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I have read how in Europe and many other countries - where health care is available for everyone, and that cost is willingly shared across the population -the belief is that health care is a right and not a privilege. They believe that making health care accessible to the entire population is the proper thing to do in their society.
Here in the US that feeling is not shared across the board, and some feel that it is a privilege which should be treated no differently from any other marketable item that one desires to have. For example... if you want a car it must be purchased individually and the same goes for the associated costs in maintaining it.
I don't know that anyone feels that health care is a privilege. In the US we just pay for it differently. It's not free anywhere. Taxes are extremely high in countries that offer "free" health care. Their taxes to cover their health care alone are more than most people in the US pay for ALL taxes paid...
I don't know that anyone feels that health care is a privilege. In the US we just pay for it differently. It's not free anywhere. Taxes are extremely high in countries that offer "free" health care. Their taxes to cover their health care alone are more than most people in the US pay for ALL taxes paid...
truth....we have had plenty of examples posted on this board and the concensus is that people with Universal health care pay about 15% in taxes to pay for that health care alone. Many countries are paying 50-75% of their gross income in taxes overall....those figured combined with our tax rates and average insurance costs are MUCH higher then what we pay overall.
I have a family member that lives/works in Spain, and she told me once that the costs of health care were covered under their Social Security. I looked this up and found this:
Percentage of gross paycheck
Reason for contribution Employer Employee Total
Standard 23,6% 4,7% 28,3%
Unemployment* 6,0% 1,6% 7,6%
Other** 2,0% 0,1% 2,1%
Total 31,6% 6,4% 38,0%
I believe that healthcare is a right and never will change my viewpoint on this. No one should have to die just because they can't afford proper insurance or healthcare. And the total taxes they pay in other countries are like 38 to 40 percent. I wouldn't mind paying that much if I knew that I would never become bankrupt over medical bills. This country cares too much about spending everyone's tax dollars on military.
I believe that healthcare is a right and never will change my viewpoint on this. No one should have to die just because they can't afford proper insurance or healthcare. And the total taxes they pay in other countries are like 38 to 40 percent. I wouldn't mind paying that much if I knew that I would never become bankrupt over medical bills. This country cares too much about spending everyone's tax dollars on military.
I'm not so sure I understand what the military has to do with healthcare? Also, we've seen throughout history, and even recently, that European countries are more than eager to go to war, either in the Middle East or with each other. France and Italy were the largest belligerents against Libya, particularly because of the precious oil contracts.
I have a family member that lives/works in Spain, and she told me once that the costs of health care were covered under their Social Security. I looked this up and found this:
Percentage of gross paycheck
Reason for contribution Employer Employee Total
Standard 23,6% 4,7% 28,3%
Unemployment* 6,0% 1,6% 7,6%
Other** 2,0% 0,1% 2,1%
Total 31,6% 6,4% 38,0%
38% going just toward "Social Security"....then taxes on top of that (on both sides)??
Isn't the profit motive one of the reasons why American healthcare quality far exceeds other countries?
When this question is posed to Single Payer supporters, nebulous statements are evoked such as "we're have the best healthcare quality because...well...America!", rather than thinking through the conclusion logically.
Isn't the profit motive one of the reasons why American healthcare quality far exceeds other countries?
When this question is posed to Single Payer supporters, nebulous statements are evoked such as "we're have the best healthcare quality because...well...America!", rather than thinking through the conclusion logically.
I don't know about that. In our state, health insurance companies have to be not-for-profit by law. We enjoy the lowest rates around, have access to excellent medical care throughout the state and had a very low incidence of people that truly did not have an insurance plan--and the vast majority of those chose not to have one. Pre ACA we had a very generous state pool plan with sliding scale premiums. Health insurance companies still made a boatload of money, and it is the USA, no reason they should not make money, but because of the not-for-profit status, policy holders were also reaping the benefits of this. MA is similar, low rates, top notch medical care, etc. I don't think there really is a need to go to a single payer system, which contrary to popular belief, does not really work and it's VERY expensive.
I also think why the US leads the world in medical research and innovation is simply because of our culture and the value we place on medical personnel. They command high salaries and attract the best of the best. It's very difficult to get into medical school and rightly so. Training here is much more extensive as well.
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