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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
Posted by Janice
I know this is a crazy statement...
but we pay taxes, pay for our insurance....
yet, my next c-section will cost me 4K out of pocket.
my dead beat sil is on kid #3, housing vouchers, food stamps, wic, paid childcare....she's never paid a dime to have her kids.
something isn't fair and isn't right.
From your statements it seems like you are assuming that this country can put us all into a socialized medical plan without increasing the amount of taxes we pay. I just cannot see that.
I absolutely hate my current insurance plan but I think I am getting more from it than I would get from a government sponsored plan. I do not even believe in the idea of needing referrals to see specialists.
Does your SIL use the same doctors you do? I do not think that if I were on Medicaid I could go to the same practice that I have hand selected after interviewing several OB/GYNS. That is a tradeoff I would not make.
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Posted 8/31/08 1:23 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
Having lived through both systems, there are indeed pluses and minuses to both systems.
Yet, how can we as a society turn our eyes the other direction when a HUGE part of the population cannot afford insurance. And 47 millions is not negligeable.
To me this is NOT a sign of progress but the wealthy vs the poor. Any hardship can happen to any of us.
How would anyone feel if one day they can no longer afford their insurance?
I am not for raising taxes in genera. And I don't want to support lazy people taking us for a ride to support them.
Yet, I think an affordable system is a must to provide insurance to all.
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| Posted 8/31/08 7:29 AM |
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passerby
LIF Zygote
Member since 8/08 47 total posts
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
I think socialized medicine would be a horrible mistake.
Many pp posters pointed out why, when i had an abnormal pap i went crazy waiting a day to hear what was going on i couldn't imagine having to wait 6 months. Can you imagine 6 months of cancer growing compared to finding out sooner getting treatment and living longer?
Growing up i was told get a good job with benefits and healthcare why now are we to rely on the government to give everything to us at a cost because i certainly don't want 45% of my income taxed i can barely make ends met now!
What about for example all the people that require fertility treatments to have a baby will they turn you away because you are too old or too fat. Or the fact that we can choose what immunizations to give are children and when not against immunizations but not 3-4 at a visit when my baby is a month old.
Yes insurance is ridiculous my husband is in a wheelchair (not motorized) the thing cost well over 6,000 for what its not much different than a bicycle. and there are people that take advantage of the system i worked in city ems and there were people if there child sneezed had to call a bus to go to the hospital.
I like america i like the fact that i can still make my own decisions about my life. I don't want the government stepping in and telling me what i can eat or drink ect..
when did having insurance become right?
Message edited 8/31/2008 7:32:31 AM.
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| Posted 8/31/08 7:30 AM |
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Janice
Sweet Jessie Quinn
Member since 5/05 27567 total posts
Name:
Janice
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
Posted by Janice
I know this is a crazy statement...
but we pay taxes, pay for our insurance....
yet, my next c-section will cost me 4K out of pocket.
my dead beat sil is on kid #3, housing vouchers, food stamps, wic, paid childcare....she's never paid a dime to have her kids.
something isn't fair and isn't right.
From your statements it seems like you are assuming that this country can put us all into a socialized medical plan without increasing the amount of taxes we pay. I just cannot see that.
I absolutely hate my current insurance plan but I think I am getting more from it than I would get from a government sponsored plan. I do not even believe in the idea of needing referrals to see specialists.
Does your SIL use the same doctors you do? I do not think that if I were on Medicaid I could go to the same practice that I have hand selected after interviewing several OB/GYNS. That is a tradeoff I would not make.
I am fine paying more taxes...my OP explains it can't be more then what I am paying out of pocket now.
My SIL on Medicaid has a great ped and gave birth at a wonderful hospital in FL. She loves her ob/gyn.
On SI, I use to do medical billing...the same great doctors everyone else was using also had medicaid patients.
The hospital I gave birth in was fantastic. I felt like I was on vacation...tons of medicaid people there....except their beds were no charge to them.
ETA: my main point is the working poor can't hang.
Message edited 8/31/2008 7:46:28 AM.
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| Posted 8/31/08 7:44 AM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
I live in a coutry with socialised health care and imo I feel that alot of the examples you are giving are hearsay and not truly accurate at all. I pay 9% of my salary to the NHS, ad IMO I get a fantastic service, I can call my doctors office and see my GP within a few hours, I can call a nurse service 24 hours a day, I can get a doctor out to my house in an emergency, I can get medial treatment in weeks...not months or years, and I have had nothing but great experiences on the nhs, this is not necessarily the same across the country, as its not a perfect service ad it is a bit of a postcode lottery, but from someone who uses this system on a daily basis, its a pretty good deal. Its not perfect, but surely your health insurance doesn't always run smoothly.
