My thoughts on a universal health care system
I think a universal health care system, one that encourages those without health insurance to get checked up, allow them to make hospital visits without the worry of dealing with not being able to afford the crazy costs of health care in our country would make it so our country as a whole is healthier-- think preventive medicine; by not allowing what could have been fixed via an early check-up or being able to visit a hospital when symptoms start, to get to a point where the person is faced with the options of hospitalization or death... with hospitalization being very costly and most providers not willing to care for insurance-less people beyond certain points due to the fact they're not making much money from it. It's a shame, but that's how it is. Hospitals are like any other company out there, they're in it to make money.
I personally think for something like a universal health system to work without being an unnecessary tax burden, that in order to qualify for the care, the individual must live a healthy lifestyle that encourages positive health-- i.e: no smoking, limited drinking, healthy eating, exercise, etc. to limit the costs that caring for sickness resulting from unhealthy lifestyles has on our country.
Sadly, the chances of something like I've previously mentioned happening are significantly lowered due to the monetary power of various lobbyists in various industries (health care, cigarette makers, alcohol, soda companies, fast food etc.) have on many of our countries politicians and leaders-- democratic and republican.
"The idea (for starting the National Health Service after World War II) was that if Britain could work towards full employment and spend huge sums of money during the wartime effort, then in a time of peace equitable measures of social solidarity and financial resources could be redirected towards fostering public goods." It makes sense... only before people start getting offended and worked up on the idea that their tax dollars would go towards helping those in need (*cough* people thinking the 'poor' consist of 'lazy' minorities on welfare *cough*) and making our country a healthier place.
Also, a friend of mine mentioned that an audit of our whole health care industry would be a great start towards a health system that works, whether universal or as is-- by checking and balancing a possible inadequacy of costs/practices that could lower health costs greatly. Think product/machine companies overcharging hospitals for medicine, machines, accessories, etc. amongst other things.
I personally think for something like a universal health system to work without being an unnecessary tax burden, that in order to qualify for the care, the individual must live a healthy lifestyle that encourages positive health-- i.e: no smoking, limited drinking, healthy eating, exercise, etc. to limit the costs that caring for sickness resulting from unhealthy lifestyles has on our country.
Sadly, the chances of something like I've previously mentioned happening are significantly lowered due to the monetary power of various lobbyists in various industries (health care, cigarette makers, alcohol, soda companies, fast food etc.) have on many of our countries politicians and leaders-- democratic and republican.
"The idea (for starting the National Health Service after World War II) was that if Britain could work towards full employment and spend huge sums of money during the wartime effort, then in a time of peace equitable measures of social solidarity and financial resources could be redirected towards fostering public goods." It makes sense... only before people start getting offended and worked up on the idea that their tax dollars would go towards helping those in need (*cough* people thinking the 'poor' consist of 'lazy' minorities on welfare *cough*) and making our country a healthier place.
Also, a friend of mine mentioned that an audit of our whole health care industry would be a great start towards a health system that works, whether universal or as is-- by checking and balancing a possible inadequacy of costs/practices that could lower health costs greatly. Think product/machine companies overcharging hospitals for medicine, machines, accessories, etc. amongst other things.