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Plus it's not like you socialize the health care and suddenly everything stays the same save for your health insurance bills go away, taxes will go up a considerable amount in order to pay for it (how much varies, but 10% total seems to be the median estimate). Also the US enjoys access to the best health care in the world, the most advanced techniques, drugs (Canada is 3 years behind in pharma), equipment, and shortest wait times (Canada has 28-32 week waits for neuro and spine surgery).
Neither is perfect, I think the best option would be a combo, but I prefer the US system to many others in the world. Neither will you see people using unlimited procedures to save everyone, how many homeless people in either location get $10k a dose chemo drugs? They don't even have it in Canada. I think the US fails for low to lower middle class Americans, but at least you have the option of the drugs if you can pay for it.
how could taxes go up if the US Government spends now more $$ in healthcare than other nations with UHC? It is not about how much money, but how it is spent.
how could taxes go up if the US Government spends now more $$ in healthcare than other nations with UHC? It is not about how much money, but how it is spent.
Exactly. We spend more money because for many of us with private insurance we get more services and benefits than we would with UHC. I'm not opposed to UHC as long as we can do it without raising taxes. There are a few ways of doing this, one would be to funnel everyone utilizing UHC into HMO style clinics and then charge a sliding scale copay.
I don't beelive that doctors should be forced to accept UHC patients, and that private insurance should still be offered for those who want to pay for it. The private insurance can offer additional services and benefits not covered by UHC.
You are obviously unhappy with your healthcare providers. The beauty of NOT having socialized medicine is that you can fire your current doctor and switch to a new one. I'd suggest that until you find one you are happy with.
Doesn't work when the new doctor is just as in bed with big pharma as the previous one was.
This doesn't happens, maybe it did 30 years ago, and very limited at most, but now is impossible. I never see a any money from any pharmaceutical and never have seen any doctor receiving money. If this were to be common practice it would be all over the news, since is impossible to pay thousand of doctor and keep it quiet and out of the books.
Top 5 Reasons Healthcare in America is Broken:
Top 5 reasons healthcare in America is broken | Tech News on ZDNet (http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-321175.html?tag=nl.e539 - broken link)
5. Doctors are rewarded for prescribing drugs. Big pharmaceutical companies are known to hand out “consulting agreements” worth more than your annual salary to doctors who prescribe their drugs like candy. And unlike contributions to political candidates, there is no way to track what doctors are considered “top-performers” and receiving the most lavish gifts. This is one of the worst practices I can think of that drives a stake right through the heart of healthcare’s credibility.
Top 5 Reasons Healthcare in America is Broken:
Top 5 reasons healthcare in America is broken | Tech News on ZDNet (http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-321175.html?tag=nl.e539 - broken link)
5. Doctors are rewarded for prescribing drugs. Big pharmaceutical companies are known to hand out “consulting agreements” worth more than your annual salary to doctors who prescribe their drugs like candy. And unlike contributions to political candidates, there is no way to track what doctors are considered “top-performers” and receiving the most lavish gifts. This is one of the worst practices I can think of that drives a stake right through the heart of healthcare’s credibility.
Sorry - this is no longer true. Pharma is posting online who their consultants are and how much they get for their work (yes, and it IS work - no free rides).
Sorry - this is no longer true. Pharma is posting online who their consultants are and how much they get for their work (yes, and it IS work - no free rides).
Yeah, where? Got any links? If I'm unfortunate enough to have to visit an MD and they're pushing some drug on me, I'd like to know if and how much they're getting paid for their 'work'.
Last edited by Ellise; 07-17-2009 at 02:23 PM..
Reason: clarity
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