I had a cancer scare a few years ago and within a hour I had a biopsy, a mammogram and a sonogram. Within 2 weeks I had surgery to remove the cyst and I still to this day have follow ups on a yearly basis. A family member of mine has just had a breast cancer experiece here on LI, and imo, the timeline was very long, surgery took over a month. The NHS is very fast with breast cancer. We also have a lot more choice than people in the US do, with issues like childbirth...
And yes, you will hear horror stories, but good experiences never make the news do they?
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| Posted 8/31/08 8:11 AM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
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me
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
Posted by racheeeee
I live in a coutry with socialised health care and imo I feel that alot of the examples you are giving are hearsay and not truly accurate at all. I pay 9% of my salary to the NHS, ad IMO I get a fantastic service, I can call my doctors office and see my GP within a few hours, I can call a nurse service 24 hours a day, I can get a doctor out to my house in an emergency, I can get medial treatment in weeks...not months or years, and I have had nothing but great experiences on the nhs, this is not necessarily the same across the country, as its not a perfect service ad it is a bit of a postcode lottery, but from someone who uses this system on a daily basis, its a pretty good deal. Its not perfect, but surely your health insurance doesn't always run smoothly.
I had a cancer scare a few years ago and within a hour I had a biopsy, a mammogram and a sonogram. Within 2 weeks I had surgery to remove the cyst and I still to this day have follow ups on a yearly basis. A family member of mine has just had a breast cancer experiece here on LI, and imo, the timeline was very long, surgery took over a month. The NHS is very fast with breast cancer. We also have a lot more choice than people in the US do, with issues like childbirth...
And yes, you will hear horror stories, but good experiences never make the news do they?
Thanks for backing me up on this one!
I had the greatest services when I lived in France. The greatest doctors are for everyone and anyone. I never waited hours in the ER.
The system here is what it is. We all deal with it.
But let's not say it's the perfect system either.
Recently I called a refered pediatric pulmonologist and was told the earliest appt was in September. I had called early July.
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| Posted 8/31/08 8:32 AM |
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Janice
Sweet Jessie Quinn
Member since 5/05 27567 total posts
Name:
Janice
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
Posted by stickydust
I am not for socialized health care but I do believe something needs to be done. I am fortunate enough to have excellent health care but I know that everyone is not as lucky.
With respect to the illegal immigrant issue it is an equally difficult situation because the alternative to treating these people is to just let them die which seems incredibly inhumane to me. Suppose an illegal immigrant child gets a life threating injury in a car accident are we just supposed to let him bleed to death on the street?
I guess I am just surprised at how all of us (including myself) are so full of contradictions. If you believe that everyone deserves health care than you should believe that they deserve it because they are human not because of where they were born.
I am starting to sound like a liberal
 
great points.
This is what I know...
my sister has been dating an illegal immigrant for 4 years now. In those 4 years, he has ALWAYS paid taxes...it might have been to a SSN number not his own...and now he pays under an ID number.
A lot of illegal immigrants do pay taxes, just to a former employee's ssn.
But, there are tons of born Americans with zero interest in working....who don't pay a dime in taxes.
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| Posted 8/31/08 9:08 AM |
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klingklang77
kraftwerk!
Member since 7/06 11487 total posts
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
Posted by racheeeee
I live in a coutry with socialised health care and imo I feel that alot of the examples you are giving are hearsay and not truly accurate at all. I pay 9% of my salary to the NHS, ad IMO I get a fantastic service, I can call my doctors office and see my GP within a few hours, I can call a nurse service 24 hours a day, I can get a doctor out to my house in an emergency, I can get medial treatment in weeks...not months or years, and I have had nothing but great experiences on the nhs, this is not necessarily the same across the country, as its not a perfect service ad it is a bit of a postcode lottery, but from someone who uses this system on a daily basis, its a pretty good deal. Its not perfect, but surely your health insurance doesn't always run smoothly.
I had a cancer scare a few years ago and within a hour I had a biopsy, a mammogram and a sonogram. Within 2 weeks I had surgery to remove the cyst and I still to this day have follow ups on a yearly basis. A family member of mine has just had a breast cancer experiece here on LI, and imo, the timeline was very long, surgery took over a month. The NHS is very fast with breast cancer. We also have a lot more choice than people in the US do, with issues like childbirth...
