Universal Healthcare
There is a long-standing debate in the US about whether healthcare should be provided to all citizens. There are laws that prohibit hospitals from withholding care from anyone (regardless of their ability to pay). This is an expense category that all hospitals have to deal with.
This doesn't get people the best care however. It doesn't provide for routine visits, on-going medication or follow-up.
I just posted this on FB. It's a little politically charged but I'm interested in what people think on this topic in a more practical way. What should the goal be and what should the first step be?
--- my post to FB ---
I've become convinced that universal healthcare is necessary. However, I'm not convinced that this issue is most effectively addressed by the federal government.
I also wonder... If society is going to pay the bills, shouldn't they also have the right to limit our bad habits? (yes, the cost is to give up some personal freedom)
I think a sophisticated conversation should include both sides of this. We can't have a healthier society simply by paying for more medical care.
Thoughts and critiques? It's a difficult issue... no easy answers.
Snacks anyone?
Comments (22)
I got my flu shot back in August ... they're allowing pharmacists to provide the shots now ... the evolution of healthcare continues.
It's getting cooler here ... are you starting to have some warm Spring days?
It's good to see you!
Your Health System is different to ours,so I didnt comment !!...We have to Iinsure ourselves Privatly or not!!.... But pensioners are Free, Well!! so the Story Goes!!..?
Make that Politicians are Free!!
I'm never Sick, Dunno why ??, so I dont really know much about what happens Tell you if I get Crook later on !!
Serenity is a nice name too.
Does Connecticut have a health insurance mandate like Massachusetts? We don't have an insurance requirement (law) in New York. (I know a national requirement is due to take affect some day... in 2014 was it?... It'll be interesting to see what it looks like as it comes closer to reality)
Employer-based insurance doesn't get everyone covered and can keep people from being able to change jobs.
I work with a business that offers only a limited insurance option (the employee pays for most of the insurance cost).
Challenging, isn't it? It's so difficult to talk about complicated topics... really tough when politicians are involved...
I love my job...it pays well..well enough to support my family with little left over anyway lol, but there are absolutely no benefits involved. I'd hate to leave it to find employment elsewhere but I need a job that offers insurance, can't stay on the state insurance permanently. I'd like to purchase my own, but these independent companies cost an arm and a leg and the coverage just isn't the same as the larger companies.
Very challenging indeed.
You make many good points.
That's part of the discussion though, isn't it? If society (government - being run by the citizens) is going to accept responsibility for your medical needs, isn't it fair for those who are paying the bills (you and me, the citizens) to ask everyone to be more careful?
I think there should be a balance in the healthcare system like in everything else. It plays a crucial social role so the state should be engaged with it. On the other hand, we all have seen what happens when the part of the state is too big. People who regularly pay their taxes have the right to control where their money go. Paying more and more for medical care doesn t improve things if the system is not good. Very tough topic and good world practices should be taken in consideration.
For the USA, such a system should be restricted to US citizens. It should not include the 33 million or so illegals, because that cost would break the system . . . just as it is said to have wrecked the school systems in various places.
Hi Saskia!
It's nice to see you.
You're definitely seeing the many sides of this debate. We're imperfect beings... we're going to have health issues... and we can't really control everyone's habits... yet we need to consider what we should do... what is sensible to do.
I agree about spending and how priorities seem to be set. We've had our health insurance tied to our employers for a long time here... This approach has merit but also has flaws.
It is a matter of money but also one of policy (laws). Yes, it's complicated.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Hello again, Parti
Is there discussion in Australia about this topic? The line of thought is that everyone should have access to all levels of healthcare, so it needs to be affordable for all and available to all... so the term "universal" is being used to describe it.
It does seem that you are similar to us in a way. Your current system doesn't provide "universal" healthcare; so I wonder if the topic comes up.
Of course, I also wonder about your personal opinion.
Wouldn't it be great if there were a standard of healthcare available to everyone, everywhere?
It's rather amazing that we have as much as we do, given what was available for our parents and grandparents. Overall, we've come a long way.
Perhaps in a couple of generations a lofty goal like this can be achieved... for now, the need is much greater than the resources; but we are making progress.
Thank you for adding your perspective.
There a many people in your situation and it's often a challenge for employers. Should they pay their employees well and leave them to figure things out (like healthcare) themselves or should they pay them less and take on some of their insurance planning/costs for them? There are good and bad points both ways.
One key insurance challenge is the "group" versus "individual" coverage. If your employer buys it, they pay about half as much for insurance (because it's a "group" plan so the cost/risk calculations for the insurance company are more favorable).
For myself, if I needed to find my own insurance, my best option at the moment is to go through the musicians union. Buying it on my own wouldn't work (I'm not even sure if NY State allows insurance companies to offer individual plans... it's really strange here).
I'm glad you have coverage though... The possibility of going bankrupt due to an illness is scary.
It's very nice to see you!
You make a point that I think the US is missing in our debate. There are many countries we should be learning from. I doubt it's perfect anywhere but there are key aspects of the processes already in use that have proven to be good.
This is the core of my thinking that leaving the bulk of this effort to be resolved on a more local level ... let each of our states work this out for themselves. There isn't one perfect answer and the needs of highly urban areas are different from highly rural places ... (how many doctors per square mile should there be in New York? ... how about in Montana? ... these are really different models that need to be managed differently)
Yet --- We're on speaking terms with most countries it would seem
It appears that Belgium has this mostly figured out.
Is there a "please live a healthier life" factor involved? Are there media campaigns or even laws that restrict or attempt to minimize unhealthy habits?
We have some public health campaigns here that are run by different layers of government but they don't seem to be tied to the discussion about universal healthcare. (New York State runs television ads about the dangers of smoking, for example.)
Thank you for adding your thoughts.
Free public hospitals... If I were visiting your country and needed care, could I go there too? Would treatment cost be taken care of by the good people of Australia?
I've read about visiting some countries... about Visa and Passport requirements ... and about how proof of insurance needs to be provided in order to enter the country. They need to be careful about non-citizens using resources their own citizens are paying for.
A challenging topic...