I am not sure if I've said it before, but I support socialized medicine in the US. My rationale is twofold... first, I believe that we would reduce costs significantly if we removed insurance companies from the equation, (IE, getting rid of the profit motive,) and second, if we socialized medicine, everyone would have access to basic health care, which would realistically reduce costs further, because we could catch problems earlier and mitigate, rather than waiting until it's an emergency.
A while back, Bernie Sanders proposed legislation that would incentivize employers such as Wal-Mart, who have a huge number of employees who make wages low enough to be qualified for medicatd, to increase wages. The idea behind the legislation is that medicaid acts as a pseudo subsidy for these companies by shifting medical costs from that company to the federal government. The incentive to raise wages would be that the government would fine the employer for having too many employees that are eligible for Medicaid. I thought it was a great idea, but this article managed to change my mind.
The premise of the article is that Sanders's idea effectively serves to keep insurance with employers, which has the unintended outcome of reducing the power of labor, which is a perspective I had not previously considered, and one that makes me even further in favor of socialized medicine. Allow me to illustrate my point.
Let's say that I'm working a job and get laid off. Under the current system, I essentially lose my insurance when I lose that job. (Yes, I can keep insurance through COBRA, but the costs are prohibitively expensive, and it's still only for a limited time. And yes, I can directly purchase private insurance, but again, it's not cost effective.) As a result, I am significantly more likely to accept the first job offer I get, even if it's at a far lower wage, just so I have insurance. If the government were to provide for basic needs, such as food assistance and health insurance, I'm in a position to hold out a bit longer until I find a job that pays me what I'm worth.
Those opposed to socialized medicine say that welfare is a disincentive to work. For years, they've held out the welfare queen as the example. I will concede these people exist. However, study after study after study demonstrates this is the rare exception, not the rule. And realistically, those who would exploit the system will find a way to do so, no matter what system is in place.
Another objection is that the government would create "death panels" to determine who lives and who dies if socialized medicine were to come into play. In response to that, I say we already have death panels; they're known as insurance companies. In fact, they're death panels twice over. The first hurdle you need to jump is getting a job that provides insurance. No job essentially means no insurance, and no insurance means no healthcare. Second off, insurance companies are known to deny lifesaving treatment.
I get that not everyone shares my perspective. I do, however, believe that most people agree our current system is broken. There have been tons of ideas floated and tested in order to fix our broken system, but nothing seems to work. Logic would dictate that eventually one would admit it's worth trying something completely different. It makes even more sense when you see other countries with socialized medicine that provides the same level of healthcare (or better,) to more people, at the same cost (or less.)
I'd really love to know what Sunny has to say on this, since she spent time in a country with socialized medicine. I'm always open to learning more.
2 comments:
Done Deal!!!!
I think socialised healthcare needs to be put into action in the USA. It was so much better in the UK- for all the reasons you mentioned. If you had concerns- you made and appointment and went to the doctor for diagnosis. If you had an emergency such as a heart attack or stroke etc- you went into the hospital and you were taken care of. You didn't postpone going to see your healthcare provider because you couldn't afford it- because it was taken out of your wages before you ever saw your paycheck. Much like taxes and such here in the USA is now. You don't miss what you never see- and let me tell you- the stressLESSness of it all more than makes up for the bit of change they take out of your check each pay period. Sure- there are people(Frequent Fliers) who will try to take advantage of the system- but we have MORE than Enough of those now- and we all still end up paying for it with higher and higher premiums. So why not have it taken out of everyone's wages and IF you need it- it's there for you. The healthcare providers see who is doing the system scamming and deal with it in their own ways. But Again- if you actually do have medical issues- you have the opportunity to get it regardless. If you don't have real issues, the doctor will give you some sound advice after doing tests and finding nothing. And to be perfectly honest- I think a good bit of the Frequent Fliers wouldn't go nearly as often if everyone had the same advantage as they do.....I've heard enough conversations in the waiting rooms to know what I'm talking about on that.
Attention Ho's. Soz-Truth hurts sometimes.
For Prescriptions- you could sign up for a prescription card for let's just say $10(because American keyboards tend to not have the pound sign-as in British currency- not the hashtag we so often substitute for it.) That's 10 a month for any and ALL your prescriptions- whether you had 1 or 27. Show them your card- it's already paid for. Bob's your Uncle and you are done. The Opioids are VERY tightly controlled there too so there is less chance of the scammers going to get a fix because it wont happen nearly as easily.
It took me ages to get used to going to the doctor and then just getting dressed, getting my paperwork, and leaving the office without paying for the visit or being hassled by the receptionist about insurance infor or such. I felt like the Bobbys( The Coppers, The Heat- The Fuzz....) were going to come blazing in any second and arrest me in front of all and sundry . I think it was around year 5 there I finally relaxed about it enough to not be tense when exiting the building.
The same went for Extreme/Serious Medical issues such as Cancer- My MIL found out she had a digestive cancer. Started treatment, had a little surgery- and was in remission within 2 years- the cost for the hospital stay, the procedures, the treatments, and the meds? ZERO.
The only thing extra they had to pay for for petrol to go back and forth from the medical visits and for parking by the hour at the hospital!!!!
I cannot stress enough how much better off I think this country would be with Socialised Healthcare- and I dare anyone to challenge me on it!!!!!!
That Obamacare BS is just that- BS- I cant afford healthcare now I'm back in the states. I barely make enough to cover my bills and I'm not a low paid employee- (I'm not a high paid one either- I'm just average for my region) and I already owe about 5 grand in medical bills due to the plastic shards incident and the knee incident. Only 2 years back..... tsk.
But yeah- that is my opinion on Socialised Healthcare since I've seen both sides of the coin. It WINS Hands-Down over what the US of A has now.
** Oh Dear- there we go. This is why I usually don't discuss Politics or Religion- I have VERY strong opinions on certain topics- but you specifically called on me- so I obliged. :) Someone over there asked me my opinion of their stance on Gun Control and boy did they regret it. I'm a redneck Southern country-girl who grew up with them. ... I digress. Sorry Evan.
I think you should do a post on the gun control conversation.
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