Free Health care

[Foxtrot]

Free healthcare is a terrible idea, I shouldn't have to fix the broken arm of the dumbass skater punk down the street because he was smoking pot and ran into a car, honestly he could die and I wouldn't care. Basic things should be provided for the people who need it most, but nothing more, and if they exceed a limit they are cut off (within reason).

 

[The Mullinator]

Free healthcare is a terrible idea, I shouldn't have to fix the broken arm of the dumbass skater punk down the street because he was smoking pot and ran into a car, honestly he could die and I wouldn't care. Basic things should be provided for the people who need it most, but nothing more, and if they exceed a limit they are cut off (within reason).

Ya but then you should consider that it would be evened out by you paying for the single mother who can't afford to pay for what her kids may required. It would be like charity. Then also consider that when you break your arm then it will be the parents of that skater kid who will be paying for your hospital bill.

 

[Foxtrot]

Ya but then you should consider that it would be evened out by you paying for the single mother who can't afford to pay for what her kids may required. It would be like charity. Then also consider that when you break your arm then it will be the parents of that skater kid who will be paying for your hospital bill.

I have never once broken anything in my body, or been injured in any way. The reason is is because I don't **** around, and I have common sense. I also don't play sports, but I don't think I should be paying for some jock to hurt himself over and over (it seems like 95% of injuries at my school are sports related). People get injured because they put themselves at risk, I am sure there are a few exceptions, work related or inflicted but those you don't have to pay for.

 

[The Mullinator]

I have never once broken anything in my body, or been injured in any way. The reason is is because I don't **** around, and I have common sense. I also don't play sports, but I don't think I should be paying for some jock to hurt himself over and over (it seems like 95% of injuries at my school are sports related). People get injured because they put themselves at risk, I am sure there are a few exceptions, work related or inflicted but those you don't have to pay for.

So you don't play sports? Alright, I will also assume you don't work out since you actually risk a lot of injury working out at a gym. In that case you are likely going to have other health problems when you get older, more than the people who play sports now are going to get.

 

[OCybrManO]

I don't pay anything for my insurance, my employer does.

That's not entirely true. If your employer pays something for you it still comes out of your potential earnings (if the employer didn't have to pay that money for insurance they could have higher salaries)... so, either way, you're paying for your insurance. Do you think they only negotiate the salary and then tack on a bunch of free stuff like paid vacation time and health insurance? No, all of those "benefits" come out of the money you would get without them... and it usually costs them less than the amount they cut the salary.

You call your providor and work out a payment plan.

Not everyone has a "providor." Some people can't afford insurance. That's what this system is meant to help with. Other than affording healthcare to people that barely earn enough to live as is... there's not really a benefit of universal healthcare. It's a tradeoff. People that can will pay a little bit more so that people who can't pay still get treatment/medication. As soon as they can afford it (if ever) they start paying for it. If you can find a way for everyone to have jobs that net them enough cash to support their families and pay for insurance... be my guest. Until then, I think we shouldn't punish the poor people that are honestly in trouble because of some bad apples that may try to exploit the system.

Words I spelled incorrectly: 1
Typos made: 1

Actually, I counted 6 errors in one pass... but who is counting? Wait. I just counted, didn't I? :O I kid. :E

 

[seinfeldrules]

If I trusted the Government with my money then I'd choose A. However, I dont so I guess the only option for me is C.

 

[MjM]

The poll aint slanted in my opinion but it misses alot of aspects.

In New Zealand, we are taxed either 19/33/39 (depending on how much you're earning) cents in the dollar. We also pay 12.5% on all goods and services purchased (Goods and Services Tax, GST)

Primary health care is not free, except for the elderly and young(preschool). Vaccinations are free however and offered through schools.
Primary health care is your local doctor or general practitioner. While you are enrolled in a school you also recieve free dental treatment, so from 5 - 18yrs.

