"[Dr. Schauffhausen] is amazed how people think universal health care will somehow improve care. It is just a different form of insurance payments. There are actual things we can do to improve health, and I'm pretty sure insurance has nothing to do with it." {name has been changed}
As someone who knows that universal health care comes with a trade-off, but still thinks everyone should be able to see a doctor, I was really disappointed to hear this. For people in the upper half of society universal health care will not improve health care, because you are already insured. Try living without health care for a year, however, and you will know how millions of Americans live. Any health care is better than slowly dying and not being able to do anything about it.Despite my knowledge that I will cover some of that cost, I think the trade-off is worth the peace of mind in knowing that everyone has an equal chance.
Obviously this is something I feel passionately about. If this post makes you feel like you need to say something (either side of the issue), I would like to know your thoughts (I'll try to be open-minded).
6 Comments:
I blogged about this a while ago. I've had some heated conversations with people in Arizona about this. They totally don't get it. They've been raised their whole lives to believe that socailized medicine will lead to soviet communism. It's no accident either. There has been a concerted indoctrination effort to this effect in place for several decades, mostly on the part of lobyists and their associated polititians. Yes, there are problems with universal healthcare, but they are so much more minor than the problem of just not letting people get medical care. I have almost nothing good to say about the insurance companies. Their very existence in many cases is almost entirely to the detriment of humans. Also, did anyone see Lost tonight? Pretty cool huh?
Oh, no spoilers on Lost! Janelle and I are probably going to watch it online tonight (we don't have a TV, so we are always a day behind).
Thanks Andrew. I get so annoyed at people (my boss) who are CONVINCED that socialized medicine is going to absolutely ruin America (believe me I hear the rants a lot from him since we are an insurance broker it comes up a lot).
Although I got super sick a few months back and mentioned that it was possible I had pneumonia. He told me to go to the doctor because he was really worried about me (sincere), I said I would go if he wanted to shell out $500 for a chest x-ray and a dose of antibiotics. He didn't bring up the socialized medicine thing again for a while. Its been nice.
Dr. Schauffhausen!
That's a good movie.
"Excuse me, may I go to the bathroom?"
"Yes"
"ahhhhhhhh, thank you"
Ok, I agree and disagree. This may be long so just bear with me. The health care system needs a fix no question, yet I feel that government run universal health care is not the fix we need. A government run program always becomes a bureaucratic mess and in the end, stifles innovation. Why is it that very often leaders of other countries (including Canada) come here for medical treatment? They come because a free market system, even in health care, brings innovation. Those who live in Canada say, "it is awesome to just be able to go to the doctor and never see a bill". Yet, many of those have not ever had a major health issue that required tests and procedures that had waiting lists or delays. Just a few weeks ago Leslie and I were talking about a test we would like to have done in regards to our health. I had it done the next day, called her and she said it would be 3 months to get in and another 6 months before the test could be done. When Grandpa passed away there were so many delays in getting CAT scans and MRI's that were desperately needed. I also remember a huge problem with continuity of care. I know that his illness was dragged on and on as we tried desperately to get the tests and care he needed. I know you may say that you would rather have people deal with a wait than no care at all and I understand that, but to me that means we need to find a free market solution. Why is socialized medicine the only answer?
I feel that those in our society with no way to get health coverage need help. I just don't see why the only option that is being seriously explored is government run health care....there ARE other options and ideas. Right now we are in such a mess financially as a country and it is getting worse by the day. I just can't see how we can afford this plan. Ok there are my thoughts! I hope you don't mind an opposing opinion
Love you and I am proud of your hard work and future in medicine. BTW, Chirs's Dad is a DO. xoxo
Andrew! Thanks for this post! I agree with you. I am facing the wonderful (not so wonderful) fact that in just a few months I will be uninsurable (gotta love pre existing conditions). My husband makes too much for government assistance like medicaid, but not enough to be able to support the medical bills I (may) have. I have been having a horrible time trying to find out how to get care....... boo so ya Universal Health Care would help those of us who "aren't" insurable!
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