What are the downsides to universal healthcare?!
Question: I recently watched the documentary "Sicko" by Michael Moore, and it really opened my eyes! For a while I wanted to pick up and literally move to Canada or France! It really gave me a wake-up call by revealing the awful corruption that has unfortunately occured in the American healthcare system...
I know that Michael Moore can sometimes only present one side of things, but it seemed plain as day that universal healthcare was the way to go...? I would like to know if anyone has an educated reason as to why universal healthcare in America wouldn't work or just the basic downfalls of such a program...
Answers: I recently watched the documentary "Sicko" by Michael Moore, and it really opened my eyes! For a while I wanted to pick up and literally move to Canada or France! It really gave me a wake-up call by revealing the awful corruption that has unfortunately occured in the American healthcare system...
I know that Michael Moore can sometimes only present one side of things, but it seemed plain as day that universal healthcare was the way to go...? I would like to know if anyone has an educated reason as to why universal healthcare in America wouldn't work or just the basic downfalls of such a program...
Universal healthcare in the US will come only when the insurance companies, doctors. and drug companies are bribed with enough tax money.
So, the downside is higher taxes, pure and simple.
The upside is that everybody will have access to at least basic healthcare, and without danger of bankrupcy. Hopefully.
The biggest difference in the US system and that of France, England, and Canada is their's aren't overwhelmed with liability issues(lawyers), and burdened by middlemen(insurance companies)raking money off the top.
It's hard to see how we're gonna have efficient health care until wil deal with these two issue.
The only reasons I would think that U.S.A shouldn't have universal health care is because the economy is very poor, and I don't think that the government would like see the people lose consumer-buying power. It would also be bad if the government is corrupt.
Consumer-buying power declining could be a possibility but I think that the people are already paying outragous rates for medi-care. Universal health care would be great because most of the money that would go to the government would actually return to the people in the form of new medicare technology, more hospitals; plus, all money would be put towards the actual industry, not the rich bastards in the American Medi-care industry.
Universal health care would not work in the states for a myriad of reasons.
Micheal Moore hates America, so u have to keep that in mind when viewing his lopsided documentaries.
First off, nobody wants to pay for everyone elses health care. Insurance rates are high now. They will be higher when we have to insure all the people who don't have it and are unwilling to pay.
Poor people already have free health care, so let's not start with that.
The rest of the people (who dont have it) have chosen to keep the money in their pockets.
Under universal health care, Dr.s can only charge a certain amount. Many times this does not cover the malpractice insurance.
Eventually fewer people would become doctors. Why would they spend all that money on school to make that same $ as a Home-Depot clerk?
The quality of the health care would diminish rapidly. Quality of ANY type of work is reduced when you take the incentive away from the person doing the work.
I am all for universal health care because healthcare should be a basic right, not a luxury that 50 million Americans cannot afford. I guess the downside would be increased taxes for everyone and also the government would have control over what services some people receive (such as dialysis). I think a big fear for many is the government could put age limits and restrictions on things such as dialysis and other life saving measures. Other countries have this problem, but that doesn't mean we would have it here. I think as long as Americans still have the choice of having private insurance and are not forced to participate in a government run program more people would be open to it.
I can't provide an educated response, but merely one from experience- I live in Ontario (Canada). Here, one of the big, common problems is the fact waiting times are pretty long in emergency rooms. Also, I know there is a heavy tax cost, although, as far as I know, not many people complain about it. And sometimes getting access to certain things can take a while. For example, the other day I read about a man who was told he would need to wait 5 Months for a MRI (which would be free), but instead went to a private clinic.
But apart from the time components, I think it's a great system. I hope this helped a bit!
Their seems to be a lot of misinformation about Universal Health Care in USA. Initially if tomorrow USA decided on Universal Health Care system, you are talking about 20-40 years before it becomes a reality! Likewise I hear that US Citizens are not happy with paying tax, any tax. They system I think is straight forward enough, for every dollar you earn, ten cents is taken off you for Universal Health Care. So the more you earn, the more you pay! A person on one million a year pays more, than say someone on ten thousand a year, hence Universal. However the person on one million can also afford Private Health Insurance, while on ten thousand no chance of Private Health Insurance. Therefore all those people who earn one hell of amount of money are not going to be happy with Universal Health Care and that includes, Consultants, Doctors and so on, because they will also pay this tax. Likewise Hollywood Stars, everyone pays something based on their earnings. Moreover, Companies, like Microsoft also contribute! % for every employee, let alone Director and so on. Initially that money goes to pay for either Public Hospitals to be built, or Private Hospital to be purchased. Also if for example you succumb to MS and cannot work, because you have contibuted you are entitled to a weekly income. Or if you loose your job, you are entitled to a weekly income, after all you paid for this by your contibutions. Yes their are checks and balances in place to prevent fraudulent claims.
Because this would be a FREE Medical Service that too can be open to abuse, so again checks are put in place. Your primary care is your first entry point so a Physician, GP. If he/she decides you need a x-ray, then they will either write, or fax, or fill in a form. You can then either go to the Hospital for the x-ray, or the Hospital will make you an appointment, call you. The same for any test: MRI, CT, and so on. The results from the 'test' return to the Physician/GP and then they decide if you need further treatment, you have Arthritis need to see a Rheumatologist or Orthapedic. Again the letter is sent to the Hospital and you are placed on a waiting list. The reason for this, because the Hospital has A & E or ER, so will always be dealing with accidents, emergencies, let alone elective surgery, prebooked surgery. Likewise, your 'problem' might not be a high priorty. That simply means you have Osteoarthritis wear and tear in your shoulder, which causes you pain. Whereas someone with say acute onset Rheumatoid Arthritis, a systemic disease that could induce a heart attack, needs to be seen quicker! Likewise someone with a infected gall bladder over someone with cancer of the gall bladder, one is higher priority. The idea is to get as many people healthy and back into the workforce, where they will then contibute to Universal Health Care. So you will get the treatment you 'need' but not the treatment that perhaps you 'want'. You may decided you want a MRI, but unless you have a Medical Qualification, you will not get it unless a Medically Qualified Person orders it. Private Health from what I can fathom out, depending on what type of insurance you have, depends on if you can have a MRI once or thrice a year? As to if you 'need' a MRI can be debatable. However the Consultant can state you need one, he then gets paid, you have one, more money back to the Private Hospital from the Insurance Company and the results are 'normal'. Then the Insurance Company have no option but to 'increase' the premium, cost of Health Care Insurance Policies.
I think it would work, the WHO World Health Organisation reckon USA need it, but as to if certain vested interests will allow it, I fear not. Too many people have made far too much money from the present system, they are not going to be willing to give that up. Likewise all the Medical People here have their own malpractise Insurance, my GP is insured for X million that he has to pay for himself. I get my treatment free and so I think that means he is more 'mindful' of my condition and what tests I need. Best of Luck