Author Topic: Healthcare in the US (Read 10753 times)

Jubal · « **on:** November 08, 2009, 10:05:50 AM »

So... the healthcare debate rages on. What should be done about the US healthcare system? Is Obama right, or should it be left alone - or reformed still further, NHS-style?

joek · « **Reply #1 on:** November 08, 2009, 11:20:38 AM »

US healthcare should definitely not be left alone, like the Republicans want. Sure, some kind of free healthcare might cost a bit more tax, but its something that, if I were in America, I'd be totally willing to pay. Considering that the main anti argument seems to be that the NHS lets people die (something so much worse than refusing to treat them, obviously) I don't think there is any strong valid objection to free healthcare.

DeepComet5581 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2009, 03:26:00 PM »

Here's a good objection to free healthcare.

With free healthcare, anyone can use it. This includes people who don't necessarily deserve it (Drunk people who've had fights, Drug addicts, criminals etc.), which means that people who do genuinely need medical care are forced to wait. This, essentially, means that time, money and drugs are wasted treating people who'll just be back in the same situation in a couple of days time.

Jubal · « **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2009, 03:51:14 PM »

But if they had the money they could use it anyway, pay-systems don't discriminate on grounds of worthiness any more than free systems. And a person who DID need it but DIDN'T have the money couldn't.

DeepComet5581 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2009, 06:32:03 PM »

Most of the people who are in hospital for something trivial would be able to afford it... once of twice. I like to think of it as alcohol or tobacco; because they costs so much, people generally try to avoid them to save money. A pay-as-you-use hospital would have the same principle, and would discourage people from doing anything stupid that might earn them a trip to hospital.

I didn't say that hospitals discriminate based on worthiness. I said that because so many people are admitted to hospital for trivial matters that are mostly their own fault (Especially at weekends), hospital staff can't concentrate on patients who genuinely need their attention. Also, people like this are generally drunk and abusive, which makes the job of the staff even harder.

Jubal · « **Reply #5 on:** November 08, 2009, 06:51:37 PM »

But then what do you do with the people who genuinely need help and can't afford it?

DeepComet5581 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 08, 2009, 07:23:55 PM »

Health Insurance, same as in the US.

Jubal · « **Reply #7 on:** November 08, 2009, 07:41:58 PM »

Health Insurance costs money... that's why 1/5 of Americans don't have it, they can't afford to pay

joek · « **Reply #8 on:** November 10, 2009, 09:07:35 PM »

Quote from: "Jubal"

Health Insurance costs money... that's why 1/5 of Americans don't have it, they can't afford to pay

stormcloud · « **Reply #9 on:** November 12, 2009, 01:16:48 AM »

Privatised healthcare is a bad idea at the core, instead of making people better hospitals/insurers have to worry about making money.

That means:
1) expensive patients are taken of cover for small reasons/given substandard treatment
2) anyone who has a family history will be given a massive price hike, through no fault of their own
3) patients are a product, the more treated in the shorter time the greater the profit

DeepComet5581 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 18, 2009, 08:26:19 PM »

At least hospitals in America have money. It's my understanding that the government actually owes billions of pounds to the NHS.

stormcloud · « **Reply #11 on:** November 24, 2009, 08:33:14 PM »

Quote from: "Boyninja616"

At least hospitals in America have money. It's my understanding that the government actually owes billions of pounds to the NHS.

the NHS isn't the way the proposed American healthcare system is to work, let alone the only example fo healthcare
(the NHS has an annual deposit of

Jubal · « **Reply #12 on:** November 24, 2009, 08:57:40 PM »

Nor is it, of course, true that a well managed NHS system needs to have huge over-spending. Government needs to get smarter...

comrade_general · « **Reply #13 on:** January 20, 2010, 10:59:29 PM »

Scott Brown won!

Son of the King · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2010, 02:35:23 PM »

What I don't understand is how people can be all for getting rid of manifestations of discrimination, and yet are in favour of a healthcare system that inadvertently discriminates against poor people.

News:

Author Topic: Healthcare in the US (Read 10753 times)

comrade_general