And yes, you will hear horror stories, but good experiences never make the news do they?
I agree.
I live in a country where everyone gets health care, and it is pretty good, but dental is not covered and the public hospitals are ok, but the private are better. So DH and I pay for private and it is nowhere near as expensive as it is in the US. I think we pay $200 extra a month for both of us. If I didn't need dental care so often (I have early gum disease) then we wouldn't mind public health care. Since we can afford private health care- why not? It was something I couldn't afford in the US.
The population isn't so healthy here- they drink and smoke and Australia has the highest percentage of obesity in the world.
Message edited 8/31/2008 9:39:25 AM.
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| Posted 8/31/08 9:38 AM |
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Moehick
Ready for the sun!
Member since 5/05 30339 total posts
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Properly perfect™
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
Posted by klingklang77
Posted by racheeeee
I live in a coutry with socialised health care and imo I feel that alot of the examples you are giving are hearsay and not truly accurate at all. I pay 9% of my salary to the NHS, ad IMO I get a fantastic service, I can call my doctors office and see my GP within a few hours, I can call a nurse service 24 hours a day, I can get a doctor out to my house in an emergency, I can get medial treatment in weeks...not months or years, and I have had nothing but great experiences on the nhs, this is not necessarily the same across the country, as its not a perfect service ad it is a bit of a postcode lottery, but from someone who uses this system on a daily basis, its a pretty good deal. Its not perfect, but surely your health insurance doesn't always run smoothly.
I had a cancer scare a few years ago and within a hour I had a biopsy, a mammogram and a sonogram. Within 2 weeks I had surgery to remove the cyst and I still to this day have follow ups on a yearly basis. A family member of mine has just had a breast cancer experiece here on LI, and imo, the timeline was very long, surgery took over a month. The NHS is very fast with breast cancer. We also have a lot more choice than people in the US do, with issues like childbirth...
And yes, you will hear horror stories, but good experiences never make the news do they?
I agree.
I live in a country where everyone gets health care, and it is pretty good, but dental is not covered and the public hospitals are ok, but the private are better. So DH and I pay for private and it is nowhere near as expensive as it is in the US. I think we pay $200 extra a month for both of us. If I didn't need dental care so often (I have early gum disease) then we wouldn't mind public health care. Since we can afford private health care- why not? It was something I couldn't afford in the US.
The population isn't so healthy here- they drink and smoke and Australia has the highest percentage of obesity in the world.
Based on what you say here and the healthcare all my family in Ireland recieves I am all for it! I have never heard any hooror stories first hand about universal healthcare....the horror stories are all right here
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| Posted 8/31/08 10:09 AM |
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mcl916
my two loves
Member since 10/06 5133 total posts
Name:
Megan
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
Posted by klingklang77
Posted by racheeeee
I live in a coutry with socialised health care and imo I feel that alot of the examples you are giving are hearsay and not truly accurate at all. I pay 9% of my salary to the NHS, ad IMO I get a fantastic service, I can call my doctors office and see my GP within a few hours, I can call a nurse service 24 hours a day, I can get a doctor out to my house in an emergency, I can get medial treatment in weeks...not months or years, and I have had nothing but great experiences on the nhs, this is not necessarily the same across the country, as its not a perfect service ad it is a bit of a postcode lottery, but from someone who uses this system on a daily basis, its a pretty good deal. Its not perfect, but surely your health insurance doesn't always run smoothly.
I had a cancer scare a few years ago and within a hour I had a biopsy, a mammogram and a sonogram. Within 2 weeks I had surgery to remove the cyst and I still to this day have follow ups on a yearly basis. A family member of mine has just had a breast cancer experiece here on LI, and imo, the timeline was very long, surgery took over a month. The NHS is very fast with breast cancer. We also have a lot more choice than people in the US do, with issues like childbirth...
And yes, you will hear horror stories, but good experiences never make the news do they?
I agree.
I live in a country where everyone gets health care, and it is pretty good, but dental is not covered and the public hospitals are ok, but the private are better. So DH and I pay for private and it is nowhere near as expensive as it is in the US. I think we pay $200 extra a month for both of us. If I didn't need dental care so often (I have early gum disease) then we wouldn't mind public health care. Since we can afford private health care- why not? It was something I couldn't afford in the US.
The population isn't so healthy here- they drink and smoke and Australia has the highest percentage of obesity in the world.
