Walesdad Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 I'd be interested to know why this subject seems,at least to the news reports we get about it in the U.K.,to polarise so much opinion in the U.S.Here the majority of healthcare is free at point of need (although it's not free at all,we contribute every time we pay tax), but we do not get a bill at the end of any hospital stay.It would seem that what may be called "ordinary Americans" do not want this.Why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveAJones Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Numerous threads already in progress...here are a few: http://forums.ledzep...__1#entry362200 http://forums.ledzep...__1#entry418829 http://forums.ledzep...__1#entry392538 In a nutshell, most ordinary hard-working Americans prefer to retain the private healthcare coverage they already have as opposed to being forced into subsidizing yet another inefficient, cost-prohibitive Big Government social welfare program commonly referred to as Public Option Health Care or "Obama-care". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planted Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 I'd be interested to know why this subject seems,at least to the news reports we get about it in the U.K.,to polarise so much opinion in the U.S.Here the majority of healthcare is free at point of need (although it's not free at all,we contribute every time we pay tax), but we do not get a bill at the end of any hospital stay.It would seem that what may be called "ordinary Americans" do not want this.Why? Very few hospital stays result in an unpaid balance, and even when that does happen, most billers will work with the patient to resolve the bill. There are many foundations, for instance, who provide help to people with catastrophic illnesses. The American Cancer Society is one that comes to mind. Just pay attention to events like The Boston Marathon next April and see how many runners there are who run for their causes. Ever heard of the Pan-Mass Challenge? The Jimmy Fund? In case you couldn't tell, I am employed by a major Cancer Center. Yes, we bill our patients! And yes, some cannot pay. Some even get fired for being sick. Really. In those rare cases, Medicaid is available for those patients. Most get help from friends and family, and fundraisers. And, as hard-working taxpayer, I have absolutely no problem with my tax dollars going to help someone through a temporary set of circumstances. Medicare also offers disability benefits in the event one becomes unable to work. Heck, some people even put money aside every week in a short-/long-term disability policy. IMAGINE! Preparing? Nah. I am very aware of the scare tactics the media and government uses to forward their particular agenda. WHY, you ask? This country was built on an idea of independence from government rule. Plunging 30 million people (who did not bother to have healthcare yesterday) into a healthcare system would be a disaster. You will wait 2 years to see your doctor, oh, I meant the doctor the government tells you can see. But, what do I know? I've only worked in healthcare since 1986. It's best to pay attention to a politician who is pandering for votes. The other issue becomes finding the quality of people to continue working and pursuing careers in medicine. Can you imagine? Valedictorians will pursue other careers in architecture or law. Trust me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planted Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Oh, one more thing. Remember when I mentioned Medicaid? (a.k.a. government controlled) Well, seems as though they only pay for certain drugs to treat cancer. ie chemo. And, btw, they aren't the best money can buy. Which would you choose for you or your child/loved one? Just sayin'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starbreaker Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cryingbluerain Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 It would seem that what may be called "ordinary Americans" do not want this.Why? This maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TypeO Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 This maybe? I love the massive disparity between average debt per citizen and average debt per taxpayer. Almost 3 times higher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walesdad Posted May 23, 2011 Author Share Posted May 23, 2011 Thanks for the replies folks.I came at this with no hidden agenda,I really was interested why this topic does seem to provoke such a reaction.Most of the replies were just what I expected,cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 Well I for one envy you in the UK. I have health insurance but I have a high deductible so I pay the first $6000 in medical bills. Fortunately I am pretty healthy but I do have one chronic condition that I am hoping will get better. One doctor visit last year cost me $1800! One f-ing visit! Then they want you to do all these tests that I basically refuse because I suspect most of them are unnecessary. Also I only get 3 sick days a year and don't have time to spend sitting around hospitals. Hopefully I won't regret this but I don't want to give up going on vacations and being able to buy a Jimmy Page biography. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walesdad Posted May 24, 2011 Author Share Posted May 24, 2011 Well I for one envy you in the UK. I have health insurance but I have a high deductible so I pay the first $6000 in medical bills. Fortunately I am pretty healthy but I do have one chronic condition that I am hoping will get better. One doctor visit last year cost me $1800! One f-ing visit! Then they want you to do all these tests that I basically refuse because I suspect most of them are unnecessary. Also I only get 3 sick days a year and don't have time to spend sitting around hospitals. Hopefully I won't regret this but I don't want to give up going on vacations and being able to buy a Jimmy Page biography. Thanks for the reply Janet,your case,and people like you,would be the other side of the coin.I've read that the single biggest cause of bankruptcy in the U.S. is medical bills for the average citizen,would this probably be true? