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.

[SOONERMOM]

Don't forget about Medicare Part-D.  It was passed a few years ago and covers prescriptions for seniors who sign up for it.  

This is an extremely complicated problem.  When all the baby-boomers retire and are on medicare, we will see how it is for a large segment of our population to be on "government healthcare".  I expect for the tax rate to soar.  Will people be willing to work for only 50% of what they actually earn??

I guess what bothers me the most is how the insurance companies can decide not to cover pre-existing conditions.  They pretty much operate on a win-win situation.   I had thought that it just happened with individual policies, but they are starting that with our insurance??  Since I have had all these tests run, they doubled our copays w/specialists and prescriptions in the middle of the sign up year.  They also decided they didn't want to pay for my last MRI and that is going to cost over $2000.

I think that everyone should be able to get insurance that needs it.  They really just want to insure healthy people.  I also don't think someone should have to go bankrupt because they are really ill.

No Easy Answers!!

Stacey

[essdipity]

There is just no good answer to this. Of course we want health care for everyone, and to have it affordable. No one should suffer because of lack of ability to pay. I think it's a human right.

At the same time, the systems in place in many other countries have huge problems. We hear from members in Canada, Australia and the UK that they have long waits, few choices and many frustrations. These places have private providers too, who serve only those who can pay full freight and get more elite services. At this point I'm glad to be able to choose who gives me health care, and where. But we all wind up paying anyway, since those without resources go to ERs and other services which must provide care, regardless of means. That's why the amounts our insurance is charged are so huge. Somebody has to pay. I doubt if America will have an answer for this anytime soom, no matter who gets elected.

ess

[Momzilla]

Amy's right.  We have more seniors now than ever before.  There have to be programs for them, but I think it makes more sense for the pharmaceuticals companies to give these deserving people a break, rather than get the government involved.  

And I'm a Democrat, belive it or not!

Zilla*

[monotreme]

Universal health care is not the solution to the health care crisis.

For one thing, health care is accessible to you if you lose your job.  States have Medicaid.  People on social secrity disability have Medicare.

States need to come up with their own plans to provide access to care.  For example, Pennsylvania has access to health care for all children through CHIP.  Any child is allowed into the system.  For those in higher income brackets you may have to pay some of the cost, but it is much less than private insurance.

The same goes for Delaware.  No one is denied care.  In fact, illegal immigrants get MRI's free of charge, surgery free of charge etc.  They pay nothing.
Universal health care already exists for them.  

Besides, if you look at some of the health plans offered by Clinton, you would be almost forced to immunize your children at the government recommendations, you may be forced to get mercury laden flu vaccines etc.  You would not be in charge of your care, the government would.

Remember Rena meeting an opthamologist in the ER?  Well, doctors would have no incentive to stay in the health care system.  Salaries would be cut, no incentives for really good doctors, and they would leave and go into the business end of health care.

And what about the people on the forum in limbo?  In universal health care, you would not be allowed unlimited opinions from other specialists.  If you go to a bad neuro the first time, too bad.,  
And if you think that you wait a long time for an appt with specialists or tests now, think about  what would happen if all 300 million people in this country had access to the same number of diagnostic machines that now exist.  Your wait will be greatly extended.  It would be inevitable,

In my opinion, universal health care would just be another bureaucratic government nightmare eating up tax dollars.  Look at how inefficient Medicare is and all the fraud.  Why would universal  health care be any different?

Sorry, but government run health care proposals  get me really annoyed and frightened.  
Elaine

[Amyloo]

You are right Zilla, we need it but cannot go backward in the quality of care.  My big issue is RX coverage for our SENIORS!!!! They need their stinkin' meds, and some are choosing to either heat their home, buy food, or take their meds.  Ok, I'm done.  Amy

[debj52]

hi,you said it much better than i ever could...thanks...take care ...deb