If you require hospitalisation or surgery then that is free. There is also the state provided ACC, which will cover lost earnings and costs(even on a long term basis(lifetime)) of an accident, ranging from a sprained ankle to serious injury. A typical examples, i would guess, would be back related issues for labourers, RSI, those sorts of things. Ive recieved ACC for breaking bones(finger ), just to cover the cost of Xray and to see the doctor.

You can also be subsidised if you have a commnity services card(for students/low income earners) or are affiliated to a particular practitioner, as GP's recieve government funding based on people affiliated with that particular GP.

Many prescription medications are also subsidised, so generally you only pay a few dollars for a prescription. Off the counter medications are not subsidised.

As well there are private hospitals and private health insurers. The benifits are that you can get treatment faster for the likes of hip replacements, non life threatning things typical old age ailments. Generally minor operations are more pleasent in private hospitals in terms of surroundings/food. For example my grandparents have had there eyes done privately, so now they dont have to wear glasses(they have better vision than me )

State provided services unless well funded/capitalised can get bogged down, under waiting lists. For example; some cancer treatments have such long waiting lists that patients are allowed to recieve treatment in Australian hospitals at the expense of the taxpayer. Hip replacements were also an issue a few years ago, with some people waiting many months.

On the whole i think state funding/subsidies and provision of services is good, it works in NZ at least to a fairly high standard. At the bear minimum i think hospitalisation should absolutely be free.

 

[el Chi]

The poll is slanted to a left wing bias.

As opposed to the many threads slanted to a right-wing bias. It never ceases to amaze me how you cry shennanigans of bias or corruption or lies on the left whilst seeming to act as if the right are the sole bastions of honesty decency and righteousness. They're not.

Besides, if you don't like those options, simply don't vote, just make your opinions well-heard. Who honestly gives a sh*t about a poll on a forum primarily concerning a computer game?


Onto free health-care.
The NHS is the most fabulous thing and I despise the media for unfailingly portraying it as this flailing public institution that - if you believe everything some newspapers imply - seems to actively want to make patients suffer.
Sure it has its problems, but then an institution of that size and that complexity will do. It could do with some streamlining, but that does NOT mean it's a failure.
The media never focusses on the countless positive things it does which enrages me beyond measure. People whine and whine about it, but if it was disbanded, people would still whine AND be the poorer for it.
I'm epileptic and am on a five-year course of medication. All told, that would cost at least £6,484.70 - that's a lot of money. I have friends who're diabetic and they get their insulin for free. I'm not sure how much that costs, but I imagine it's a fair whack. These things are remedies to conditions that are extremely hazardous to a person's well-being that are being provided by the state, for free to the populous. We pay taxes for the government to help protect and care for us (emergency services, military, education, benefits money to upkeep councils, NHS, etc.) and I despise people who completely overlok the tremendous good it does.

Like the Tories.
"I mean, how hard can it be to keep a hospital clean?"
Howard deserves to be publicly hung, drawn and quartered for that disgusting statement alone. Or at the very least consigned to a life-time of servitude as an NHS janitor and then he can see how hard it is and how good the NHS is and how hard they work.
C*nt.

Free healthcare is a terrible idea, I shouldn't have to fix the broken arm of the dumbass skater punk down the street because he was smoking pot and ran into a car, honestly he could die and I wouldn't care

Your lack of compassion for fellow human beings makes my blood run cold. Sure, your example was stupid, but so's your response. It's selfish, it's arrogant and conjurs up many many more feelings of revulsion and contempt in me.

 

[Foxtrot]

So you don't play sports? Alright, I will also assume you don't work out since you actually risk a lot of injury working out at a gym. In that case you are likely going to have other health problems when you get older, more than the people who play sports now are going to get.

I do work out actually, 5'9 150 pounds.

 

[Foxtrot]

Your lack of compassion for fellow human beings makes my blood run cold. Sure, your example was stupid, but so's your response. It's selfish, it's arrogant and conjurs up many many more feelings of revulsion and contempt in me.

Why should I have to pay money because people are dumb? I don't tolerate dumb people, unofortunate people I can tolerate they could get some healthcare if they don't go out of their way to put themselves at risk.