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anjin-san Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 At least 62 percent of all U.S. family bankruptcies result from medical expenses, reports a study released yesterday in The American Journal of Medicine—an increase from the 46 percent the reseachers found in 2001. Analyzing data from 2,314 randomly selected 2007 (pre–mortgage meltdown) bankruptcy filings revealed that most of those who had claimed bankruptcy because of medical expenses had health insurance, owned homes, were in their mid-40s, and had middle class incomes. http://www.scientificamerican.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walesdad Posted May 24, 2011 Author Share Posted May 24, 2011 At least 62 percent of all U.S. family bankruptcies result from medical expenses, reports a study released yesterday in The American Journal of Medicine—an increase from the 46 percent the reseachers found in 2001. Analyzing data from 2,314 randomly selected 2007 (pre–mortgage meltdown) bankruptcy filings revealed that most of those who had claimed bankruptcy because of medical expenses had health insurance, owned homes, were in their mid-40s, and had middle class incomes. http://www.scientificamerican.com That makes horrific reading and for someone brought up in the U.K. it would be unimaginable.Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anjin-san Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 Hi all, It's not sustainable,...no matter what country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electrophile Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 I would have been more on board with Obama's health care plan if it had been Medicare-for-all, or a single-payer option. There are just some things that shouldn't be run for profit -- health care, the military, and education for starters. That said, even an incremental improvement is still an improvement. My sister has health care now, and before this she wouldn't have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveAJones Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 There are just some things that shouldn't be run for profit -- health care, the military, and education for starters. A government-run health care system would ultimately discourage the best and brightest from pursuing careers in medicine and encourage those who currently have a private practice to go out of business, for starters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RolandDeschain Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 Works pretty Good here in Canada, been seeing doctors all my life never had to pay a bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anjin-san Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 Canadain debt:$561,996,880,345.00 CDN Last Updated: April 30th, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anjin-san Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 Canadain debt:$561,996,880,345.00 CDN Last Updated: April 30th, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGDAN Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 Canadain debt:$561,996,880,345.00 CDN Last Updated: April 30th, 2011 BIGDANs Debt, £Morethanyoucanimagine due to extravagant wife. Very Kind Regards, Danny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planted Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 A government-run health care system would ultimately discourage the best and brightest from pursuing careers in medicine and encourage those who currently have a private practice to go out of business, for starters. I have heard this from physicians, nurse practitioners, etc themselves. Bank on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planted Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 And to those who think Medicare is the end-all. They cover 80% of most services, not all. And, they do not cover all medications and surgical procedures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cryingbluerain Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 I would have been more on board with Obama's health care plan if it had been Medicare-for-all, or a single-payer option. Don't worry, that's the ultimate goal of Obamacare - to render the healthcare system so broken and unmanageable that federal government will have to "rescue" it with single payer/government run healthcare. There are just some things that shouldn't be run for profit -- health care, the military, and education for starters. How do you think the gov is going to keep costs in line to allow everyone access to the "free" healthcare? Rationing and death panels perhaps? A quote from Staliin comes to mind, "To make an omelet you have to scramble a few eggs". So if you're financially challenged, my advice is: Stay healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planted Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Sorry for forgetting the obvious...I live in Massachusetts where 98% of its citizens now has healthcare.... And, we are flat-ass broke. Look it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anjin-san Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Hi all, Sorry for forgetting the obvious...I live in Massachusetts where 98% of its citizens now has healthcare....And, we are flat-ass broke.Look it up. Would you stop sugar coating it!? Kidding,.... And I will say this, listen to planted,as she has worked in the health care business for years. KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planted Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Exactly! And thus creating even a bigger shortage of quality healthcare. I don't know about everybody, but I want my specialist to be rich and live in a nice house. I also want the drug companies to make outragous PROFITS as part of the incentive to develop wonderful new life saving drugs. Take the profit incentive out of anything and pretty soon it all becomes just like a high school cafeteria. Crap that you have to wait in line for, and no other options on the menu. B-b-b-but, that's not fair!!! Everyone should be the same!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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