Letter to the editor:

Without insurance, many in U.S. suffer

Steve Mick, North Las Vegas

Thursday, March 20, 2008 | 2:02 a.m.

Whenever I mention to my conservative friends that most of the industrialized world provides universal health care, their retort is, “But at what price?”

They then add, “Don’t their socialized citizens suffer higher taxes, government regulations and frequent delays in care? Besides, we have the best medical system in the world. And anyone can visit an emergency room for critical care.”

Even if I concede that all of these statements are true and they are not what happens to those emergency room patients who subsequently require long-term treatment or an expensive surgical procedure? If they have no insurance or other means to pay, they are sent home to suffer or die.

Perhaps this now-fatal or chronic condition could have been prevented with earlier discovery and treatment. But these patients’ employers decided to discontinue health insurance, or shipped their job overseas to increase profits. Or perhaps their insurance company denied them coverage. What are they to do?

My friends answer, “I’ve worked hard for everything I’ve got. Why should I be forced to share (even a small portion) of my wealth with those who are less educated, less fortunate or less intelligent? Are there no charities? Are there no clinics?”

Discussion: 7 comments so far…

By vsestini

3/20/08 at 7:10 a.m.

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To all those that oppose universal health care I offer the universal question: Why is it that we can AFFORD billions, nearing trillions now, of dollars for war in Iraq and Afganhinstan but not one dime for health care for ALL of our own citizens? We are fighting wars in countries we we are despised, hated and not wanted...WHY DO WE INSIST ON STAYING WHEN THEY DO LITTLE TO FIGHT THEIR OWN WARS OR RECONCILE DIFFERENCES?
Virgil Sestini
By dougshel

3/20/08 at 8:31 a.m.

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why don't we have socialized medicine? because we are not a socialist country, that's why. If you want socialism, go somewhere else.
By foxy

3/20/08 at 2:18 p.m.

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See www.pnhp.org/facts/singlepayer_faq.php#s...
for a discussion of "socialized" medicine. You will see that we do not need to have what you would call "socialized" medicine.

If you are going to use the word socialized, then you need to talk about our socialized schools, transportation, libraries, utilities, police and fire, and so on.
By RonSmith

3/20/08 at 4:21 p.m.

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dougshel - Typical uninformed rhetoric. Perhaps you should educate yourself on the topic, instead of propagating tired right wing talking points.
By StanG

3/21/08 at 2:41 a.m.

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Why should I have to pay for schooling your kids? My kids are all grown. Why do I have to pay property taxes to support someone else's kids? Oh, you agree with me, but think we should institute vouchers so your kid doesn't have to attend public school. Where is the money for vouchers supposed to come from? My pocket? After all, “I’ve worked hard for everything I’ve got. Why should I be forced to share (even a small portion) of my wealth with those who are less educated, less fortunate or less intelligent?"
If you can't afford to pay for your kids education, home school the brat. I say close down the public school system as well. Sell the property and cut my taxes way down.
By foxy

3/21/08 at 6:25 a.m.

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StanG, Others worked hard for all they had so that they could pay for YOUR kids during the years they were in school. And if you were one of the "less fortunate" ones, you would not be singing this tune.

RonSmith, right on. I wonder if dougshel will even look at the link I provided above.
By StanG

3/21/08 at 3:59 p.m.

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Dear Foxy:
Sometimes my sarcasm is misunderstood. I was trying to ridicule the "I've got mine, the rest of you can take a flying leap" attitude so prevalent in our oh so patriotic and devoutly religious "compassionate Conservatives".