 

[el Chi]

Why should I have to pay money because people are dumb? I don't tolerate dumb people, unofortunate people I can tolerate they could get some healthcare if they don't go out of their way to put themselves at risk.

I'm struggling not to launch into an incredibly angry tirade here, but it won't get my point across - not that I expect anything I say to be anything more than water off a duck's back.

You make it sound as if they're beggars. You make it sound as if someone who foolishly got an injury is actively coming to your house and forcibly taking as much of your money as their operation will cost. This is not the case.

Let's say you see a kid playing in the street, being fairly careless. They get hit by a car and the car drives off. Now, seeing as you're the only one there, do you ignore the child because it shouldn't have been playing in the street in the firstplace? Or do you make a phone call from a call box and spend a tiny fraction of your income helping to save someone's life? For every "dumb" injury the NHS deals with, it deals with life-saving operations on, say, cancer; it helps delivers babies and numerous other medical practices not caused by "dumb" people.

And it's not as if the system is basically raping you of any medical rights. If you need an operation or if you need to see your GP or if you need certain medication, you don't pay anything except the taxes you've paid.
You pay taxes anyway - what if a proportion of the grossly over-sized military budget went to helping people in hospitals and it didn't infringe on your taxes too much? Would you be ok with it then? Or are you ok with your tax dollars hard at word kicking seven shades of sh*t out of people thousands of miles away rather than helping your fellow Americans?
But let's not drag this into a military debate.
If you don't believe we each have a duty to our fellow human beings then fair enough. I find it incredibly cold-blooded of you, though.

F*ck it, I'm stopping here because your selfishness is really pissing me off.

 

[DEATH eVADER]

every man for himself?

Funny, I thought the American motto is, "No one should be left behind".....oh wait, thats the US Army

 

[Bodacious]

That's not entirely true. If your employer pays something for you it still comes out of your potential earnings (if the employer didn't have to pay that money for insurance they could have higher salaries)... so, either way, you're paying for your insurance. Do you think they only negotiate the salary and then tack on a bunch of free stuff like paid vacation time and health insurance? No, all of those "benefits" come out of the money you would get without them... and it usually costs them less than the amount they cut the salary.

I see where you are coming from and that is the case I am sure but the difference is, I have never seen that extra money nor have I had the opportunity to.. It is not like I was getting paid $20/hour one day and then the next day I decided I wanted healthcare and my pay was now $15/hour. From my point of view I have always been paid $15/hour and the money my employer pays for health insurance was never mine to miss not getting paid.

Not everyone has a "providor." Some people can't afford insurance. That's what this system is meant to help with. Other than affording healthcare to people that barely earn enough to live as is... there's not really a benefit of universal healthcare. It's a tradeoff. People that can will pay a little bit more so that people who can't pay still get treatment/medication. As soon as they can afford it (if ever) they start paying for it. If you can find a way for everyone to have jobs that net them enough cash to support their families and pay for insurance... be my guest. Until then, I think we shouldn't punish the poor people that are honestly in trouble because of some bad apples that may try to exploit the system.

Hence why I said in myfirst post, "...welfare for the needy..." or something along the lines of that.

 

[CptStern]

how many of you could have afforded a $300,000 medical bill? my son was born 3 months pre-mature ..if I had no healthcare insurance I'd have to pay the hospital $300,000 for his 2 month stay ...44 million americans are in that same position.

 

[Bodacious]

As opposed to the many threads slanted to a right-wing bias. It never ceases to amaze me how you cry shennanigans of bias or corruption or lies on the left whilst seeming to act as if the right are the sole bastions of honesty decency and righteousness. They're not.

I love all of your baseless accusations. I would like for you to show me where I have siad the right are, "the sole bastions of honesty decency and righteousness." Good luck.

Besides, if you don't like those options, simply don't vote, just make your opinions well-heard. Who honestly gives a sh*t about a poll on a forum primarily concerning a computer game?

Read my first post in this thread where I point out a better fourth option.