It's great to hear some positive stories about socialized medicine. I honestly believe it COULD work, but I'm not sure our government would be able to do it properly. I certainly can't see them doing it with only 9% of our income tax (although that would be fantastic). And if they could come up with a plan for the private system like you're saying about Australia for those who choose to pay extra that would be even better! I just think the system is SO far gone here right now that it would very difficult to socialize it. But I appreciate both of your experiences, it definately ehlps see the other side better then I think most of us do (becuase you are right- all we hear about is the horror sotires).
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| Posted 8/31/08 10:13 AM |
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mcl916
my two loves
Member since 10/06 5133 total posts
Name:
Megan
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
Oh and I just wanted to ask- how does a socialized system work for those unemployed or illegal? Does the rest of the country support them?
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| Posted 8/31/08 10:15 AM |
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BunnyWife
Insert Witty Comment Here
Member since 5/07 8274 total posts
Name:
BunnyWife
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
Posted by klingklang77
Posted by racheeeee
I live in a coutry with socialised health care and imo I feel that alot of the examples you are giving are hearsay and not truly accurate at all. I pay 9% of my salary to the NHS, ad IMO I get a fantastic service, I can call my doctors office and see my GP within a few hours, I can call a nurse service 24 hours a day, I can get a doctor out to my house in an emergency, I can get medial treatment in weeks...not months or years, and I have had nothing but great experiences on the nhs, this is not necessarily the same across the country, as its not a perfect service ad it is a bit of a postcode lottery, but from someone who uses this system on a daily basis, its a pretty good deal. Its not perfect, but surely your health insurance doesn't always run smoothly.
I had a cancer scare a few years ago and within a hour I had a biopsy, a mammogram and a sonogram. Within 2 weeks I had surgery to remove the cyst and I still to this day have follow ups on a yearly basis. A family member of mine has just had a breast cancer experiece here on LI, and imo, the timeline was very long, surgery took over a month. The NHS is very fast with breast cancer. We also have a lot more choice than people in the US do, with issues like childbirth...
And yes, you will hear horror stories, but good experiences never make the news do they?
I agree.
I live in a country where everyone gets health care, and it is pretty good, but dental is not covered and the public hospitals are ok, but the private are better. So DH and I pay for private and it is nowhere near as expensive as it is in the US. I think we pay $200 extra a month for both of us. If I didn't need dental care so often (I have early gum disease) then we wouldn't mind public health care. Since we can afford private health care- why not? It was something I couldn't afford in the US.
The population isn't so healthy here- they drink and smoke and Australia has the highest percentage of obesity in the world.
Thank you both for this! It's good to hear from people who actually live in a country with socialized medicine and KNOW what it's about. I have friends who live in the UK and have nothing but good things to say about their healthcare. The maternity leave you guys get is sick
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| Posted 8/31/08 10:18 AM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
Posted by racheeeee
I live in a coutry with socialised health care and imo I feel that alot of the examples you are giving are hearsay and not truly accurate at all. I pay 9% of my salary to the NHS, ad IMO I get a fantastic service, I can call my doctors office and see my GP within a few hours, I can call a nurse service 24 hours a day, I can get a doctor out to my house in an emergency, I can get medial treatment in weeks...not months or years, and I have had nothing but great experiences on the nhs, this is not necessarily the same across the country, as its not a perfect service ad it is a bit of a postcode lottery, but from someone who uses this system on a daily basis, its a pretty good deal. Its not perfect, but surely your health insurance doesn't always run smoothly.
I had a cancer scare a few years ago and within a hour I had a biopsy, a mammogram and a sonogram. Within 2 weeks I had surgery to remove the cyst and I still to this day have follow ups on a yearly basis. A family member of mine has just had a breast cancer experiece here on LI, and imo, the timeline was very long, surgery took over a month. The NHS is very fast with breast cancer. We also have a lot more choice than people in the US do, with issues like childbirth...
And yes, you will hear horror stories, but good experiences never make the news do they?
you pay 9% of your income for healthcare?
eta: I just figured it out. I pay 1% of my salary for healthcare for DH and I - which includes dental and vision.
Message edited 8/31/2008 10:30:17 AM.
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| Posted 8/31/08 10:22 AM |
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klingklang77
kraftwerk!
Member since 7/06 11487 total posts
Name:
Völlig losgelöst
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
Posted by mcl916
Oh and I just wanted to ask- how does a socialized system work for those unemployed or illegal? Does the rest of the country support them?
If you are unemployed and a resident you get health insurance. I have no idea about illegal residents, b/c Australia is VERY strict about illegal immigrants. Illegal immigrants aren't really a huge problem here and I don't know how they would go to the doctor, b/c you have to show your medicare (our health care system here) card. Immigration is very strict and I don't even know how they could even stay here without some sort of visa.
