Let's take a brief break from examining the Wen Tzu to focus on an issue that had a lot of bearing on the Massachusetts US Senate Special Election yesterday -- health care. Since the readership of this blog comes from all over the world, I have some questions.
For those of you who call the 'ol US of A home, if it was in your power, how would you change the health care system in this country and why?
If you hail from a country other than the US, tell me/us about how your health care system works, what you think of it and any suggestions you have for improvement.
I'm not trying to start a vociferous debate. I can tell you going in that I'm not going to argue for or against any comments left. I merely would like to see what people think. So, comment away.
For those of you who call the 'ol US of A home, if it was in your power, how would you change the health care system in this country and why?
If you hail from a country other than the US, tell me/us about how your health care system works, what you think of it and any suggestions you have for improvement.
I'm not trying to start a vociferous debate. I can tell you going in that I'm not going to argue for or against any comments left. I merely would like to see what people think. So, comment away.
i just heard an opinion that we don't need insurance at all... that if the portion of our income normally allotted to insurance was instead put into a health savings plan, we would end up saving in the long run, because hospitals and clinics charge more if the patient has insurance. that way what we don't use accrues interest and doesn't need to be used within the year. and those who get government insurance would get a savings account as well, saving the government from having to pay the high costs of healthcare under insurance plans. this of course would have to partner with trying to lower the cost of health care in general.
ReplyDeleteadmittedly i only heard that opinion this morning so i have yet to think it all over and find the pitfalls. my original idea was to require insurance companies to insure uninsured extended family members. that way you could also get insurance through your extended family member's employment, not just your spouse or parent. regular government insurance would also apply.
Good point Iktomi.
ReplyDeleteI see insurance of any sort as counter-productive.
And of course, it has to be, by its nature.
If it did not make more profit than it paid out, there would be no insurers.
The Crow has observed:
People who have insurance, of any kind, are a lot less careful than those who have none.
I have no insurance today, used to pay $7000 per annum, for nothing. The insurance companies only have to pay a percentage of what I have to pay in full. I who have far less money than an insurance corporation.
ReplyDeleteTo answer the question - I'd go to a socialized medicine model like the French have. Sure their doctors don't make as much, but they get free or much reduced higher education there too. And docs and other professionals are not indoctrinated with the idea that they are entitled to become economic royalty upon graduation from med school as many here seem to think.
Someone - was it Washington? - once said that we have no royalty here in the US, if it was ever true, it isn't anymore, we just aren't required to kiss their asses or the ground as they pass in the streets these days.
National Heath insurance for all supported by taxes.
ReplyDeleteNo more "for profit" medical care.
It works other places and it can work here.
Oh rest assured there are no royalty here in America. This great republic continues to spit in God's face.
ReplyDelete