I think I'll have to check out the Senator from Mars' statistics before I commit wholeheartedly to this. I realize to a lot of people who already agree with him that this is very compelling, but I'm 43 years old and my cynicism is very hard earned.
You really don't need to invent the wheel here. There are dozens of examples of health care systems around the world that work just fine in providing their citizens with decent care. And not one of them has lead to a spiralling descent into communism and revolution. Oh, and while you're at it enact some minimum vacation legislation.
@Mike - I have a deep-seated, and I think well-founded, distrust of government - a sentiment I believe I have expressed on this blog on numerous occasions.
The problem isn't that there aren't possible health-care solutions that could be implemented by a government that are better than what currently is available. There are, and they may very well exist in other countries. The assumption that this government, or any other US government is able or willing to take the time to find a system, take the time to work out the kinks, figure out how to make it sustainable without funky accounting (such as not counting all the costs) and stealing more money from the populace is simply not based on reality. The current pork laden and poorly thought out bills (ex. Stimulus and Waxman-Markley) are clear examples of what to expect.
Well put Sue... And it sure doesn't help when our "leaders" purposely place a sordid mixture of incompetents and corporate cronies into socially relevant government positions (eg- FEMA, EPA, etc) just to "prove" that government doesn't work.
Stan B, yeah even a ten year old knows better than to trust an insurance company. But a 43 year old knows better than to trust the government. Since they're not subject to the forces of the free market and insurance companies are, I'll take the insurance co.
If I don't like the insurance co.s service, I can switch. If I don't like the government's I can eat shit and die.
I must say, when I recently found out that it was even possible to go bankrupt through medical bills in the USA, I was completely shocked.
That this can be possible in a developed, democratic country floored me. That a child could get a devastating disease and not receive treatment... astonishing.
Here in Australia, we have free medical care, at an excellent standard, supported by voluntary private health funds that cover extras like private rooms, choice of doctor, optical, dental, etc - however all these are available through the public system. You can choose a GP who bulk-bills fees (no out-of-pocket expense to you), or not (only partially refunded by government). We have a lot of choice.
Obviously, things aren't always good for people who need to use the services available, there are waiting lists, etc, but everyone is entitled to the care they need. I could never begrudge any taxes of mine going towards supporting access to healthcare for everyone.
I think I'll have to check out the Senator from Mars' statistics before I commit wholeheartedly to this. I realize to a lot of people who already agree with him that this is very compelling, but I'm 43 years old and my cynicism is very hard earned.
ReplyDeleteI got ten years of cynicism on ya- that said, even a ten year old knows better than to trust an insurance company.
ReplyDeleteYou really don't need to invent the wheel here. There are dozens of examples of health care systems around the world that work just fine in providing their citizens with decent care. And not one of them has lead to a spiralling descent into communism and revolution.
ReplyDeleteOh, and while you're at it enact some minimum vacation legislation.
Not trusting an insurance company doesn't mean we can run into the arms of government without serious questions, Stan, as I know you would agree.
ReplyDelete@Mike - I have a deep-seated, and I think well-founded, distrust of government - a sentiment I believe I have expressed on this blog on numerous occasions.
ReplyDeleteThe problem isn't that there aren't possible health-care solutions that could be implemented by a government that are better than what currently is available. There are, and they may very well exist in other countries. The assumption that this government, or any other US government is able or willing to take the time to find a system, take the time to work out the kinks, figure out how to make it sustainable without funky accounting (such as not counting all the costs) and stealing more money from the populace is simply not based on reality. The current pork laden and poorly thought out bills (ex. Stimulus and Waxman-Markley) are clear examples of what to expect.
ReplyDeleteWell put Sue... And it sure doesn't help when our "leaders" purposely place a sordid mixture of incompetents and corporate cronies into socially relevant government positions (eg- FEMA, EPA, etc) just to "prove" that government doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteStan B, yeah even a ten year old knows better than to trust an insurance company. But a 43 year old knows better than to trust the government. Since they're not subject to the forces of the free market and insurance companies are, I'll take the insurance co.
ReplyDeleteIf I don't like the insurance co.s service, I can switch. If I don't like the government's I can eat shit and die.
Governments aren't subject to market forces?!? How long ya been at sea?
ReplyDeleteI must say, when I recently found out that it was even possible to go bankrupt through medical bills in the USA, I was completely shocked.
ReplyDeleteThat this can be possible in a developed, democratic country floored me. That a child could get a devastating disease and not receive treatment... astonishing.
Here in Australia, we have free medical care, at an excellent standard, supported by voluntary private health funds that cover extras like private rooms, choice of doctor, optical, dental, etc - however all these are available through the public system. You can choose a GP who bulk-bills fees (no out-of-pocket expense to you), or not (only partially refunded by government). We have a lot of choice.
Obviously, things aren't always good for people who need to use the services available, there are waiting lists, etc, but everyone is entitled to the care they need. I could never begrudge any taxes of mine going towards supporting access to healthcare for everyone.