Comments on: Is British-Style Health Care The Answer?

Critics Of Public Health Care Point To Problems In Britain, Where Government Has Provided Health Care For Decades

[whatsup49]

ya know, we sorta kinda already have universal health care system in place for our military and military retirees. my dad is an air force retiree with 40 years of service, and he never, ever has had to wait for medical care through the military hospital where he lives. whenever he's in the hospital, all he pays is $6.95 per day, and that is for his meals. when he was critical and on a respirator and unable to eat, he wasn't charged. his meds for his heart, diabetes and other ailments, and their related equipment, such as a glucose monitor, strips, and insulin needles, are free. his wife, my stepmother, receives her care through tricor. she has a primary care doctor, plus specialists, and never pays more than $15 for a doctor visit, and most of her meds are filled at the base hospital, for very low copays. the meds that are filled at off-base pharmacies cost about $15 each. when she was critically ill a number of years ago, she was hospitalized off-base for nearly 4 months. the cost to my parents, $1,000 copay for the entire time she was hospitalized.

if this works well for our military and retirees, why can't a similar plan work for everyone else?

[ubrew12]

rhs648 said: "Americans will be paying for universal health insurance in ways they haven't even thought of yet."

Well thats convenience for you, it means you don't have to think of them. No, my $400 million figure was AFTER enrolling the 45 million uninsured. Healthcare in America costs TWICE what it does in these other countries with universal healthcare, because one out of every three healthcare dollars spent in America goes into administrative costs. The administrative figure in Canada is 1%. Why spend money figuring out who is covered, and for what, when everyone is covered? And thats the math for you, sparky.

[govtguy]

Isn't it a total shame and public embarassment nationally, that for all the "brains" we have elected to serve US; these arguments still exist? Would it not be smarter, practical, logical, efficient, etc, to merge the best of the programs or at least willingly and honestly sit and act, even on a temporary measure? Obviously the needs of the politicians and the drug and insurance companies come before the needs of the people. Please Mr President, lock these folks in a large room, with no food, water, or restroom, and see how fast they can come up with a viable plan; afterall its been over 50 plus years in the works!

[getg]

As an American citizen currently living in France I can tell you that it is possible to have a functioning medical system that covers all and has choice and quality treatment. We have it here but you don't hear much about it because it is France and the prejudice about anything French runs deep in America. However, similar to Canada, we pay a social tax which is dependent on income (fair) and get coverage that pays more for serious illness and less for elective or non-serious illness (moral and ethical). We have choice and no government person decides, it is your doctor and you. If everyone is in a similar system, then the need for emergency room care for a bad cold is non-existent. The system negotiates far lower prices for the same drugs we have in America but at a fraction of the cost. It is sad that the mis-information surrounding this topic is so great for so long that so many people believe the propaganda circulated by pharma companies, insurance companies, and fools on the right who have no idea what they are talking about.
Private insurance in America is the tax you are already paying and it runs into thousands a year to have. Then you fight with the insurance company you paid and hopefully you have never had an existing condition that might invalidate your coverage. If you are lucky enough to have this high priced flawed insurance, and then you get sick, you will lose it immediately after treatment. Then what???

[rhs648]

by ubrew12 June 28, 2009 7:11 PM PDT
Our support of universal healthcare extends especially to rural folks, many of whom are NOT republican.

"when Democrats in the blue states realize that they are paying higher taxes to subsidize health care for workers in... red states".
News flash sparky: universal healthcare will save $400 million a year in administrative costs over private insurance, meaning EVERYONE's premiums will drop. That's what happens when you buy in bulk, and don't let insurance executives slice you into bits and pieces, to pick off the weak for their personal profit.

----------------

Voodoo math. Insure another 47 million people and save $400 million dollars per year. Two can use the word "sparky." Sparky, you need lessons on economics. There is no way to insure everyone without large increases in both raxes and premiums and/or reducing benefits. Sparky-Americans will be paying for universal health insurance in ways they haven't even thought of yet. Unless you are poor, expect big increases in out of pocket costs. Those increased costs will shrink any savings that bulk purchasing provide. And, sparky, what happens if employer paid insurance benefits become taxable to help pay for universal health care. Just more taxes on working people.

[ubrew12]

rhs648 said: "Americans will be paying for universal health insurance in ways they haven't even thought of yet."

Well thats convenience for you, it means you don't have to think of them. No, my $400 million figure was AFTER enrolling the 45 million uninsured. Healthcare in America costs TWICE what it does in these other countries with universal healthcare, because one out of every three healthcare dollars spent in America goes into administrative costs. The administrative figure in Canada is 1%. Why spend money figuring out who is covered, and for what, when everyone is covered? And thats the math for you, sparky.

[ubrew12]

Our support of universal healthcare extends especially to rural folks, many of whom are NOT republican.

"when Democrats in the blue states realize that they are paying higher taxes to subsidize health care for workers in... red states".
News flash sparky: universal healthcare will save $400 million a year in administrative costs over private insurance, meaning EVERYONE's premiums will drop. That's what happens when you buy in bulk, and don't let insurance executives slice you into bits and pieces, to pick off the weak for their personal profit.

[eightsigma]

"There is a great chance that blue state voters will be voting Republican in the future."

No, we Democrats think everyone deserves decent healthcare without the threat of bankruptcy. Even Republicans. I don't mind paying more taxes to provide healthcare for ungrateful Republicans.

[erasmus111]

by mccain08nc June 28, 2009 6:30 PM PDT

Lets ask the question "would you still want this government plan if it means you pay higher taxes and get less coverage" since we all know this is what is going to happen to the 60% of Americans who pay taxes and have coverage right now.


In Canada, you pay your $50 a month, slightly higher taxes, everything is covered, good quality care, and everyone is covered. AND it's way cheaper than what you are paying.

Goes to show how much you're being ripped off, doesn't it?

[rhs648]

Universal health care could prove to be a big boon (blessing) to the Republican party. Alec Macgillis had a column in a recent Washington Post article. He pointed out that the red states, mostly in the west and south, have most of the uninsured people. There, wages are lower, unions are weaker, and fewer employers provide health insurance. Mr. Macgtillus points out that blue states (Democratic) will be taxed heavily to subsidize health care in the red (Republican)states. Think of the impact when Democrats in the blue states realize that they are paying higher taxes to subsidize health care for workers in the red (Republican) states. There is a great chance that blue state voters will be voting Republican in the future. Those in the red states already vote Republican. Wow! What an opening for the Republicans in future elections. Thank you President Obama.

[eightsigma]

"There is a great chance that blue state voters will be voting Republican in the future."

No, we Democrats think everyone deserves decent healthcare without the threat of bankruptcy. Even Republicans. I don't mind paying more taxes to provide healthcare for ungrateful Republicans.

[ubrew12]

Our support of universal healthcare extends especially to rural folks, many of whom are NOT republican.

"when Democrats in the blue states realize that they are paying higher taxes to subsidize health care for workers in... red states".
News flash sparky: universal healthcare will save $400 million a year in administrative costs over private insurance, meaning EVERYONE's premiums will drop. That's what happens when you buy in bulk, and don't let insurance executives slice you into bits and pieces, to pick off the weak for their personal profit.

[skyk-2009]

No one is suggesting doing the English Plan. The Article is about how the Confederate Party has been LYING to us again... claiming what the President is proposing IS the English Plan. Then they try to scare everyone by telling them how bad that plan is. I mean we should ALL know this by now, after all they've been doing this for 3 DECADES while our Health Care has become the WORST in the World.