Quote:
Originally posted by Botnst
I have health insurance. The coverage is clearly written in the policy that I pay for. If I want something not covered then I pay out of pocket. Seems fair and clear to me. I work my a$$ off to get good coverage for my family. I don't like the idea of working my a$$ off so that soembody else can parasitize my efforts--livin' large on my sweat. Let them get a job, work their a$$es off and buy their own insurance.
My anology with totalitarian governments was not that I though Canada is totalitarian, but that total control of the system results in collapse of initiative--everybody gets the best treatment available. There's just not an awful lot available. Folks from all over the world come to the USA to take advantage of the great compensation we offer for their work. We have also contributed the most innovations in medicine of any other country. As in every other realm of human endeavor, you get the best when you pay the best.
I am very pleased that Canadians love their welfare system. I hope Canada continues to build on its foundation and moves from universal health care into other spheres of life that will bring Canada even closer to the exemplary European model. I wish that Americans who have that deep affection for the Canadian model would emigrate to a country that would better serves their dreams.
I hope the folks who stay work their a$$es off and pay their own way rather than depending on me for their benefit.
Botnst
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Right on target, bro.
The US has higher medical costs largely because of the "lawsuit mentality" that our culture as a whole has developed, and because of profits being reduced by regulation in markets like Canada. A big, BIG part of the perceived advantage that Canada has in health care costs is due to this.
Doctors, surgeons, and hospitals must pay such outrageous malpractice insurance in the US that it is driving the cost of healthcare through the roof. Many doctors in private practice have even closed their doors and gotten out of the profession altogether because of this, or as a result of legal costs incurred while fighting against frivolous malpractice lawsuits. Many more are refusing to take Medicare patients altogether because the government program doesn't pay them enough to make it worth their time, and/or the inherent risk of malpractice claims that come with every new patient.
There is waste, inefficiency, corruption, confusion, political pandering, posturing, and abuse in EVERY program and organization that our government runs. Every single one. Why do people think that "universal healthcare" would be any different? You think our healthcare is expensive NOW? Just turn it over to our government and see what happens!
Someone mentioned in an earlier post that there could be a "compromise" system that is part private, part government... That is misleading. If the government gives "vouchers" for private care, as was suggested, then that is not "private" health care...Where do you think the money for the federal vouchers comes from? Taxpayers. Me. You. There is no such thing as "the government's money" or "the government pays". IT IS YOUR MONEY. They are spending YOUR money. MY money. No matter how nicely they package it and decorate it, it is still redistribution of YOUR wealth.
Anytime you force prices down in one market, as is done in Canada, one of two things must happen: Prices must go UP in some other market to compensate (like the situation in the US), or the quality and/or quantity of service in every market will go down.
Mike