 

[The Monkey]

Your lack of compassion for fellow human beings makes my blood run cold. Sure, your example was stupid, but so's your response. It's selfish, it's arrogant and conjurs up many many more feelings of revulsion and contempt in me.

Completely agree, I can't believe that some people actually things like he does. Let's have another example: A lower class family; they are out driving when the car crash and the girl is almost killed. Her bones and internal organs are all damaged. If she get treatment right away she might make it. But oh, I just remember, her family is poor. Oh well, who cares if a poor girl dies, they're just in the way anyway, right?

 

[firemachine69]

Wow...

Sure, we have long wait lines. Sure our canuck system has problems.

But it's needed.

Help your fellow man (or woman ) out.



There's a few specific situations where I don't fully agree with paid healthcare (aka smoking, you imposed that on yourself), but for the better part, it shouldn't even be a question.

 

[Bodacious]

how many of you could have afforded a $300,000 medical bill? my son was born 3 months pre-mature ..if I had no healthcare insurance I'd have to pay the hospital $300,000 for his 2 month stay ...44 million americans are in that same position.

And 256 Million are not in the same position.

Healthcare isn't as simple as you would make it seem to be. For one, what was your net yearly income when he was born? Assuming someone had no insurance suggests they are poor enough to qualify for state or federal assistance. For example, my then girlfried was in the hospital for 3 days and racked up 13k in bills and she qualified for state assistance and her bill was paid 100%. Even then there is chapter 7 or 11 bankruptcy.

 

[Bodacious]

Completely agree, I can't believe that some people actually things like he does. Let's have another example: A lower class family; they are out driving when the car crash and the girl is almost killed. Her bones and internal organs are all damaged. If she get treatment right away she might make it. But oh, I just remember, her family is poor. Oh well, who cares if a poor girl dies, they're just in the way anyway, right?

People here in America can't be denied treatment in a situation like this. Her life would be saved.

 

[CptStern]

And 256 Million are not in the same position.

Healthcare isn't as simple as you would make it seem to be. For one, what was your net yearly income when he was born? Assuming someone had no insurance suggests they are poor enough to qualify for state or federal assistance. For example, my then girlfried was in the hospital for 3 days and racked up 13k in bills and she qualified for state assistance and her bill was paid 100%. Even then there is chapter 7 or 11 bankruptcy.

only 39 million are below the poverty line ..and 44 million are without healthcare. Therefore every single one of those poor are without healthcare ...and then some ...another 30 million under-insured


again what happens if I dont qualitfy for state assistance? both my wife and I were working for ourselves at the time ..we wouldnt have qualified for assistance. $300,000 is a lot of money to be paying for what should be a right as a citizen.

 

[firemachine69]

I have to fully agree with Capt. on this one.

I work part time while attending college, I sustain myself. I still donate to health care, and honestly, I'm in full accordance with it. Again, helping your fellow human out. Lend a hand, you'll need one lent yourself sooner or later.

 

[The Monkey]

People here in America can't be denied treatment in a situation like this. Her life would be saved.

But the family have to pay for the treatment afterwards, right?

 

[Bodacious]

only 39 million are below the poverty line ..and 44 million are without healthcare. Therefore every single one of those poor are without healthcare ...and then some ...another 30 million under-insured

You are advocating that the wishes of 44 million people should supercede the wishes of 256 million people, just because you think free healthcare is a "right as a citizen?"

again what happens if I dont qualitfy for state assistance? both my wife and I were working for ourselves at the time ..we wouldnt have qualified for assistance. $300,000 is a lot of money to be paying for what should be a right as a citizen.

Doesn't matter if your self employed or you work for Joe Corp, what matters is your household income.

Don't qualify, well, if you are as poor as those 44 million chances are you would, but if by some chance you didn't then most likely you aren't poor. Even then there is the Red cross, local curches, a 2nd job, or bankruptcy. For one, I am fairly certain a hospital isn't going to charge interest. For two, the hospital would work with you. You tell them your monthly obligation (house payment or rent, car payment, etc) or how much a month you can afford to pay and they would set it up to where you wouldn't be broken. Yah, your lifestyle would suffer and you might have to get rid of the calbe tv, but how much is your son being healthy worth?

