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twitterLetter to the Editor:
Don’t let government run my health care
Monday, March 30, 2009 | 2:04 a.m.
I was quite amused when reading Richard Mundy’s Saturday letter to the editor, headlined “Time has come for universal health care.”
He thinks having universal health care is the “sensible” thing to do? Really? The government can’t even run the post office, and now some Americans want it to be in charge of their health?
Do they realize it would be up to the government as to what tests citizens could have and what treatments they could receive? Sorry, I’ll be in charge of my own health, thank you.
By the way, I pay for my own health insurance because I am self-employed.
Discussion: 32 comments so far…
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My mother in law died because the insurance company dragged its heels to decide whether she should receive surgery. This same insurance system also, several years ago, claimed that a procedure she needed at the time to stop a brain hemorrhage (which sane people also consider life-sustaining) was "elective." You can keep your private insurance la-la land if you wish. I for one do not see how government could do any worse than the private system we have now.
Decisions are made by the insurance company not the individual, wake up to that fact.
Cathy: how do you justify that millions of Americans are without health care? How do you justify that insurance companies make their own rules as to who and what to cover? If you happen to have one of their excluded illnesses you are crap out of luck for health care...now that is private enterpirse compassion!
Why is it that our national politicians have one of the very best health coverage programs in the world but do not want it for the rest of us? Why is it that we can pay for their health care, hopitialization and specialists but not for the rest of us?
Go ahead and keep your private insurance but when you happen to have a rare disease or illness that is not covered could cost you your house, savings, etc....then, you will change your tune...right now, you are o.k.
vsestini:
Proponents of universal health care, like you, believe it is possible to deliver higher quality care to everyone at a lower cost. Delivering health care has costs, and making it available to everyone at no cost will overwhelm the system and be unaffordable, so it will have to be rationed. In a free market, the good or service is rationed by price, a system which delivers the maximum quantity and quality from willing sellers to willing buyers.
In answer to your questions, which you thought were rhetorical:
Millions of Americans choose to be without health insurance (different from health care), because they are young and feel it's not worth it, or they work for start-up companies and expect to have it eventually, or they are changing jobs and will soon have it again, or they choose not to work. I don't want to pay higher taxes so that someone can have something they choose not to pay for themselves.
Insurance companies can make their own rules because they are risking their own capital. It's the basis of the free enterprise system, which, last I checked, is what we have in America.
Our politicians have a good health plan because there are a lot of us paying for it and only a few of them using it. If we try to give everyone the same care, it would bankrupt us, or we would have to ration it.
Health care is not a right. How can you have a right to something if someone else has to work to provide it? Do Ethiopians have a right to health care? If so, then someone is violating their rights.
Universal health care is poor health care. The free market will deliver more of it, with better quality, and at a lower cost than universal health care can.
Your health should not be a "for profit" industry. When you get sick and need something more than minimal care, you'll find out how great our system is. Pretty soon heart bypass is going to be elective surgery.
lazyfaire:
Watch the documentary Sicko. That's a small amount of research to find out why 36 other countries rank ahead of us in healthcare. America's infant mortality rate is climbing and our life spans are getting shorter. What an embarrassment! The rest of the world looks and wonders.
lazyfaire said
""Universal health care is poor health care. The free market will deliver more of it, with better quality, and at a lower cost than universal health care can"".
You are 100% wrong in your assumption.
I am assuming that when you say The Free Market, you refer to the USAs system, which is perhaps the most expensive in $s per capita. If you have insurance then you are paying thru the nose for poor quality, treatments and ops are hideously expensive, as are medications, no worry really, the insurance will pay for it, and then they up the premium next year, thats why 47 million dont have health cover.
PhilVentura, good point you made. The "CIA hand book" is also a very good site for information.
The founding fathers and pioneers would laugh their rear ends off at us--universal healthcare!?? There are limits to everything. There are no panaceas. Stop looking for them, and get realistic.When my policy limits were maxed out by my son's illness, how could I truly, in good conscience, expect you, my fellow workers or the company to bear an endless financial burden.The buck stops at your own front door. Face it and deal with it. There are no guarantees in life. We are free to search out and negotiate the best deals we can under the circumstances.Private healthcare initiative is the best answer to medical advancements and care. There should be sensible healthcare available for the poor. Right now, we are being overrun by illegal immigrants, and because we are a "caring "people, we take care of all those illegals to the detriment of legalized Americans. This is nuts!
The founding fathers and pioneers would laugh their rear ends off at us--universal healthcare!??
Houstonjac, you are reading too many history books. At that time the population was less than 7 million, so the statements made by you founding fathers and pioneers are not relevant today,
The rest of your post is just plain B S
"The rest of your post is just plain B S"
uddeboda--Your statement is the one that is "BS".
