What do you think about your health care? A question for you Americans

[lace1228]

What do you think about your health care? I can't seem to understand why you don't have universal health care and all the benefits it has.

[Darkfairie17]

I like my health care system a lot actually (but I am Canadian, so its universal). I find it really strange that people do not think universal health care is a good thing. They automatically go to the assumption that anyone who doesn't have health insurance is a low life with no motivation in life. Sure some people are like that, but not all. I lived in a small town my whole life, my parents worked really hard for what we did have, and we did alright. But had they been in charge of paying for each hospital visit, then I don't think we would have done alright at all. I also worked full time at a fast food restaurant, as it was the only place in the small town to work, and I would not have made enough to afford health care if I had to pay for it. So I don't think people should think that everyone who can't afford health insurance or doesn't get it with their job is a low life.

Most minimum wage jobs do not provide that type of health insurance, or benefits. I had to fork out money for some of my medications because when I was working my parent's insurance wouldn't cover it. And it wasn't cheap. So I appreciate what I have for benefits at my college now.

Maybe people would have said I was a lowlife, but this lowlife is one year away from graduating college and getting a decent job with good benefits. So I don't think people can label anyone who doesn't have health insurance as a no good, welfare case.

Think about it, I would rather have someone take any money they would have spent on health care to better their life. Maybe they will use that money to buy some groceries, or pay for their car so they can get to their job, or maybe pay for heat. Whatever it is, I think that helps them in a way. And what happens if someone has a great job and is injured and can no longer work? The health insurance runs out at some point, they get big bills they can no longer pay, life starts to get very hard. But I guess they are just low life's too? They just take from the system and don't give back? I don't think so, I think everyone has a right to health care no matter their income.

[lace1228]

I don't get it either , I too live in Canada and I really appreciate having a health card. It really sickens me to think of someone having to go into major debt. Yes some people might take advantage of the system but when it comes to health their shouldn't be a price tag to high when it comes to the health of another human being. Everyone should get the same treatment and a persons life in some cases shouldn't be determined by how much or how little money they make.

[Anonymous]

there are costs invovled. it's not as easy to do as it is to say

[lace1228]

I live in Canada and it really isn't as complicated as one would think I mean wouldn't you like to able to see a Dr and not pay a single penny for your visit? I mean seriously I have to girls and stayed in the Hospitail for a couple of days I had nurses 24hr a day 3 meals a day and you know much money that I had to pay? ZERO dollars I paid nothing at all. Also because I have a low income the goverment gives me $927.00 dollars every month to help with expensives.

[ShishKabob]

The government doesn't pay you $927 a month,people who work their asses off pay that $927 a month. For the record I'm for a public healthcare system, but all too often hear people talking about free things you can get from the government. For many people it is a way of life, and they have no problem purposely having kids when they're in poverty because the government will give them money for food, diapers, etc.

[lace1228]

I just want to first state that I do work but because of the economy and that I live in a small town getting a full time job isn't very easy so I do what I can, with that being said I pay my taxes just like everyone does, paying my taxes is just an everyday thing and is money you don't see anyways so it isn't like you miss it. Have you seen the film Sicko? If not I recomend it. Also things happen in a person life and they go from having a great job and lose it until they can find something else

[lace1228]

then it is like we come togather to help them because things can happen to anyone at any given moment.

[Kidv71]

To the Canadian: who pays for you health care? Do you pay taxes in Canada? Then no it is not free. The US provides national security for most the wold so now countries like yours can provide care like that and pay a great deal less on their own security.

I have 3 very good friend in Canada who have come here for proceedures because the healthcare there wasn't going to allow or it would take far to long to have it don't with high death risk. How do you explain this?

[lace1228]

I know it isn't free but it is money I don't see anyways so it isn't like I miss it. It is nice to know that if or when something goes wrong I can get help and not worry about some out rages bill afterward. I recomand everyone to see sicko.

[honeyltsme]

Health is fundamentally a non-partisan issue, but in the U.S. they have succeeded to politicize it such that democrats and republicans are at each others' throats. As a result you have the appearance of a vigorous debate and political process, but in reality one half of the country cancels the other one out democratically, resulting in little or no constructive forward motion.

Decades back we were evolving to have a reasonable universal health care; could have been similar to Medicare but for folks of all ages; it stopped with Nixon who championed a way to monetize health care. The path the nation took afterward is too hard now to backtrack to a healthy universal healthcare. Basically a whole lot of powerful people would have to lose extremely comfortable living (health insurance and medical fields and lobbyists) for us to be able to have a universal health care that's affordable, and they simply won't let that happen.

[palek]

I think I speak for all Americans (as always) when I say only mentally-constipated, weak-willed dullards would exchange their independence for the cyanide-soaked tit of universal healthcare! Give me liberty, or give me death!...Well, maybe death is too strong a word.

[lace1228]

suite yourself I am just glad that when I get sick or my children get sick or hurt I can get help that is needed and not worry about where or how I am getting the money to pay for it, and I feel very independent by the way.

[Kidv71]

Amen. I earn mine now I need to earn for others? How is that America?

[Shaun]

Americans pay, per capita, twice as much as the rest of the advanced world, kidv. only a dummy would brag on that.

[palek]

If I'm ever rushed to the emergency room for surgery, the first thing they'll notice is my tongue planted firmly in my cheek!

[sikoo31]

america is f***ed up in so many levels... the health care scam is just one more.