Idiotic writers...

[Laz116]

Coming from a country with "socialized medicine" I don't really get what all the fuss is about.

Why are (some) americans so opposed to a health system that is affordable and fair for everyone?

Care to enlighten me on the arguments against?

[Sparrow]

Health services are like armed forces - everyone thinks there's is the best in the world.

We could probably all learn a lot from each other.

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by Laz116

Coming from a country with "socialized medicine" I don't really get what all the fuss is about.

Why are (some) americans so opposed to a health system that is affordable and fair for everyone?

Care to enlighten me on the arguments against?

For starters, I don't want my gov't to start a new health care program until after it fixes the ones it already runs (VA, Medicare, etc).

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by Laz116

Coming from a country with "socialized medicine" I don't really get what all the fuss is about.

Why are (some) americans so opposed to a health system that is affordable and fair for everyone?

Care to enlighten me on the arguments against?

I like that I have options with my healthcare, but really I could probably deal with that. My big issue is that we're already massively in debt, and a more important issue is what's going to happen with medicare in the next few years.

[Laz116]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

Health services are like armed forces - everyone thinks there's is the best in the world.

We could probably all learn a lot from each other.

Probably... one of the problems in Denmark, I think, is how to keep world class surgeons and important research. Obviously they can make so much more money elsewhere (and in a lot more accommodating environment), and probably government run health care does create some restrictions. At least I know of a few stellar surgeons who left the Danish health care system and went to the US because, they felt they couldn't explore their full potential in Denmark.

So I'm by no means denying the expertise of health care in the US. I just think it's for a select few. And I can't understand why a country like USA couldn't keep it's current system (although I think it's faulty) while at the same time securing better government run treatment of those who cannot afford insurance.

[Laz116]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

For starters, I don't want my gov't to start a new health care program until after it fixes the ones it already runs (VA, Medicare, etc).

Ok, but that really doesn't say anything to me. You have to explain it more thoroughly, I'm afraid. What's wrong with medicare fx?

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by Laz116

So I'm by no means denying the expertise of health care in the US. I just think it's for a select few. And I can't understand why a country like USA couldn't keep it's current system (although I think it's faulty) while at the same time securing better government run treatment of those who cannot afford insurance.

Because my gov't can't run programs very well.

And you're wrong about our system being for the select few. No one is denied care. if you go in to an emergency room you will be treated, even if that means surgery.

[Laz116]

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

I like that I have options with my healthcare, but really I could probably deal with that. My big issue is that we're already massively in debt, and a more important issue is what's going to happen with medicare in the next few years.

In Denmark you can always buy an insurance securing that you are operated almost immediately at a private hospital. However most make due with the government run health care, because after all it's quite good. Admittedly there are waiting lists for some types of ills. And some of these waiting lists are not acceptable (fx for cancer patients). But in general it works quite adequate. Not to forget, there are a lot of benefits of treating those without insurance. Good government run psychiatric care, does reduce crime and so forth.


Don't take it as a critique of how US run things. I'm just trying to understand the reasons by the reluctance towards government health care.

[Madam Broshkina]

Originally Posted by Laz116

Coming from a country with "socialized medicine" I don't really get what all the fuss is about.

Why are (some) americans so opposed to a health system that is affordable and fair for everyone?

Care to enlighten me on the arguments against?

Probably because we read stories like these:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...body-NICE.html

http://news.scotsman.com/health/Canc...he-.5095291.jp

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7959730.stm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/20...-wait-children

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

Because my gov't can't run programs very well.

And you're wrong about our system being for the select few. No one is denied care. if you go in to an emergency room you will be treated, even if that means surgery.

My son spent two weeks in a trauma center after an auto accident. While he was there he had a roommate who had fallen from a 3 story building and had to have extensive medical work. He was in this country illegally and had no health insurance. He received the same care as my son who was covered by his father's health insurance and two automobile insurances.

[Laz116]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

Because my gov't can't run programs very well.

And you're wrong about our system being for the select few. No one is denied care. if you go in to an emergency room you will be treated, even if that means surgery.

What I meant was that those experts who fled Denmark probably don't work at the local emergency room.

But why is it that a private corporation, who only has an obligation by law to uphold the interest of it's shareholders, are better to take care of people. Isn't the best way to make money to harvest the insurance fees and deny treatment when people are in need. In other words: are private corporations really set up in a way that would make them interested in actually spending money treating people.

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by Laz116

In Denmark you can always buy an insurance securing that you are operated almost immediately at a private hospital. However most make due with the government run health care, because after all it's quite good. Admittedly there are waiting lists for some types of ills. And some of these waiting lists are not acceptable (fx for cancer patients). But in general it works quite adequate. Not to forget, there are a lot of benefits of treating those without insurance. Good government run psychiatric care, does reduce crime and so forth.


Don't take it as a critique of how US run things. I'm just trying to understand the reasons by the reluctance towards government health care.

So, the wealthy in your country have access to better and more immediate healthcare than the general populace. That's one of the arguments of proponents Universal healthcare, so that the poor can have the same healthcare as the wealthy or well-off. That scenario just isn't going to happen. Those who can afford better healthcare will always get it.

[Laz116]

Originally Posted by Madam Broshkina

Probably because we read stories like these:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...body-NICE.html

http://news.scotsman.com/health/Canc...he-.5095291.jp

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7959730.stm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/20...-wait-children

But the average life expectancy rate is not higher in the US than it is in most developed countries with "socialised" medicine.

It's not like the US system is keeping people alive longer.

[Laz116]

Originally Posted by kazbates

So, the wealthy in your country have access to better and more immediate healthcare than the general populace. That's one of the arguments of proponents Universal healthcare, so that the poor can have the same healthcare as the wealthy or well-off. That scenario just isn't going to happen. Those who can afford better healthcare will always get it.

Yes. It'll probably always be like that. As I understand it, the debate in the US is more about raising the standards of health care for those who can't afford anything better. Am I wrong?

[kazbates]

To be honest, I don't know what the true motivation is, but I don't think it's as altruistic as a lot of the politicians are presenting it. The've also said it's need to help lower the costs of healthcare, which are admittedly high.