Sorry I can't totally answer your question- hubby is asleep and it is 1 am here  .
Message edited 8/31/2008 6:54:27 PM.
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| Posted 8/31/08 10:49 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
I don't think our healthcare system is all that great.
Insurance plans vary greatly and you could be left paying a lot out of pocket for care.
out of network doctors for my plan cost me 30% co-insurance. That's before I have spent $4K out of pocket. My in network services cost me 10% co-insurance.
I work for a big firm that really good plans. I think the only plans that are better are gov't plans. Kind of ironic, no?
Last year I spent almost $6K on medical expenses. I can't even use that as a deduction because it doesn't meet IRS guidelines. That doesn't include my premiums. That comes out to over 9% of my income for medical expenses.
Ok, fine, I will pay that if it means that everyone else can get the care I get. If it means that I have to wait months for care, then it's a different story.
I want everyone to be able to get the care they need. I don't know if we will ever see the systems that Europe has, but clearly there is a need that we need to address as a nation.
We also need to address our immigration or illegal alien issues.
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| Posted 8/31/08 10:56 AM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
Posted by klingklang77
Posted by mcl916
Oh and I just wanted to ask- how does a socialized system work for those unemployed or illegal? Does the rest of the country support them?
If you are unemployed and a resident you get health insurance. I have no idea about illegal residents, b/c Australia is VERY strict about illegal immigrants. Illegal immigrants aren't really a huge problem here and I don't know how they would go to the doctor, b/c you have to show your medicare (our health care system here) card. Immigration is very strict and I don't even know how they could even stay here with some sort of visa.
Sorry I can't totally answer your question- hubby is asleep and it is 1 am here .
I wish the US had a strict immigration policy!
the way I see it - you can't have it all and you certainly can't please everyone.
the bottom line is that the money has to come from somewhere.
people in the US are already struggling making ends meet b/c of higher oil prices. imagine if they got to keep even less of their income b/c of socialized healthcare. the standard of living in the US would go way down IMO. the poor in this country would be in even worse shape. the only one's who would benefit are the 47M without insurance. and that is about 15% of the population here.
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| Posted 8/31/08 11:00 AM |
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Janice
Sweet Jessie Quinn
Member since 5/05 27567 total posts
Name:
Janice
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
okay, I pay 8%....
for a 750.00 deductible on each fam member...
then 20% of all costs..
hitting a 2K max out of pocket(750 does not go towards this)
dental...forget it.
2 fillings, exam, xray...I hit my maximum benefits.
oddly enough, with dh's next promotion, he will be getting paid much more and the company will pay for our insurance.
its the working poor who are getting hit....I know 2 of his co-workers that waive the insurance.
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| Posted 8/31/08 11:04 AM |
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browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
Member since 6/06 6513 total posts
Name:
browneyes
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
oh heck no! never ever ever!!
i have family in europe and they HATE the socialized medicine. they complain about it left and right. my SIL's mother is dying due to the shoddy "care" she is receiving. it's awful what is happening to her. and then my SIL's delivery of her son...another distaster! my BIL (who is american) won't even go to the doctors there.
i love my health insurance and wouldn't change it for anything. i get excellent and immediate care.
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| Posted 8/31/08 11:16 AM |
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AmyG13
LIF Infant
Member since 12/07 159 total posts
Name:
Amy
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
I don't know enough about the different types of socialized health care programs around the world to know if one would be right for the US. BUt I do feel that what we have now doesn't work.
I work for the county and have great insurance. BUt my husband is self employed and under my program. I'm very worried about what we'll do if we ever start TTC. The day I go off the books at my job, my insurance coverage stops. So that leaves us with a new baby and no coverage, even though we both work and pay taxes. Doesn't seem right.
I read an article recently about Massachusetts mandating people to have health insurance. It seems to be working well for them so far, but I haven't read into it too deeply. It raised taxes slightly, but saved millions in Medicaid costs.
I think if we moved to a socialized insurance program it wouldn't hurt people economically they way they fear. The money spent for general care costs through Medicaid could be re-routed to the new program (so no tax change there) and you're salary would go up (in theory) when your employer doesn't have to pay out for your health care costs.
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| Posted 8/31/08 11:18 AM |
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AmyG13
LIF Infant
Member since 12/07 159 total posts
Name:
Amy
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
Posted by passerby
when did having insurance become right?
When did seeking medical care become a privilege?
