I believe that healthcare should be a right for anyone. As we have seen in the text, health care coverage is even a problem for Americans who make $75,000 per year, so I can only imagine how difficult it is for people who make less money. My husband is a Type I diabetic and has had the disease for over 20 years. There will come a time when his health care costs will be extremely high. If we didn't have really good insurance, it would financially break us. I can't imagine how people make it who have chronic diseases and no insurance. I kind of think the Universal Healthcare system is not such a bad idea, but in talking to my neighbor, she brought up several good points for both sides of the spectrum:
1) People that need services such as MRI's may have to wait for a couple of months, or come to the states and pay out of pocket.
2) Canadians have immunizations clinics, where they keep up with the immunizations for you. You don't have to pay for yearly check ups.
3) They have a fantastic cancer clinic that doesn't pose a problem or wait period.
4) The wait at the hospital for emergency room visits are about the same.
5) There are no insurance companies in Canada. She really likes this. You go to the doctor, hand them your card and get services. She feels like insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies are just money making schemes in the States. She says in Canada, she never saw a commercial for an insurance company or a new product coming out.
6) Once you reach the age of 18, if you are not employed, you are responsible for paying partially for your healthcare.
7) She says she already prolongs going to the doctor while living in the states because of co-pays.
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4 comments:
Jenn- You made some excellent points when it comes to Health Care—A Right or Privilege. I am on the fence for those very reasons. I think that it would be great in that everyone will have access to health care and medications but I am not really prepared to pay more for premiums. I also do not look forward to waiting even longer at the doctor’s office.
At the same time I get up every morning and drag my tail to work so that I can provide and care for my family. I understand that some people are not able to do the same so we should have options for them. I just get put out with some people that try to live off the government because they can or they are lazy.
Another thing that I have heard about is with all the drug problems in the world, there are some people that go to different ERs just to get prescription drugs. This is another reason why ERs are packed. Stuff like this really angers me.
So here I am still on the fence because I can see positives and negatives about both options. I will continue to read more blogs to see if I can be swayed more in one direction but I really enjoyed you thoughts and ideas.
I agree with you in many ways. I think that out of being compassionate towards our neighbors, we want everyone to have appropriate healthcare. I wish that capitalism did not so frequently have greed as a driving force behind it, and in the end create such a monstrosity that people avoid the appropriate healthcare. However, so many good things have come about it. There is so much competition (for whatever the motivation) to discover new and better drugs/techniques/technology. Also, insurance has somewhat created a standardized basis of care that can be individualized accordingly.
Lisa made an interesting point that I was dealing with earlier this week. I was driving from work to go pick up my daughter and I saw a person on the side of the road begging. I have a difficult time giving money to people begging on the road. What if they are not good stewards of the sacrifice I make? Why don't they get a job like everyone else? Maybe they were fired or forced to quit. Then they can go on unemployment while they search for a job. What if they are unemployable (like people with chronic mental illnesses--schizophrenia/uncontrolled bipolar)? Then they can go on disability. I know that there is a percentage of people who are unable to provide for themselves, but there is also a percentage that is trying to make a quick dollar/be lazy/etc. It made me realize my own judgemental ways, that I do not know their history therefore I cannot make the appropriate judgement. That is something that I struggle with daily....
Jenn- I was reading up on some information about Canada's healthcare program. Everyone can apply for a health care that can provide them with free healthcare. I think that this is a great idea to help those in need. Some bad things about it are that they have longer waiting periods for doctors and it is harder to find places that have openings for MRI's and CT scans. That can be problem if you need fast results to cure or treat your illness or disease. I do feel a little different than you though. I think that people should somewhat contribute to society in order to receive absolute free health care. Contributing would be working, going to school, etc. Good post!
I agree with you because healthcare is constantly rising. I believe that there should be one type of healthcare insurance for everyone regardless of their education, age, occupation or status. My mother is from France and when she lived over there; her healthcare was free including dental. I think the government needs to do something because if the government only favors the wealthy then no one will be able to afford healthcare. I am a previous cancer patient and I know what it feels like to have insurance premiums tripled in one year. I am an out of state student also.
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