Universal Healtcare is a must.

[MCBCON]

I have always, even before discovering that I had MS, wondered why we in the US do not have universal health care.  Why are some people excluded?

I am knowledgeable of how business and politics works in our country.  But, it is time we rise above the corporate shackles and fear mongering associated with it.

I know there are many who frequent the forums with diverse political ideas.  This aside I would ask others to send emails, write letters to congressmen, letters to the editor on the need for universal health care.

There are way too many stories on these boards of folks not receiving the proper healthcare. I know if I were to be without insurance for a couple of months I would be financially sunk.  The likelihood of such a thing happening in this current economy is quite a good possibility.

Universal healthcare works in Canada, England, France, and other places.  There are mountains to climb in the US in starting this endeavor for our country.  But, it is wholly unforgivable to allow our current system to continue.

[Deb61]

Great thread.  I think SOMETHING should be done.  This is a great way to find out from our Canadian friends how a universal health care system is working for them.  However, I don't know if adopting their system is the right thing for us--because of the size of our country, tax rates, numbers of immigrants, etc. etc.  Plus I do think that our system, with competitive health care services, provides us the opportunity for better equipment, research, health care, etc.  

I also think that having the same health care system nationwide would make for more bureaucracy than ever before which is already bad with just a regular health care insurance.  I would be scared that it would take even longer to get approved for a drug like Tysabri.  Working in the public school system, I see what's happened when the federal government gets involved (i.e. NCLB).  Government officials no longer listen to educators and educational experts when they're telling Congress that implementation of this act it's not working and needs to serious fixing.  Transfer that to medical care and you have a scary picture!

However, middle class families are eaten away by the cost of health care insurance premiums and deductibles.  When I had my LP in July the hospital cost only was $7000.  I had to pay 20% of that (which comes to $1400) because I met my deductible of $1000 on the MRI I just had previously ($3000).  I pay over $550 for health care insurance every month out of pocket.  I'm a teacher and Texas ranks near the bottom for teacher pay.  My husband is a self-employed musician, so I cover my entire family.  Let's say that I lost my job or had to go on disability because of my eyesight or something else--where would that leave me?  I still have to find a way to cover my family's health insurance.  

I think healthy discussion to come up with a bi-partisan plan is our only hope.  Middle class families and lower income families are in a crisis.  I have yet to hear (maybe I've not been listening) for a task force or a think tank to come up with some serious solutions to this problem in a long time.  

There are all sorts of systems, that can be an improvement, short a universal system.  Maybe consideration should be made to a combination of different kinds of systems (complete government medical HMO for lower income families, government subsidy, and private).  Or perhaps a huge tax credit for those middle class to lower class families that pay for their own insurance either from private insurance or from their employers.  

I often thought too that everyone should have the right to health care, but I think it should be based upon how much the person makes.  Wealthy families can handle their own health insurance without government help.  Middle class families (like me) need help with the exorbitant costs of rising health care premiums and deductibles.  Poor families should be provided an option for a government paid insurance or affordable insurance subsidized by the government.  There should also be serious discussion about how illegal immigrants are provided care.

No easy solutions--but talk like this is really needed!

Deb

[doublevision1]

I especially don't have a problem with the excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol.  Some Canadians refer to these as "sin taxes" ..... kind of funny.  I don't personally think these things are SINFUL, but they're definitely not essential, and tobacco use in particular puts an additional burden on the health care system.

I figure if I can enjoy a glass of wine and support my health care system at the same time, well then....cheers!  :)

db1

[Nerve_Wrecked]

Also, we have so many other things that our taxes go towards, other than just medical coverage.
Car Insurance, community/provincial benefits (Saskatchewan offers finacial benefits to low income working families),  Forestry, Education, etc.

I do have to agree with db1 that it is indeed like comparing apples to oranges.

I would however, pay a little here and a little there in my taxes, to have worry free medical coverage. Again, that's soley my personal opinion. I just wish there was a way to make it all quicker!

Christine
(un-dx)

[doublevision1]

I agree with all that this is a healthy discussion, and also with the comment by Ess….this is indeed an extraordinarily complex topic!

I’m no economist, but I would think comparing just health care systems and/or income tax and sales tax rates, outside of the greater context is insufficient and misleading.  It is such an apples and oranges comparison.  So many differences between our nations: how much we are taxed; what we are taxed on; who bears the greater burden of taxation (ie: low wage vs high wage earners); what health and social and other community services are delivered; to whom they are made available; health care outcomes; etc. etc.  It really is complex and I don’t know how one would go about objectively evaluating one vs. the other with so many variables involved.  Most of what I have read on this subject is clearly biased towards one position or the other.  There are pros and cons to each and every system, and these are subject to what the individual (and the community) values most.

Perhaps more important than the question of whether one system is better than the other, is looking to other countries to discover what is possible, and figuring out what can we learn from each other to improve on what we already have.  Although it may not always be obvious, there is ALWAYS a better way.

db1

[monotreme]

I looked up tax rates.  In Canada they range from 15 to 37 percent and then you have an additional tax to pay in the province where you live, which is mostly double digit.

In the United Kingdom where there are more people to support for universal health insurance, the tax rates are anywhere from mid 20 percent to up to 78 percent tax rate.

Craig does work with people who live in United Kingdom and they very often state that they much prefer our tax rates!!

Elaine

[Heather3418]

I don't see anything political about this discussion.  I think it's a healthy discussion.  No one is slamming anyone else and only voicing their concerns.  This is healthy.

Michael I for one am glad that you brought it up.  It helps us all to understand the health care systems around the world.

Thank you,
Heather