Is National Health Care an idea whose time has come.?
831382
I think so... the current health care situation is laughable... it's only a matter of time before fewer people are insured than are insured, as costs continue to rise...\n\nI mean, I don't even understand how Republicans don't support it more... don't they realize the billions that businesses would save in the difference between the increase in taxes to pay for the program and what they pay now for healthcare now would be?
1009969
I personally would. I'd say about 70% of people would be ok with it. A lot of people might freak that that's not right. But as long as you visit them often, it's probably better because then they'd have all the healthcare and help they could need at any time of the day... But that's just my opinion.
887218
Same as every other caring nation!!!!\nCount the number of people admitted to hospital added to the number of people attending outpatients minus the number of holes in the ground that are dug.
288683
The heart of your thinking I think would be best applied through strengthening the workers in this country (and thus the broad tax base) A strong family that is secure in it's health and it's retirement will turn their thoughts away from a day to day struggle that pursists today, and toward their surroundings. This would greatly help us to address other issues such as the environment and poverty right here at home. There should be a worker's rights amendment. The right to cheap health coverage. The right to job saftey. The right to a living wage. I think the fastest way to get this sort of broad based reform done is through organisation. Not like a classical union. More like an association that would draw together to leverage certain trhings from our government. Like a group that is millions strong would be able to negotiate better health coverage than even a large corporation could. Starting there and with similar issues that could be achieved through a voter soliderity almost like that of a union, but a little bit more effective, and with a different mission. It wouldn't be done through the work place, but at home so there couldn't be any kind of adverse reactions from corporates and the like. As long as you work and pay taxes, you would be eligable for membership. And with success, taking bigger bites at the apple. AAnd who knows, maybe something like that would end up putting a fire into our 2 party system of government. Or perhaps replace it altogether.
327874
Like most people (according to public opinion polls), I believe the US healthcare system is terrible.  The free market approach leaves too many people without adequate coverage...yet another dysfunctional consequence of capitalism.\n\nThere is little way to improve health care within the current economic paradigm, which privileges profit above concern for human health and life.
1081492
Adequate and timely medical care for all American citizens is already available. Do you need a list of companies to purchase it from? I have Afflac.
102697
It depends upon which Health Court proposal you look to. The Progressive Policy Institutes Health Court proposal (now going through congress) would be very expensive. As far as my knowledge goes there is not a specific number (because the proposal is only on a pilot project basis) but there would be costs to introduce an entirly new beaurocrcay. A majority of the costs would go to additional state and federal courts to hear cases, as well as thousands of additional employees that would need to be paid to sort through Medical Malpractice cases.
322278
Immigration, healthcare and war.
125604
I am a consultant who earns $75 an hour and have not had insurance for years.  It is not an issue to me.  The issue of the next election should be centered around governments interference in our lives.  Smaller government, less taxes & obliteration of family court.
582039
I heard that Maine is trying something like universal healthcare, it is experimental and new, but you might be able to find some information on a program called Dirigo.
1184496
Absolutely not.  Our health care system is a mess, it's true, but I think the best way to fix it is with less government intervention, not more.  You see, as with everything else, you tend to get all the best and most expensive stuff you can when someone else is paying the bill.  Well, if the government is paying the bill, that really means the taxpayers.  It's not fair for healthy people to have their tax burden substantially raised because some others can't or won't take care of themselves.  Which leads to a related point:  If you're paying your own bill, you're more likely to take good care of yourself, so you don't end up paying more than you absolutely have to.
263102
Strategies that are used by our government in order to improve healthcare are usually health clinics and programs that administered by the State Health Department such as Diabetes Screening and Counseling Clinics. Other govenmental interagency appointments are to the Departments of Health and Human Services which assist with many programs that prevent illness and suffrage such as Planned Parenthood.  Many people have difficulty in associating these services as National Health Provision but they do exist. Health and Home providers for the elderly and infirm are symbols of the greatness of our country and our people.  Jose
771037
Yes we deserve affordiable health care and drug coverage.  As you say we send billions of dollars to other countries and leave us here back home to dig up enough money for a $75 pill.  Bush stated that he would send billions over to Iraq to aid everyone there to get the health care they need....huh???  What about us.\nWe bring people over here from other countries to have surgeries they cannot get in their countries and they get it for free because we feel sorry for them...huh??? What about the people holding bake sales to help a child in the neighborhood get a heart transplant.\nI could go on an on....rant rant.
422291
I'm a Republican, and I've always been against public health care.  I've always thought that if I had to work for a living (and insurance) then everyone should have to.  No freebies.  Well, after actually having to use my insurance, and along with paying deductibles, co-payments, and 20% of all other bills, and having racked up medical bills in excess of $1,500 (which I most definitely cannot afford!), I have changed my mind and would love a public health care system.  No necessarily along the lines of Canada's health care system, but at least something to help those without insurance, and those who are low income.  Maybe have government run clinics set up in each county where anyone that is below a certain income level could receive full healthcare, including MRI, CT Scan, X-Ray, vision, dental, etc at a reduced rate.  Something like that anyway.  I got a bill from the emergency room for $1,400...for two shots.  That's it.  If the government isn't ever going to offer free healthcare to its' citizens, it should at least put a cap on what physicians can charge for their services.  I understand that most of them went to school for 8+ years, but charging $180 for a 5 minute office visit or $1,000 for ONE shot in the emergency room is just plain robbery.
363120
yes i think it would be a great idea for the goverment to provide us all with health coverage, it would set in place a standard rate of cost for proceedures of all kinds and employ more doctors and more staff at offices and hospitals, medical standards would be set and therefore medical mal-practice would be more governed by the actual courts and dis-allow for frivolous lawsuits. it would also thereby de-organize the pharmacuetical compnanies and how they practice. medicines would be more available at cheaper rates due to more people using the drugs provided by pharmacies.so "yes"
194712
I think we stand on the cusp of understanding a great deal more about the human body thanks to the recent break throughs in technics and technology supporting Genetics research. Where that future takes us or it will come is hard to say. Even harder to predict is the sociological impacts these develops could bring about. Whatever happens I am sure medicine will take a giant step forward and lots of the ailments that plague us now will be resolved. The result is people will live longer  and live better.
635246
That's simple. The health care and pharmaceutical lobbies are very strong and hold enormous influence over congress. Take a look at the numbers listed in the link, it is to a non-partisan, neutral website. Four of the top 10 organizations lobbying to congress are involved with health care. It is DEFINITELY not in the best interests of these industries to have national health care.