government has to treat individuals as unable to manage their own health decisions, by regulating alternative health care and the like. So, I think that it should be a combination of individual responsibility with government responsibility, with as much individual choice and as little regulation as possible.
368463
Well, the situation is... in the U.S. if you're rich, you can afford insurance and medical care... in Canada, everyone gets it but not on their schedule... so rich Canadians come here to get it on their schedule...\nSo... I look at the census... the median household income for America is approx. $40,000, so that's half of America making $40,000 or less a year. If your household is making $40,000, (probably  a two income household, with two people making on average $20,000 each)you probably can't afford even a small procedure to be performed and if you get a procedure, you'll be in debt for at least a couple of years (not to mention the costs of medication), and that's if you're insured. (Also according to the census, 32 percent of Americans don't have medical insurance).\nWhat I'm saying is, according to these numbers, over half of America clearly can not take advantage (without severe financial penalty) of the American healthcare system as it stands, and thats a sad state to be in. \nAnd it's getting worse as insurance goes up 5+ percent a year (for the past few years) and wages are barely rising at all. \nSo, if you're rich, you probably like it, if you're not... you probably don't.. but there are more poor pepole than rich, so hopefully we can get some changes.
210440
I'll say it seems like a good idea, but one just need look at countries where this is done to see the draw backs.  Some countries have waiting lists to perform heart surgeries, muchless elective surgeries.  Next look at how most these countries can't provide enough doctors, muchless nurses, and the waiting times to get in just for a common cold visit.  I think the government should help out those that can't afford it, but there's no reason the government should pay for everybody.  Heck if the government paid for the poors health cost, health insurance would be more affordable, and those without it might be able to pay the bill.  Unpaid health costs from the poor/uninsured are the reason hospitals have to charge $5 for a tylenol to those that can pay. (If you have insurance this doesn't mean they pay that, most have a set amount per day regardless of what is charged)
160139
Well, I wouldn't say that we aren't getting cared for, but I see your point. The U.S. government gets into other countries' business a lot. They throw millions of bucks into these causes without asking. They think they are doing good, which they could be doing. But what if they MADE SURE we were O.K. first, and THEN got OUR support on the project? Easier and better solution.
1021137
The company I work for has offices in Canada - 80% of Canadians working for us pay for US health care out of their own pockets and come to doctors in the US.  There is a 6-9 month waiting period for MRIs up there!!!  Including for those who are in accidents/have severe problems.   Socialized medicine has failed the middle and lower classes in every country it's in.
716775
Yes, it is possible to establish free healthcare in a nation.\n\nAlmost *every* other developed nation On Earth, that is, in Europe, on the Pacific Rim and on the North American continent, almost everyone who *can* afford to do so has done so.\n\nWe haven't.  Why?  Because the Rich Man Says So.  Not much else really....it's just the suits, and they own the media so they get to play an endless mindgame with us all, telling us that if *one more grandma* got her meds paid for it would just *bankrupt* the nation when poorer countries than ourselves *have* national healthcare that covers *everyone*.....\n\nReally.  And some clever folks will piss and moan about "socialism".  Look....socialism is actually *normal* for the rest of the developed world, ok?  It is.  Look at the UK, France, Austrailia.....even Canada, they all have national healthcare, all have it cheaper than we do, and none of them are bankrupt nations.\n\nThen look at Japan.  They definitely are pacifist, and socialist compared to us...and how do we know this? *America* wrote their constitution post-World War II, that's how!  Think about it.\n\nSocialism is normal for the rest of the world.  It isn't a dictatorship like communism, people still own their property, and the rich guys still get theirs, just not *rapaciously so* like here in the USA....\n\nSo yeah, it's *possible* to have free health care in the US....everyone else who can do it is in fact *doing it*.\n\nWill we?  Nope, because our Rich Men have made us all *retarded*.  Really, they call it "special", but when the cameras are turned off, we all know which meaning of "special" they really mean.....\n\nJust saying.  :)
236395
we have medicare \n(everybody does)but the controversy now is about \nfor those who need surgery , sooner than later for something like cancer, can face long wait times for the surgery (that is what i think is a problem). there is a move towards a'two -tiered' helathcare system, in which those who can and want to pay for it,  can do so, and get service when they want it.\nEvery province handles health care somewhat differently. you still need some insurance to be sure you are covered when you visit another province(like a state), but you can get healthcare in other provinces and get reinbursed for it ( i havent ever done it so not sure how it works).\n\ntho we don't pay for it directly, we pay via taxation. Sales tax and taxes in general. I think Quebec has the highest tax rate in....North America?! fourteen and a half percent sales tax, extra taxes on cigarettes....\nwe do have welfare and unemployment insurance also- but you can barely get by on "social assistance". However there are many training programs available for those on social assistance, and if they attend they get extra $.\nbut we aren't talking Harvard quality education here, but i suppose it's better than zilch.
667948
Over 50% of America doesn't have any health care, and that is why it cost so much. That is what the providers want in order to keep the cost's up just like the gasoline is going up. They call that an open market. I call it I don't have any health insurance.
374980
Yes,the government has to do something for the Mexicans and latin nations who pick our fruit and vegetables.But I have a question  asking\n"who is going to pay for their healthcare."  in California and I have been told that 5 billion dolalrs the state paid for the alieans' healthcares. Right now the American has 200,000 quest workers ( H1B visa ) already this year.At lease these quests pay into our taxes system.But our illeagal friends does not pay taxes and they send money back to mexico every year.13 billion a year.   The U.S. . do not get anything from these quest workers because, they are not leagal and now the Bush administration is outsourcing jobs to India and China.The corporates in America will save money by hiring young people and kick the older out, the sad part is  that  those new one are not experience in the job and they are going no where.what is a mess and no one   wants to talk about it.Let have our conversation going and let the Bush administration knows.It is a mess and we are the people who lives here and end up paying more taxes for outsiders.Sad and something need to be done,Are you going to help me writing the letter to the whiteHouse or comment on the Whitehouse comment line or write the smart Republican senators to help.Give me a support will you,I am confused and no hope for our great nation.By the way, my heart and soul go to our people who lost the jobs in this valley and in addition my daughter who will attend college this fall said to me "I have to get my job quick because,the whole word want to complete with me."
811951
The best debates against the health care reform involve 2 elements:\n(1) economics\n(2) logic;\n\nArgue that nationalized healthcare and other proposed reforms restrict the free-market economy and reduce the quality of healthcare by increasing long lines and failing to provide incentives for innovation.\n\nArgue that nationalized healthcare or other reforms are populist ideals.  Just because everyone wants reform, doesn't mean that it is the best way to go.  Even if everyone wanted no reforms, that wouldn't make it right, either.  \n\nYou should be able to find a lot of information on the web b/c it is a hot topic right now.
1140098
It's not communism, Canada has free health care as well. As I recall the Clintons tried to bring it into the States and it was voted down. We all pay enough taxes that healthcare should be free.
391492
Canada's health care system is run by the government, therefore less money.  You're better off staying in the States where it is privatized.
451476
Australia has government funded healthcare called "Medicare".  You have to go to specific gov't hosptials or doctors to get treatment or your bills won't be covered (like a massive government HMO).  Private healtcare exists and is very reasonable with small deductables and huge coverage.  I pay $125 a month for myself, (young adult), and get full coverage on everything, plus emergency and dental.  Drugs I pay up to AU$30, then they pay for the rest.  I have no deductable for doctor/dental visits, as everything I've been to has been reimbursed.\n\nMost people here still would prefer to belong to private healthcare over public healthcare, as the waits are shorter and the benefits better.