I am telling it the way that it is. You may not like it,but deal with it. Go back to Sweden and enjoy your life.
This is America.
Phil, sicko??!!, really??!! I wouldn't let michael moore change my bedpan let alone inform me about anything. That guy is a piece of human debris and I think you are guilty by association.
All those in favor of universal health care raise your hand. Also if you're in favor of this, you are also in favor in abortion (murder of babies) on demand (by the government). If you think you're going to get the same care our government officials get, you are living in LA-LA LAND.
uddeboda,
Since you say that the statements by the Founding Fathers are not relevant, then let us shut our borders put all the illegals in line for deportment, and since you don't know how to use proper english, you might be an immigrant, you to can leave. My Founding Fathers said this land was open for all, but since that is not relevant, GET THE **** OUT OF MY COUNTRY!
Now understand why Phil comments like he does, HE'S A MICHAEL MOORE FAN, ARE YOU NUTS. That man is so radical and stupid and I can't believe anyone with a brain would take him serious.
Well said Houston.
Health care and any other things we deem necessary are not a right. We all have to work for what we have and I sure don't want some lazy or illegal to get what I have worked hard for. That is why I give to charities. It is not their right to have me work so hard so they can reap from my sweat.
To those of you who think the government should give us Universal health care you should speak to people from other countries that have it. Listen to what Daniel Hannan (EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT MEMBER)has to say about it. He lives with it and his suggestion to the US is not to do it. I don't want our government telling me what kind of health care I can have. They can't even run our country. The only way I would go for it would be if we all got the same coverage our elected officials get, but that won't happen because it is too expensive and unrealistic. If I want to live in a socialist country there are many I could move to and I suggest to those that want to live like that move to those countries. Our founding father's wrote the constitution because they came from socialism and didn't want to live like that any more. Why do these politicians want to change it?
I don't mind immigrants. Truly I don't. As long as they come to this country legally, and work and pay taxes like the rest of us, I say welcome. If you want a free ride, well steal a rubber raft and go back where you came from.
"Universal health care is poor health care. The free market will deliver more of it, with better quality, and at a lower cost than universal health care can"
Ludicrously untrue.
Take Japan, for example. Universal heath insurance and stringent cost control regulations mean that most families pay a little over $200 a month for full health insurance, half of that is actually paid by their employer... and insurers cannot deny a claim, even if it is a preexisting condition.
An overnight stay in the hospital is a little more than ten bucks. By most measures, the Japanese are the healthiest people on the planet, with the longest lifespans and one of the lowest infant mortality rates.
And Japan pays only 8% of GDP for this system, whereas our system costs almost double.
Why are people openly advocating a system which costs twice as much, and is LESS effective?
All of you who are arguing against universal health care are making arguments that simply don't wash. Find the facts - and that doesn't mean finding "information" from the web postings of your favorite ideologues. The health care system is a mess and a travesty. And obviously those who oppose universal care are not among the millions who have none. Next thing you know, our governments will be in collapse due to health care costs - because the system doesn't work, and loves injury and disease because they're $$$$ - and then who's to blame for not seeing ahead and doing something? The Democrats and "liberals," no doubt.
This system is another major disaster waiting to happen to common folks (not those who've already made zillions on pills and procedures), and some do see what's ahead. May common sense and facts win out over ideological extremists.
gunowners4obama,
"And obviously those who oppose universal care are not among the millions who have none." Guess what buddy, I was laid off from my work in July of 08 and currently have no insurance. The company I'm with now won't give any benefits until 1 year has been completed.
I have bad knees, a messed up shoulder, and other issues and would still rather pay for coverage. You must check your facts first before making accusations.
"GUNOWNERS4OBAMA", what a joke/oxyMORON, only criminals who what to rob and pillage the working citizens are gun owners who voted for obama.
Some convient facts left out by ksand99 about Japan.
Co-pays are usually 30% of the procedure which is vastly higher than in the USA. So if you need to a $10,000 procedure then you will fork out $3,000.
Here is a funny article. Be sure to pre-arrange your ER room if you get into an accident.
http://www.tokyomango.com/tokyo_mango/20...
Japanese have been praticing strict low price controls on medical for about a decade.
The doctors are poorly paid in Japan as compared in the USA.
It is starting to catch to them.
They are losing doctors and fewer young people are picking to be doctors.
It is creating a doctor shortage which is getting worse year-by-year.
http://www.min-iren.gr.jp/english/2007/2...
It is getting so bad that they are worried about a collapse in medical system.
Some convenient misinformation from jfnance32:
"Co-pays are usually 30% of the procedure which is vastly higher than in the USA. So if you need to a $10,000 procedure then you will fork out $3,000."
