Quote:
Originally Posted by Moejoe
We may be stretching it a little with tattoo removal, but the logic you're using would have us cherry-pick treatment because of how the patient acted, or bad decisions they might have made in their life. What about disturbed youngsters who self-harm, do they get no treatment because they knew it was harmful? How about smokers? People who eat too much? Drug-addicts?
Our system might not be perfect, but I can sleep safe tonight knowing I and my family can get treatment without having to worry that we'll go bankrupt in the aftermath. It's just not civilised to charge for medical care in the year 2009. To me, the American system is downright barbarous.
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You make a very good point. What you are saying is it's very easy to single out one treatment and label it as something the state should not provide, but right next to it is another treatment that is less clear.... In other words where should the line be drawn?
I do not like the idea of fat people (I am a little overweight sadly) being banned from eating cheese. I'm also a smoker, but I elect to pay the UK price for cigarettes rather than import them from the continent because I strongly believe that in paying my fair share of taxes, and since it's fairly likely I'll be a burden on the state due to smoking related illnesses then it's reasonable for me to pay for that in the way of taxes.
Self harm I think can be taken out of the list, since that's the result of a mental disorder, very far removed from tattoos.
Perhaps though I should pay a little more tax because I'm a little overweight. I couldn't really disagree with that. Although I'd want to pay less tax on cigarettes, because I know I'm paying more than I cost the NHS.
I'd argue against a tax on tattoos to cover NHS removal costs, because not everybody who gets a tattoo will want it removed, and why should they have to pay for people who make stupid mistakes?
I must say I'm very much enjoying this thread. For once a discussion on t'internet without people trying to score points, or look good.