 

[Bodacious]

But the family have to pay for the treatment afterwards, right?

Depends on their household income. If they are truly considered poor the state or the federal government would pay their bills.

 

[KoreBolteR]

the only people i dont want to help are the people who dont want to get a job that have plenty of oppurtunities to, or ones that want to be lazy, and let others do the work and pay thier healthcare for them.

but on the otherhand, i like the idea that working people should help thier fellow hardworking countrymen.

 

[The Monkey]

Depends on their household income. If they are truly considered poor the state or the federal government would pay their bills.

But what about you're just above that limit? Your whole life ruined... Let's face it, people with more money gets better treatment than people with less. That's sick. Everyone have the right to high quality medical care, no matter how their economy looks like. Don't you agree with that?

 

[CptStern]

You are advocating that the wishes of 44 million people should supercede the wishes of 256 million people, just because you think free healthcare is a "right as a citizen?"

how would the rest of the people be affected?

Doesn't matter if your self employed or you work for Joe Corp, what matters is your household income.

yes but if my wife had been ordered on bed rest for the last 6 months of her pregnancy (as she's probably going to have to do this time around) our income would be greatly deminished (at least on paper). Not to mention the fact that most people dont expect an extended hospital stay for something so routine as the birth of a child

Don't qualify, well, if you are as poor as those 44 million chances are you would, but if by some chance you didn't then most likely you aren't poor. Even then there is the Red cross, local curches, a 2nd job, or bankruptcy.

please try to stay in the realm of reality ...no second job will help pay for a $300,000 medical bill ...do you support yourself? if you do then you'd realise between mortgage, expense of living there's hardly room for another $300,000 mortgage like payment ...if I was renting there's no way a bank would lend me the money I need to buy a house with a $300,000 debt to my name

For one, I am fairly certain a hospital isn't going to charge interest. For two, the hospital would work with you. You tell them your monthly obligation (house payment or rent, car payment, etc) or how much a month you can afford to pay and they would set it up to where you wouldn't be broken.

unless you're making a combined total of > $150,000 you're not going to be able to afford $600,000 ($300 k for house, 300 k for hospital bills)

Yah, your lifestyle would suffer and you might have to get rid of the calbe tv, but how much is your son being healthy worth?

:upstare: I might have to give up cable tv? I think I'd have to give up much more than that ...how about never being able to buy a home? how about never being able to get a loan? how about never getting my head above the water because the monthly payments prevent me from ever saving enough money for a down payment? maybe it's dirt cheap where you live but you cant buy a single story house where I live for under $300 k

 

[Foxtrot]

I'm struggling not to launch into an incredibly angry tirade here, but it won't get my point across - not that I expect anything I say to be anything more than water off a duck's back.

You make it sound as if they're beggars. You make it sound as if someone who foolishly got an injury is actively coming to your house and forcibly taking as much of your money as their operation will cost. This is not the case.

Let's say you see a kid playing in the street, being fairly careless. They get hit by a car and the car drives off. Now, seeing as you're the only one there, do you ignore the child because it shouldn't have been playing in the street in the firstplace? Or do you make a phone call from a call box and spend a tiny fraction of your income helping to save someone's life? For every "dumb" injury the NHS deals with, it deals with life-saving operations on, say, cancer; it helps delivers babies and numerous other medical practices not caused by "dumb" people.

And it's not as if the system is basically raping you of any medical rights. If you need an operation or if you need to see your GP or if you need certain medication, you don't pay anything except the taxes you've paid.
You pay taxes anyway - what if a proportion of the grossly over-sized military budget went to helping people in hospitals and it didn't infringe on your taxes too much? Would you be ok with it then? Or are you ok with your tax dollars hard at word kicking seven shades of sh*t out of people thousands of miles away rather than helping your fellow Americans?
But let's not drag this into a military debate.
If you don't believe we each have a duty to our fellow human beings then fair enough. I find it incredibly cold-blooded of you, though.

