Healthcare

[dsheinem]

Before I start, yes I realize this has nothing to do with video games. Maybe in the future science can come up with some kind of regenerative health system and all this debate would be moot. Until then, this is a "Whatever" forum and that includes political discussion as well.

I was curious if anyone else watched the President's speech last night and thought that it was the first time since the campaign that he has really looked like he was ready to accomplish something. It was easily the best speech since he's been president - the question is whether or not it will actually spur on some quick and decisive action on a bill.

I liked how he pointed to the fact that the US is the only advanced democracy/wealthy country without universal health care, emphasized that providing care was primarily a moral issue instead of a purely political/economic one, debunked the Palin/Beck/other nut-job's nonsensical rumors, and did what he could to bring opposing views together and "play it up the middle." He showed strong leadership skills, in my opinion. The rest of the Dems better jump on board if they hope to get re-elected.

As a side note, it is especially irritating that one of the most interesting, inspirational, and hopeful years in politics (2008) has been followed by some of the worst of Congressional bullshit - fearmongering, deadlock, stupidity, etc - on both sides of the aisle.

Also, Joe Wilson is an asshat. Even if you can somehow excuse his being rude, I don't know how you could excuse his ignorance about the actual language in the bill.

So, thoughts on the speech or on universal healthcare more generally?

[PharmaceuticalCowboy]

I work hard, cannot find a decent job post-graduation, and do not have health care. I really want something set up to help people like me, and many others who cannot afford to pay premiums because of past medical history. I personally am for a single payer universal style of health care, however I realize the costs of such a program are substantial and would require a vast restructuring of the insurance system in the US.

I believe that a good first step is the proposed 'public option' which would undercut the insurance giants today to bring savings on to the consumer. I really think that the giant companies could have an even greater effect on bringing price down, but the fact is that they haven't shown a shred of evidence that they want to help people out by using their clout. Where does this bring us today? Citizens of the United States, pay about three times the amount for health care than other Westernized countries, and it seems most of this extra money goes to pad the pockets of the insurance companies and the doctors that we all love to trust so much. Something needs to be done to bring the companies into line, because they surely don't seem to want to do it themselves.

[Ziggy]

Has any one seen the anti universal health care commercials yet? Or, does any one know the cons of it? I saw THIS commercial just recently.

Personally, I was talking to a friend from the UK a while back. His mom died of cancer. He was telling me that with their universal health care, she would have died a lot sooner. They took her to a private doctor, which they had to pay for out of their own pockets, but in return she got a few more years.

Thought I'm sure it's easier for me to be against it then for it. I've had insurance my whole life. My shitty paying job is unionized. As low as it pays, I get decent health insurance. But people make good points. If the government intends to run our health care system anything like they run the DMV, I'm out.

[Limewater]

So, thoughts on the speech or on universal healthcare more generally?

Unicorns and rainbows, man. Unicorns and rainbows.

And free ponies.

[dsheinem]

Has any one seen the anti universal health care commercials yet? Or, does any one know the cons of it? I saw THIS commercial just recently.

more fearmongering. The IWF is an anti-feminist right wing group.

Note how the commercial says that universal care "could" cause all these problems (could wait months, drugs could be restricted, 300,000 could die). There is no grounds for these claims. The "What are your odds?" line is just irresponsible.

The one hard "fact" in the ad - the lower breast-cancer survival rate in the UK vs the US - is not a direct line to Universal Health care by a long shot (e.g. more awareness, screening in the US probably plays a factor).

There are worse anti-healthcare ads, sure, but this bullshit is indicative of most of them

[Incognito D]

Has any one seen the anti universal health care commercials yet? Or, does any one know the cons of it? I saw THIS commercial just recently.

First of all, that advert receives my butthurt rage for referring to England when in fact it means all of Britain.

They're arguing that the government-run healthcare won't be as good as private, and that people will die as a result. This is probably true, but why don't they do what they do here? - If you want to go private and get better treatment that's fine, but the NHS is there too if you don't want to pay.

The advert makes out like private healthcare will be scrapped and everyone will be moved onto the government scheme. Is that how it is? Or will you still be able to go for it if you want?

[Hatta]

He gets big points for using the L-word. I only wish he had used it in the same sentence as "Chuck Grassley".

[MrPopo]

I didn't catch the speech (was busy playing Muramasa) but I personally don't really care one way or another in terms of universal health care. I've got a good job with health care benefits built in and I generally don't find myself needing care anyway. If it turned out that establishing universal health care would cause my company to drop that part of the benefits and I'd have to join the line then I'd probably be against it. From a high level if more people have access to health care that means more people will use it and consequently more lines.

[Kemiroch]

In my opinion, going from the current health care system in the US to one that can somehow insure coverage for every American is a leap that cannot be made. It needs to be made, because it's a joke, but it has to be in several little jumps instead of one big one. There are some things that need to be changed in the very structure of our country that, I think, a lot of people are scared to see. Without those changes, though, I don't think a 100% insured nation can succeed long-term.

I think what this current debate should try and focus on is making health care affordable for every American. After that maybe we can talk about how to make it free. And eventually, hopefully, someday: unnecessary. I'm not so idealistic that I think humans will eventually discover cures for all diseases and be able to fix wounds with a couple of passes of a tricorder, but I do hope that someday people will realize that it is important to keep people alive without trying to turn a profit at the same time.

[PGchris]

So, thoughts on the speech or on universal healthcare more generally?

Unicorns and rainbows, man. Unicorns and rainbows.

And free ponies.

I don't understand why so many people have this opinion when so many other countries have a successful public health care program. It's like everything else people are all "WOOHOO AMERICA #1" but when it comes to health care its like "Hey were 37th, thats pretty good." Also the US provides our armed forces with government run health care and it's considered one of the best health care options you can get.