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I think that the argument that people don't want to pay to support other's health care is really pointless. We are already doing this people! If you not in Medicaid and don't have insurance, you go to the Emergency Room for treatment. This happens all the time. Go to a city ER and take a look at the people waiting. Many of them are suffering from basic illness that could be treated at a clinic at a MUCH cheaper price and without the disastrous impact on our ER rooms (who are really there for emergencies).
Instead, our current system we pay for health care of the uninsured through ER rooms. This is probably part of the reason we spend more than any other country in the world on health care and we still have millions and millions uninsured.
16% of the residents, including illegal immigrants, in the US, do not have insurance.
An estimated 25% of this group have voluntarily choosen not to get / buy health insurance - even though they can well afford it.
16% is a lot. And many people who are insured have crappy coverage. When I was in college I had insurance from the school but it didn't cover even basic doctor visits.
And I would like to see numbers on this 25% that voluntarily choose no coverage. Even if that number is true, this is clearly irresponsible given the fact that if one gets sick with a protracted disease (even when you are young) the cost of eventually getting coverage is astronomical, if you can get it at all. These are the people we end up supporting either through ER visits or through Medicaid.
And I would like to see numbers on this 25% that voluntarily choose no coverage. Even if that number is true, this is clearly irresponsible
While I might agree that it is "irresponsible" - so what? That is not my problem. If one wants to be "irresponsible" they have to accept the consequences of their actions.
While I might agree that it is "irresponsible" - so what? That is not my problem. If one wants to be "irresponsible" they have to accept the consequences of their actions.
It's irresponsible because we all end up paying for it either through ER visits or through Medicaid! Can't you see this?
It's irresponsible because we all end up paying for it either through ER visits or through Medicaid! Can't you see this?
Like I said, I may agree it is irresponsible but, I'm not going to be responsible for everyone who is "irresponsible" - it is not my problem
Also, if someone does not WANT health insurance, and they want to pay cash for their healthcare (I know a few people like this), why should "I" / "We" force them into something they really do not want?
Like I said, I may agree it is irresponsible but, I'm not going to be responsible for everyone who is "irresponsible" - it is not my problem
Also, if someone does not WANT health insurance, and they want to pay cash for their healthcare (I know a few people like this), why should "I" / "We" force them into something they really do not want?
See, you are responsible for them regardless of whether you think you are or not. Your taxes are paying for Medicaid and ER visits for people without insurance.
The thing is that if we had a decent system where people could visit the doctor prior to a disease becoming very serious, it would be cheaper to nip the problem in the bud early. But our current system, people don't have simple coverage that would cover doctor visits. Therefore, we pay to treat these people when the disease is serious and therefore MUCH more expensive for society (meaning you and me).
See, you are responsible for them regardless of whether you think you are or not. Your taxes are paying for Medicaid and ER visits for people without insurance.
Once again, I will ask, what about the person, with no insurance, who does not want insurance, who can, and does, pay for their healthcare in cash - out of their pocket. Why should they be forced to take something they do not want?
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