F*ck it, I'm stopping here because your selfishness is really pissing me off.

You think I am selfish because I don't want to pay for peopls dumb mistakes? All I said was I don't want to pay for peoples dumb mistakes. You are the one being selfish, **** the world, lets give free medical care.

 

[Bodacious]

But what about you're just above that limit? Your whole life ruined...

Umm, no its not. Mayby in your pessimistic world it is but not in mine. I would work with the collector, make a payment plan, lose my cell phone, internet, and cable, and get to work paying off my debts.

Let's face it, people with more money gets better treatment than people with less. That's sick. Everyone have the right to high quality medical care, no matter how their economy looks like. Don't you agree with that?

No, I don't agree. I work hard for what I have and I shouldn't have to pay for someone who has had the same opportunities I do. However, I do agree that the people that need welfare, including healthcare, should get it, that is why the state pays a lot of medical bills.

 

[CptStern]

You think I am selfish because I don't want to pay for peopls dumb mistakes? All I said was I don't want to pay for peoples dumb mistakes. You are the one being selfish, **** the world, lets give free medical care.

:upstare: do you think you'll be healthy all your life? funny enough most people dont really need medical attention till they're a senior ..which is also coincidentily the period in your life where you have the least income

 

[el Chi]

the only people i dont want to help are the people who dont want to get a job that have plenty of oppurtunities to, or ones that want to be lazy, and let others do the work and pay thier healthcare for them.

I think it's far more of a media-driven myth than a reality that there are legions of moochers sucking the state dry. Benefits aren't that great that that many people can decide that's the only way they want to get money.

Umm, no its not. Mayby in your pessimistic world it is but not in mine. I would work with the collector, make a payment plan, lose my cell phone, internet, and cable, and get to work paying off my debts.

PErsonally I'd rather pay some taxes and not have to give those things up when I get ill. But then that's just me.

You think I am selfish because I don't want to pay for peopls dumb mistakes? All I said was I don't want to pay for peoples dumb mistakes. You are the one being selfish, **** the world, lets give free medical care.

I'm sorry but I stand by my view that you're selfish.
You don't give appear to give a flying f*ck if someone is severly ill or hurt. As long as you're ok, that's what counts.
What about that example I gave with the child? Would you risk the money of that phone call? Because that's all it would cost you, whilst the rest of your tax money would go towards worthy cases.
Your opposition to free healthcare is rooted that you don't want to help others on the off-chance that their injury might be through their own silliness. I'm sorry, but that's selfish.

And how does me wanting other people to be healthy make me selfish? You really lost me on that point.

 

[Bodacious]

how would the rest of the people be affected?

They would have to be forced to pay more taxes to cover everyone else. And not just some piddly amount, a lot more in taxes

yes but if my wife had been ordered on bed rest for the last 6 months of her pregnancy (as she's probably going to have to do this time around) our income would be greatly deminished (at least on paper). Not to mention the fact that most people dont expect an extended hospital stay for something so routine as the birth of a child

Ahh, so you would lose half your household income if she was orded to bed, no? You might qualify afterall.

please try to stay in the realm of reality ...no second job will help pay for a $300,000 medical bill ...do you support yourself? if you do then you'd realise between mortgage, expense of living there's hardly room for another $300,000 mortgage like payment ...if I was renting there's no way a bank would lend me the money I need to buy a house with a $300,000 debt to my name

1. No interest is charged on your medical debts.
2. Get your cable turned off, make the cuts necessary to find the extra chash needed to make your monthly payments.
3. The hospital would work with you. They aren't going to make you pay $1000/month. You would pay what you coudl afford.
4. Adjust your expense of livng and get rid of your mortgage
5. Don't buy a house.

unless you're making a combined total of > $150,000 you're not going to be able to afford $600,000 ($300 k for house, 300 k for hospital bills)

Don't buy a 300k house. Settle for a 2 bedroom apartment or a way cheaper house.