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| Posted 8/31/08 11:20 AM |
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imagin916
LIF Adult
Member since 6/05 1826 total posts
Name:
Valerie
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
Posted by SweetestOfPeas
Posted by Janice
Posted by dm24angel
What ER is this?
I had no insurance when I was like 21 and had a small health threat. two ER visits and I paid A LOT for them.
agreed. my brother is a waiter...pays taxes, just insurance isn't being offered to him.
slipped on ice outside my house....still paying the ER bill out of pocket.
so then how are all these illegals getting "free" care at our hospitals? I don't personally know any. but it seems like people are always talking about it.
I really wouldn't say its "free", but since they are here illegally, have no social security # or anything, they are billed and they just don't pay. They have nothing to lose, no credit report to ruin, no collateral like a house, so the bill goes unpaid. That is even if they give a real name in the first place.
Due to the EMTALA laws, ER's are not allowed to turn anyone away without a "medical screening exam". Technically, if a patient came in with a complaint of a pimple, and they were turned away at triage and later developed some kind of infection and sued, they would win. Therefore, noone gets turned away even for the most ridiculous thing. The law was meant to protect those who really had emergencies and to ensure treatment despite inability to pay, but the law is now being used to abuse the system. People know they can't be turned away, so insted of going to a free clinic and waiting a few days for an appointment, they just show up at the ER.
NBC nightly news ER overcrowding
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| Posted 8/31/08 11:25 AM |
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pinkandblue
Our family is complete, maybe
Member since 9/05 32436 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
no
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| Posted 8/31/08 11:53 AM |
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cjik
Welcome 2010!
Member since 2/06 8879 total posts
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
Posted by Tilde
Posted by donegal419
instead of socialized medicine, perhaps there are other alternatives. for one, it should be ILLEGAL for companies such as Wal-mart to let you work 39.5 hours a week and give you NO health care. this is why we have the working poor--- people working 2-3 jobs like this a week, but have no health care because these greedy corporations won't give them affordable or any benefits because they don't work "full" time. Corporations should be REQUIRED to pay a certain percentage of their profits toward health care for employees that need it. small business owners should be given tax breaks or grants from the government so that they can insure themselves and their employees. those who have to rely on private insurance should be given tax credits to help them to do so.
Would you mind running for president??? Some great ideas here!
What is interesting (and extremely unfair) about WalMart is that they have an entirely different health care package for their executive staff. I know this because a friend of mine was offered a job working at that level, but did not want to move to their headquarters. The much lower payed store staff have health care, but it is crappy, and pretty much a waste of money from what I understand (they pay something for it as well). This should also be illegal IMO.
I really don't know what the answer is to our healthcare crisis. Ignoring the problem though will do us no good. If a program could be developed that would cover every American, I wouldn't mind paying extra taxes.
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| Posted 8/31/08 11:54 AM |
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cjik
Welcome 2010!
Member since 2/06 8879 total posts
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
Posted by browneyedgirl
oh heck no! never ever ever!!
i have family in europe and they HATE the socialized medicine. they complain about it left and right. my SIL's mother is dying due to the shoddy "care" she is receiving. it's awful what is happening to her. and then my SIL's delivery of her son...another distaster! my BIL (who is american) won't even go to the doctors there.
i love my health insurance and wouldn't change it for anything. i get excellent and immediate care.
This is great for you, and I'm glad you have excellent care. But what would you do if you lost your job or your SO did? Do you know how much COBRA coverage costs? Most people on a moderate salary could not afford it.
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| Posted 8/31/08 11:55 AM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Another political topic - would you want socialized (or universal) healthcare in the US?
Posted by SweetestOfPeas
eta: I just figured it out. I pay 1% of my salary for healthcare for DH and I - which includes dental and vision.
we pay 34% of every weekly paycheck to health insurance.
And we can barely afford the copays b/c of how much we spend on it in general.
we avoid going to the Dr's unless its a real emergency ( for us anyway, the baby always goes) b/c of the co-pays...
We also right now pay $168 a month in RX's....on top of it.
Once I start going to my high risk Dr for my PG..I will be paying a $40 copay anywhere from weekly to 2x's a month.
I have NOT included in this the deductibles and copays for hospital stays etc.
It all comes out to way more then my rent
Eta- this is through my husbands employer. IF we had to pay out of pocket, we simply couldnt. We also could never pay for Cobra if we had to.
We would have to have one of us find another job ASAP with insurance.
Message edited 8/31/2008 2:25:59 PM.
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| Posted 8/31/08 2:22 PM |
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