Turns out, jfNance32 would rather spread disinformation than the truth. Copays are not "usually" 30%. In reality, there is both a range of copays, as well as a ceiling for copayments, as well as private copayment insurance, and the cost of treament in Japan is MUCH lower than in the United States:
" Differences between plans include the level of copayments, the amount of cash benefits, and the extent of cross- subsidization and government subsidies. With regard to copayments, all plans for employees have a 10 percent rate for plan members and their dependents, a 20 percent rate for inpatient care, and a 30 percent rate for outpatient care. For the self-employed and their dependents, the copayment rate is 30 percent for both inpatient and outpatient care. For the retired, the copayment rate is 20 percent, and for their dependents, the rate is 20 percent for inpatient care and 30 percent for outpatient care. But under Japan's system of catastrophic health insurance, there is a monthly ceiling for each beneficiary on all copayments for all health insurance plans. This has limited private insurance to coverage of copayments. There is, however, a small market for supplemental benefits that pay for amenities like private rooms."
Furthermore, medical bankruptcies in Japan are nearly non-existent. If these copays were such a burden, wouldn't you think that would be much different? Of course, that's why jfNance32 doesn't mention it.
He then cites a bizarre law. That's great. I didn't advocate for that law, nor would we have to adopt it. Pretty weak argument, huh?
And "they are worried about a collapse in [sic] medical system?" Who is "they?" He conveniently doesn't say. Just another straw man argument from jfNance32.
He would rather we continue to pay more than 15% of our GDP to get WORSE health care. That seems kinda stupid to me.
You should move to Japan.
I give you $5.
Obama administration officials are on record saying a government-run health care system would restrict the type and amount of care given to the elderly and the handicapped.
Is that the type of health-care system you want?
headnite:
What did you find inaccurate or misleading about Sicko?
Kirk_Wildstar said,
Since you say that the statements by the Founding Fathers are not relevant, then let us shut our borders put all the illegals in line for deportment, and since you don't know how to use proper english, you might be an immigrant, you to can leave. My Founding Fathers said this land was open for all, but since that is not relevant, GET THE **** OUT OF MY COUNTRY!
If you were to visit these comment sites more often, then you would know that I do not reside in the USA, but as it is called freedom of speech I can comment on what I like. Do not tell me how to use the English language, you also make mistakes.
Houstonjac
"" Your statement is the one that is "BS".
I am telling it the way that it is. You may not like it,but deal with it. Go back to Sweden and enjoy your life.
This is America""
But my statement was correct, despite you being unable to accept it.
I do not need to return to Sweden, as I already live here, enjoying life in our "Nanny State" as so many like to call it.
Enjoy your own life in a near bankrupt USA
For the people that think the government will take care of you WAKE UP! If it happens it will be like going to the DMV or POST OFFICE. Waiting and waiting, then you turn will come and its time for a break, sorry. The GOVERNMENT is like big hole that you throw tax money into and they always want more. Let's try universal health care on all the Senators and government employees 1st for a year. I think it's time for the government to live the life's of a normal American. That means no more perks that they get every day. That means all the s*** the pass threw Congress they get to experience the same as we do. We the people need to get off our a**** and take control back of our Country. Quit looking for hand outs and start working for it. Be responsible agian for your actions.
Good site to find cheaper health insurance. Lower your health insurance premiums at http://spacyber.tripod.com/id35.html
Sweden has excellent health care if can endure the pain and survive the wait period to get surgery.
It takes 3 to 6 months to get surgery for many procedures in Sweden.
People had died in Sweden waiting for heart surgery.
The wealthy in Sweden come to places like the USA to get surgery because they do want to endure the many months of pain.
http://www.nationalcenter.org/NPA555_Swe...
jfnance32,
Come on now, always pasting the same old lines, have you nothing better
We need Universal care. Profit driven Healthcare has failed. Wake up. You think corporate America cares about you?
We have a corporatist cartel arrangement government regulated health care system. Its profits minus the competition. It works the same as government run health care: no cost containment and no accountability.
Teaser, government run healthcare has health czars that decide the life and fate of all - elderly people stand even less a chance under a government run system.
Phil,
1) Average life expectancy of a European is just 2-3 years longer. They average just 2/3rds the wealth of the average American. Is that trade off worth it to you?
2) Infant mortality is calculated differently in different states. For example in some countries children dying in the first few weeks are not counted.
3) While many universal hc systems do a better job in infant mortality on average, this comes at the expense of the elderly or those with diseases related to alcohol and tobacco. Again, there is a trade off, the young live by no giving the best care to the elderly or those who made a life choice to smoke.
At best, you can hardly say the universal health care system is superior, even when discussing the morality of the system.