:upstare: I might have to give up cable tv? I think I'd have to give up much more than that ...how about never being able to buy a home? how about never being able to get a loan? how about never getting my head above the water because the monthly payments prevent me from ever saving enough money for a down payment? maybe it's dirt cheap where you live but you cant buy a single story house where I live for under $300 k

THere are lots of people who are cursed with bad credit and live with it every day and they have never been in a hospital.

If you can't buy a house for under 300k then you get paid a lot more than I do and the the minimum wage is a lot more.

You are making this out to be a lot worse than it would be. Give me an example of someone who has a hard time with their medical bills instead of all of these "what ifs" There are too many variables involved to make any decisions.

 

[CptStern]

They would have to be forced to pay more taxes to cover everyone else. And not just some piddly amount, a lot more in taxes

source? according to this your income taxe rate is almost on par or equal with canada's, depending on your earnings:

canada:

10,000 to 24,999 6.2%

US:

10,000 to 24,999 6.2%



the same rate for freehealthcare, safer cleaner cities is a big deal if you ask me

Ahh, so you would lose half your household income if she was orded to bed, no? You might qualify afterall.

pay attention now ..she was working for herself ...so yes, no income ..but I made enough that we were able to survive ...although even though we both make above average wages there's no way we'd ever be able to pay for the mortgage, baby's needs, living expenses etc ...AND a $300,00 hospital bill

1. No interest is charged on your medical debts.

who cares? 0% on 300,00o is still beyond the reach of most people

2. Get your cable turned off, make the cuts necessary to find the extra chash needed to make your monthly payments.

curious ..bodacious ...do you live on your own? I know you say your married but I doesnt seem to me that you understand the responsibilites of supporting your family ..I can budget up the wazoo but that's not going to change the fact that I have to come up with another $1000 -2000 a month just to pay off the hospital

3. The hospital would work with you. They aren't going to make you pay $1000/month. You would pay what you coudl afford.

if I pay minimum $1000 a month that's still 30 odd years to pay it off ..are you saying the hospital is stupid and is willing to make low low payments just to keep you happy?

4. Adjust your expense of livng and get rid of your mortgage

back to reality please ...no adjustment of my lifestyle would help pay for a $4000 a month debt

5. Don't buy a house.

I wouldnt be able to buy one ..seeing as how rent and the cost of living is too high to be able to save for a downpayment

Don't buy a 300k house. Settle for a 2 bedroom apartment or a way cheaper house.

doesnt exist ..2 bedrooms will run you $$900-1200 a month

THere are lots of people who are cursed with bad credit and live with it every day and they have never been in a hospital.

you dont need it when your healthy! you need it when you're old ...seriously how many of you will be able to pay for health insurance at the age of 65? My dad has been in and out of treatments for the better part of the last 7 years ...no way we could have payed for all of it ...even though my parents are quite well off

If you can't buy a house for under 300k then you get paid a lot more than I do and the the minimum wage is a lot more.

nope, that's why there's a shortage of housing in my city ..most people have to commute an hour or so to get to work ...which means the added expense of a car

You are making this out to be a lot worse than it would be. Give me an example of someone who has a hard time with their medical bills instead of all of these "what ifs" There are too many variables involved to make any decisions.

well what about the bus loads of americans seniors that come over the border ever single day for "drug shopping" cuz they cant afford the same drugs back home? cross border drug shopping by americans is a billion $ a year business

 

[Bodacious]

well what about the bus loads of americans seniors that come over the border ever single day for "drug shopping" cuz they cant afford the same drugs back home? cross border drug shopping by americans is a billion $ a year business

That is a completely differnt issue.

 

[CptStern]

no it's not ...healthcare is healthcare

 

[kirovman]

My view: The state should pay the costs of anything that is medically necessary.
That may include heart surgery, haemerroids, fixing a broken arm, etc. Doctor visits should also be state paid.
I don't see free health care as inclination to be lazy as recieving money each month might. I don't think the normal citizen should have to worry "Will I get hit by a bus today, and if so how do I pay the medical bills?"
Health shouldn't be a win-death lottery, the last things people need when they get kicked down by life is to be further kicked down.

