User Comments

1. 

   6/11/09

   funispower

   I think that a lot of medical procedures seem quite expensive, like paying $90-$120 just to get a referral, but I also think that doctors go to school for 8-12 years and pay $100,000 of thousands of dollars a year in student loans, that's per individual, and they are the ones that pay it, out of their own pocket. These are the people that should be making the relevant medical decisions, not the government who pressures physicians into selecting treatments that are cheaper rather than those they find most effective. Look at what happened to the auto industry, i'm not blaming the government entirely here, but do you really want those people deciding if your surgery is approved or not?
   
   A mandatory government health care plan would not come without regulations and would impose economical restrictions on our health care system that in my opinion would reduce the quality of service. Russia is an excellent country in many respects, with some of the world's best doctors. The only problem is that those doctors are only available to the elite, and your chances of surviving a stroke are slim, because you are ill likely to receive treatment in time (personal experience here). This is because their government regulated health care system created a stratification of medical services that resulted in the average person receiving free but untimely and poor health care, while the elite receive timely, first class, but very expensive private care.

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   1. 

      6/11/09

      F4wrdthnkndad

      Funispower- While I don't agree with your perspective, it helps me to hear it. In the best of all situations, I only want my doctor and medical team to work with me to make the best healthcare decisions. And if the private insurance companies had worked more on a good faith basis when they were without regulation or competition, I would have been fine with that. The fact is the insurance companies make many relevant healthcare decisions and freely overide physicians already. So if I have to choose between status quo and government regulation and health insurance, I'll take it.
      
      While you focus on "mandatory" health coverage and class distinctions in Russia, I prefer to see it as options and leveling the healthcare playing field. It is my understanding that the President Obama is providing us with the government option as an additional choice. A choice that will keep private insurers on their toes and force them to consider costs and people they have historically rejected.
      
      As for Russia's care for the elite and the masses. We presently have this system in America. Those can afford the best care get it and millions of people are denied or can not receive any coverage. So a government program would ensure everyone has access to basic healthcare coverage, while allowing those who have top tier plans to continue to have that. And lastly, this is America, not Russia.
      
      I have faith that the people of this country would continue to expect better and better service from the government healthcare and healthcare in general. I just don't believe we would settle for a second or third tier level of healthcare.
2. 

   6/11/09

   Jaybetee

   Well, I don't know all the facts on the subject so I am not making a totally informed comment here, but I can say that over the past few years my family has had friends come visit form other countries like England (father's coworker) and France (old friend from an exchange program) and when asked if they liked the government healthcare programs they said they did.
   
   In my opinion, I think it would be a good idea. Insurance companies are a total scam and I'd love to do away with them. I'd rather pay the money in taxes each year and know I'll be covered rather than paying hundreds of dollars a month and still have to pay deductibles and out of pocket expenses that the insurance won;t cover.
   
   I'm pretty sure insurance companies are some of the most evil businesses on the planet and I would love to see the day when they all go out of business.

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   1. 

      6/11/09

      xmarks

      Have they ever experienced a different system?
      
      I pay taxes for roads. My roads all have cracks and potholes.
      
      I pay taxes for police protection. I can not walk through many sections of my town at night.
      
      I pay taxes for education. My middle school and high school have failing grades.
   2. 

      6/11/09

      F4wrdthnkndad

      Jaybee-great point. I pay a hefty premium in addition to co-pays etc. I'd also gladly pay that to the government in exchange for adequate options for healthcare. Can you imagine how differently one might approach career choices if you weren't simply working to have insurance?
3. 

   6/11/09

   F4wrdthnkndad

   Xmarks- It seems to me the concerns you raise have more to do with inequities in this country based on real estate values and property taxes. I would guess there are communities near you or with 50 miles of you where one can attend the best schools, roads are repaired, and people feel safe.
   
   There will no doubt be problems if we have a government healthcare system for everyone. Medicare and Medicaid are not perfect, but they are lifeline for many people who have struggled to get care prior that point in life.
   
   Lastly, if we as a nation were number 1 in the world when it came to healthcare, why would anyone be concerned. But with all the freedom given to the doctors, insurance, pharmaceuticals and we're not the best. That's wrong-millions of people shouldn't be suffering without access to healthcare in America. That is simply shameful.

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   1. 

      6/12/09

      xmarks

      I agree the system is broken. I think it is broken by too many politicians being owned by medical companies.
      
      My point is that the government doesn't do very many things well or efficiently.