View Full Version : Free Health Service?
Villager
11-02-02, 08:55PM
In the UK, we have a health service (http://www.nhs.uk/) whereby free health care is available to EVERYONE, be you homeless, foreign, enemy of the state - whatever. No-one is denied care.
The downside of course is that we are taxed for it - the NHS is the biggest organisation and employer in Europe. And then there's the speed of care: slower than in countries where healthcare is paid for.
Which would you prefer?
Should the state provide such a basic service, or should we fund our health ourselves?
Personally I think it's sickening that you can live in the world's richest country and be denied important medical attention because you can't afford it - the worst example of class divides available. The rich get care - the poor are left to rot. Of course the UK's NHS isn't perfect - it's often inefficient and slow - but it is one of a dying breed of noble concepts still in practice.
Redallnite
11-02-02, 09:05PM
Well I do know that if anyone goes to the emergency room, they are not denied medical help.
Villager
11-02-02, 09:09PM
Emergency room no, but if I have crooked teeth and can't afford braces I can but whistle, right? If I need laser surgery to restore my sight I'm screwed? If I have a potentially fatal disease which can be cured with a simple treatment I'm consigned to death if I don't have the money?
I guess another way of putting it is:
If the state exists to protect and cater for its citizens, but doesn't provide health service, what the hell do you pay your taxes for? War? A vote?
Redallnite
11-02-02, 09:24PM
Wait! Now the braces and laser surgery are cosmetically
to enhance our looks and you can always wear glasses. But for the potentially fatal disease, sign up as a study case.
Villager
11-02-02, 09:27PM
I'll concede the braces.
Laser surgery isn't to enhance our looks! It's to be able to see! A blind man with glasses is still blind. The NHS pays for glasses anyhow - does the US Government?
I'd rather stay alive without subjecting myself to shaky-handed students with itchy scalpel fingers thankyou.
Redallnite
11-02-02, 09:30PM
Did you know that Demi Moore had laser surgery, well now she is blind in one eye for that surgery....
Villager
11-02-02, 09:35PM
All surgery carries risks! I have imperfect vision but I wouldn't risk what I have with surgery. I'll take glasses (when I need them) thankyou.
Redallnite
11-02-02, 09:47PM
Me too sweetie!!!
I think its important to have health care..... I would rather pay the high taxes and have the medical that we all need than have the medical we have now....... I ahve known many friends who were deinied certain procedures and medical attention due to lack of funds.... its just not fair.... besides... if you go into the medical profession do it for the people not for the money
i have health insurance and it has a deductible of $350 before it actually pays for anything. It does pay good on your medicine, but give me a break $350?!?!? thats only good if i catch a disease or get in a major accident. To top it off it just went up on the monthly payments to $62 a month..for 1 person. That might not be bad really. But if u have to go in for the flu or something after shots and all it will cost u $100 out of pocket. The medical field is so outrageous in price it is unreal. But then you have no choice but to have it so your screwed.
kittyroze
11-03-02, 11:28AM
I enjoy the idea of free health care, the only problem is the quality of the care seems to go down. There's something to be said for paying people extra to be specialists in their field. I think basic care should be available to all...but I also like the competition that drives hospitals and what not to be the best. Unfortunately money motivates.
I strongly advocate free or nearly free health care. I come from a small country but I have always been proud been able to tell people that we have one of the best health care systems in the world. It does cost an awful lot of money but as a high earner I am happy to able to contribute even if I haven't needed severe medical attention so far in my life. But as I get older that will change and it's a comforting thought that adequate care will be provided without having to fear an x thousand dollar bill.
I agree that we should do more to help people in need of medical attention who are without money, but ultimately the doctors with talent go where the money is.
We have free healthcare..or almost free anyways..
Breaking my leg i paid a total sim of $50 for everything..
But then we have a tax of 32%..
Do you want to know the biggest downfall to our County facilities? Greed. People who have money that sign up for Medi-Cal [state funded insurance] and use it at their discresion. When I first started at UCLA we had a rash of Medi-Cal fraud. I remember people coming to get xrays in fur coats and diamond rings. One day i was almost hit by some wench in a Rolls Royce. When I walked by the Radiology Department I saw her handing over her Medi-Cal card for sign in. We work directly with Medi-Cal and did a sting. She was one of the people caught. While she was living the highlife, someone under the poverty line[I hate that terminology] was riding the bus to get an x-ray.
I believe that we should take care of our own. I know how it feels to be on both ends of the stick and would never wish someone to not get help.
Villager
11-05-02, 09:26AM
So the question is, ultimately:
Should we all be forced to contribute to a free care for everyone?
Yes, I think that it's the responsibility of each person to look out for each other.
Yeah..Thats what being a nation is all about..Helping your fellow countrymen..
and others too ofcourse..
Originally posted by Villager
So the question is, ultimately:
Should we all be forced to contribute to a free care for everyone?
YES
thestarsfall
11-05-02, 07:56PM
well here in Ottawa most of my health care is covered by OHIP...to a certain point tho hospitals are 170$ for a shared room and 200$ for a private...OHIP covers up to 150$...they also only cover certain procedures and such...no cosmetic stuff or whatever...i think it all works out
Villager
11-05-02, 08:00PM
What about those who would argue "it's my money, I earned it, you have no right to take it away and give it to other people" ?
Princess
11-05-02, 08:06PM
What about those who would argue "If villager is my doctor, I don't care who is paying, I need daily visits" ....
I heard that from a friend .....
Villager
11-05-02, 08:13PM
Wow, I'm that famous eh?
Originally posted by Villager
What about those who would argue "it's my money, I earned it, you have no right to take it away and give it to other people" ?
Then move to a hard core capitalist country. One of the fundamentals of our socio-economic system is that of wealth-redistribution. If you don't agree with that then get out of here.
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