Other stuff like boob jobs and that should come out of the patients pocket, maybe taxed more to provide money for the health service.

Also, I'd like to point out that free health care is essentially a state run health insurance, which noone is left out of.

Do you guys disagree with insurance, you pay for things that happen to other people, on the off chance you hit some grave misfortune?

Help your fellow man (or woman ) out.

Yes, like it or not we live in a society, and sometimes we need to help the weak guy back on his feet. We don't live in isolation.

On the other hand why pay any taxes at all?
I don't have a car, why should I pay taxes going towards road maintenance?
You should have to pay for your own roads.
I don't goto school anymore...why should I pay for other people's education?
You should have to pay for your own children's schools.

If we followed the above example we would see the rich-poor divide grow.

 

[OCybrManO]

No, I don't agree. I work hard for what I have and I shouldn't have to pay for someone who has had the same opportunities I do.

Are you thick? That's the whole point. Not everyone has had the same opportunities. Not every man is created equal to start, unlike that game "Life." You're still stuck on this wacky idea that all of the poor people are that way because they are lazy. It's a sterotype. I'm sure at least a few of them are lazy but if I said you were a rapist only because I've seen/heard of a few humans that were rapists you probably wouldn't like that, would you?

As I said before, if you can find a way to give everyone an equal opportunity to succeed... go ahead. Until then, don't kick people while they're down.

If I trusted the Government with my money then I'd choose A. However, I dont so I guess the only option for me is C.

That's actually the best point I've seen in here so far...

They would have to be forced to pay more taxes to cover everyone else. And not just some piddly amount, a lot more in taxes.

How much do you pay for health insurance? Imagine a 25% increase only on that one payment. If everyone that could afford it payed the same amount for health insurance it would cover the ~20% of the population that is without decent healthcare (ie: 4 people pay 25% more to cover the 5th person). OMG! Bankrupt! That would be the flat tax option for everyone over a certain income. The only problem with that overly simplistic system is that 125% of a standard insurance rate would be a much more significant burden for people with lower incomes compared to those with higher incomes.

It could also be made into a more top-heavy system so that the people below a certain level (like the poverty line) pay nothing, then from there the percentage goes up gradually with an increase in disposable income, of course, with a limit. So maybe the top 10% would be paying for the bottom 10% of the population (ie: assuming the cap is something like 200% of the standard insurance rate, which would be practically nothing for the people in that bracket)... which is the majority of the people that fall into the poverty category. Then, the people around the median income level would only have to pay an extra 10% or even less... depending on how the distribution is worked out and what they payed before the switch.

 

[Bodacious]

no it's not ...healthcare is healthcare

No, it is perscription drug prices vs healthcare. If drugs cost the same as they did in Canada there wouldn't be an issue about people crossing the border, would there?

 

[CptStern]

they're the same thing ...does your health isurance cover your prescriptions? oh and there's absolutely no reason why the drug prices in the US couldnt be the same as in canada ...except for the fact that drugs are regulated here (in terms of pricing)

 

[Bodacious]

Are you thick? That's the whole point. Not everyone has had the same opportunities. Not every man is created equal to start, unlike that game "Life." You're still stuck on this wacky idea that all of the poor people are that way because they are lazy. It's a sterotype. I'm sure at least a few of them are lazy but if I said you were a rapist only because I've seen/heard of a few humans that were rapists you probably wouldn't like that, would you? As I said before, if you can find a way to give everyone an equal opportunity to succeed... go ahead. Until then, don't kick people while they're down.

In America everyone has the same opportunities. Yes someone can be born into poverty, but it is their choice to remain in poverty or not. No where is someone's poverty keeping them from getting a high school education and working hard once they are finished.

Why do you keep assuming what I think? What makes you think I think all poor people are lazy? I have never said such a thing.