The Great Health Debate

I don't understand how people can be opposed to having universal health care. I do understand people being resistant to change. I understand people having a fear of the government controlling decisions about their health. I get that. I do.

Still, how can anyone oppose health care reform? How can anyone look at the health care system we have now and think, I'm going to scream and throw fits at public hearings to oppose those dumb, tree-hugging Democrats from changing the great health care system we have in this country!

Health care in this country is a disaster. The only people making out are the drug companies and insurance companies. They're driving more people into bankruptcy every day.

And when exactly was it decided that we're modeling our health care system after Canada's and so we should take every Canadian dissatisfied with their health care and have them scare the daylights out of us with their horror stories to convince us to oppose universal health care?

We're not Canada. We're not trying to be Canada. We're trying not to be 37th ranked country in health care out of 191. And if the life expectancy and infant mortality rates have any bearing, well, sounds like Canada's health care system may just be better than ours. And they spend less money on it.

I'm just saying.

If you read or listen about the costs of Medicare, in the next few decades those costs are not only going to exceed the budgeted amount for the program, it's going to exceed the entire federal budget. Our current health care system is not sustainable. Status quo will cease to be an option. For those of us with an ounce of logic, it already has.

And Medicare and Medicaid are only one part of the problem. I pay over $500/month for health care. That's with my company paying half and a $4,000 deductible. This is not unusual. I also don't see it as acceptable. And then of course, there's all the co-pays. Last time I checked on how much the insurance company actually covered of my son's allergy medication, it was $5. My co-pay was $35. They may consider Claritin an alternative for Singulair, but my son's allergies don't. Exactly what the hell am I paying them for? Honestly, I'd prefer not to pay them at all, and just put money in my own account for medical expenses. But you can't take that chance, can you? Because what if you're in a car crash or get cancer? There's no budgeting for that. And not having health insurance when going into a hospital, well you might as well go in with a sign that says you're a dead beat, loser and they should just let you die.

It's not fair.

Health care should not be a for-profit business. It should not be smart business for drug companies and doctors to treat us but not cure us. Not that there is a cure for terminal illnesses like AIDS or cancer, but there certainly isn't any incentive for them to give us one either. I mean, I'd like to believe these company's have my family's best interests at heart, but somehow I'm just not feeling it.

So does this make me a communist? I have no interest in moving to Russia or Canada, at least not yet. I believe Obama's on the right track, just like the Clintons were 16 years ago. Sixteen years and we've only been letting it get worse. People are actually fighting to keep it from getting better. I mean, unless you're the drug or insurance companies, I really don't see what you have to lose.

Universal health care. Health care for everyone who needs it. With the option to keep the insurance you have now if you want it, and the assurance that you don't have to change doctors.

Really makes you want to scream, doesn't it?

So here goes.

RATIONAL, INTELLIGENT PEOPLE DO NOT SCREAM THEIR FOOL HEADS OFF DISRUPTING TOWN MEETINGS AND MAKING THREATENING PHONE CALLS TO SENATORS IN THE MIDDLE OF NIGHT!!!

And why is anyone still listening to Sarah Palin? Has it not been made clear to everyone that the woman couldn't even describe what the job of VP in this country actually entails. I wish that woman would find that so-called "Bridge to Nowhere" and walk her way-too-expensively-with-taxpayer-money-clad-ass over it and disappear.

Comments

[Lisa]

I'm sorry but I'm Canadaian and the system sucks. You are treated like garbage and the wiat time for everything is out of this world. The system is so bogged down with every little sore throat and cough that the real issues are left behind! Don't fix what is not broken. Help those who need the help but that is not ALL of us. Get a job and pay for it yourself.
A handout is not always better. And who is gonna pay for these people who can't do for themselves?? Real smart!

[Diosa]

Lisa, The problem is that we're already paying for the people who can't do it for themselves. They cause our health care premiums to rise every year. It's getting so that hard working people like myself, who have health care are having difficulty paying for it and our deductions are so high we will often put off treatment.

Interesting to get a Canadian's opinion, though so far the impression I'm getting is that the grass is always greener on this issue.

I still believe we need some government regulation here. Treatment should not cost more or less depending on whether or not you have insurance and what type of insurance that is. And health care should never be a for-profit enterprise.