LadyAlissiya’s Blog

There has been a big debate lately about if we should have government run health care.  I have to say in general I am for this idea…but I must also so that the USA doesn’t always run things very well.  If the program were engineered well, then yes it will do well for all I believe…but so far proposed solutions to me will only cause more problems.

I have to say most people are not looking at other systems.  They hear “government” in combination with “health care” and run screaming…and let’s face it, sometimes this is the case.  But when I look at other government run systems in other countries, such as France…it seems like a good system to me.  I know far too many people without health insurance who do not get care, or those with insurance that still cannot afford to have care provided…despite paying the outrageous premiums.

First check out this site : http://www.photius.com/rankings/healthranks.html

It gives the rankings of countries in terms of their health systems - mind you it’s a bit old (2000), but still I think it gives a decent view of where we stand (pretty damn low for a supposed technologically advanced country).

Next, despite people trying to discredit this movie, it’s a must see - Sicko by Micheal Moore.  I am not a huge fan of him over all, but I feel that he really highlights a lot of the USA’s failings in terms of taking care of it’s people.  I am by no means saying our doctors are bad, but the insurance system is terrible.  Too many people have to choose to get care and go bankrupt, grin and bear their illnesses, or to just die.  Some times these choices are made for them by their own insurance companies.  You have no guarantee that if you get very ill, that they will approve the medical care you need…and god help you if you have an HMO and get sick away from one of it’s service providers.  At least with government care, you’d get something…and as France and other well organized health systems prove…probably far better care then what you can get here.  Even Cubans live longer then us - even though their system is ranked lower.  Why is that?  My theory is because at least ALL people can get treated for illnesses - not just the ones with money.

If you think about it too, health care is the very center of our country.  Without healthy people, you don’t have a work force, and without a work force (and people making money) - you have a terrible economy.  It’s one of our basic needs..right up there with food and shelter.  We need to be healthy.

I am one of the first to admit that I hate going to the doctors.  For one, I find them hard to trust…partly because many are in it for the money (dentists too often…although not all!) and also partly because every time I go, it costs me money (despite having good health insurance).  Now it may not be a lot of money every time…maybe ranging from 25-45 dollars.  But that can add up, especially if I am sick often or something is found to be abnormal.  I find I would rather have that money in my pocket for other needed expenses…and so I just grin and take my sicknesses the best I can.  Oh and not to mention that medications often rack up a bill too…even with insurance.  If the health care I needed was free (even with higher taxes) I would be more likely to go and get taken care of more often instead of just being miserable.  And this is for someone who is young.

If you are older or elderly…forget having any money here in the USA.  Chances are you are retired, trying to live on a small pension and/or social security.  The amount of money  you once had is dramatically reduced, and although you might be lucky and have no car payment or house payment…what happens if you have cancer or heart problems? Or god forbid several serious problems? What you need heart surgery?  Well how do you feel about trading your left leg..and maybe a few fingers?  You can pretty much assume you will be in debt.  Between doctors visits (which let’s face it…there are more of in old age), and medication alone (which also, let’s face it…many times you have “meals” of pills to take to treat various alements) you are looking at alot of money.  This is even if you have medicare and another insurance provider (like from a past employer).  Really, realistically…if you want good life quality…and be able to pay your bills…you might as well die young here.  The USA is by no means about caring for our elders…we generally prefer to dump them.

Really this brings about some social issues too.  The fact that we are all about “I” and “ME” all the time, instead of “We”.  Might I mention that it is “We, the people”…and not “Me, the people”?  There will always be a displacement of money based on class.  Upper class will always have more, and the working/poorer will always have less.  Why can’t we at least care that we all survive…and survive without so much pain?  If we have a healthier working class (through government), the more output can be done.  This makes not just social sense, but also economic sense.  You treat health issues before they become disabilities.  This would make it so LESS people are on wellfare all the time.

And if you are not in favor of government run health care because it is just that - government run… what about our public schools?  Those are a system that provides education to all.  Sure if you want an upper crust education, then you pay more for a private school.  What if the government offered a similar health system?  A general blanket health care system, but if you want even better ( like say for that nose job you wanted ) then you pay out of pocket.  I mean, even insurance doesn’t cover everything…and they do their best to find loop holes so they don’t have to cover very much.

If you aren’t a fan of government health care because you might have bureaucrat between your doctor and you…think about this…you already have an insurance company.  They have to approve things in order for you to be treated.  And if in an emergency for instance, you are treated…they don’t HAVE to approve it…which means you may still have a huge debt looming over your head when you are better.  Hope you enjoy collections.  At least the bureaucrat isn’t worried about his stock holders getting a higher profit then last year (which insurance companies obtain through refusing and denying people what they need).

What about the complaint that you won’t be able to choose your own doctor?  Well let me just say this…we already have one government run health care system used by the older/disabled people in our country…it’s called Medicare.  You know what’s great about it?  You can choose your doctor…even specialists!  You don’t even need a referral…you can just make the appointment and go! Shocking!  With this in place already…I highly doubt they’d change it so you couldn’t pick and choose a health care professional as you like.

So what if the government took over all health care?  Oh NO!  Well to be honest…all of our doctors would then be hired by the government…so you could still have who you like…AND…wait for it…AND it would be free.

I know doctors also fear not being paid as much…but in other systems, doctors are still well paid.  Look at the UK for instance.  They aren’t exactly starving by any means.  Sure they may not be able to have that indoor bowling ally, tennis court, and a 50 room mansion…but gosh - they will have to deal with only one million dollar home…and only a couple luxury cars.  Not all doctors here can afford that even.

Truly, my point is - our current system is terrible.  It encourages less care for the people who really need it …and that is even the people that are dutiful payers of their insurance plans.  It encourages providers to make money by putting those of us in need out in the cold.

One other argument I’ve heard about government run systems is that it provides just middle of the road service…and that this is the case with ALL government systems.  This is certainly a possiblity for us here in the states.  However, if you are uninsured…or insured but denied approval of something you need (like a sugery or treatment)…wouldn’t you at least like to have something?  I know I would.  It’s a life or death thing at times…even if you are one of those insured.  I cannot say that this is ALWAYS the case in terms of a government system.  ALWAYS is a very dangerous word, and is rarely “always” true.  No system will always be perfect…but I believe we can have a better one.  The phrase “well it’s not life or death” doesn’t apply here.  It is life and death for millons of people.  I may not be exactly a people person…in fact I trust relatively few…but I care about the “WE” in “We, the people”  …There is no “I” when it comes to that…and there shouldn’t be just “I” when it comes to the health of others.  It effects me too if someone’s sick.  Think about that.