[natty]

Are you for or against it? Why?

Quote

The White House is leaving it to lawmakers to work out the details of a health care plan, but Obama has said it should ensure choice and lower costs, while extending coverage to the 50 million Americans now uninsured. The cost of accomplishing that has been estimated around $1.5 trillion, and figuring out how to pay is emerging as a major challenge for Congress and the White House.

[Diamend]

oh yeaa i keep hearin bout dis on da radio. we got a call today bout it too since we don't got insurance right now

[f-lady]

Quote

The White House is leaving it to lawmakers to work out the details of a health care plan, but Obama has said it should ensure choice and lower costs, while extending coverage to the 50 million Americans now uninsured. The cost of accomplishing that has been estimated around $1.5 trillion, and figuring out how to pay is emerging as a major challenge for Congress and the White House.

If we accept that The White House is leaving it to the lawmakers to work out the details of a healthy care plan, what social and economic impacts will it have on society? Surely, there will be allocations of funds for the law-makers to work out the details of a health care plan at the cost of the public. Do the law-makers consider, say, for instance, that if they decide to increase tax for medical costs to subsidise the funds for the health care, what does this mean for users who do not seek public health care for help but rather have a preference for private health. Surely, they will have to pay (be taxed on) for it as well even if they don't use its services. What does this mean for people who live in remote areas and do not get access to the nearby health services? Extra tax. At the end of the day, it will just increase resident's tax in a failing economy. More and more tax will see a rise in rates, water, electricity all in the name of healthy care plan. But who benefits most from this health care plan? Though 50 million American will benefit from it, is it realistically possible to cover everywhere? What with the swine flu already spreading across virtually all the over the globe, how much of a success will it be?

Overall, Obama generally does have some good ideas on some parameters of a good health care plan. Just as a side note, if a health-care plan that is flawed from the start continues to have recurring problems, (and thus more rules to cover those loop holes) then its worthy of investigation on the economic factors (tax on rates, alcohol, petrol and other commodities), social factors (who benefits, who doesn't?) and political factors (what does this mean for the government in the next re-election in terms of a successful health-plan) in terms of its variability to society's reaction. Should a sample plan be tested out first? Who knows. The White House and their designated law-makers must be sure to work together to cover a lot and not let their self-interests conflict with the interests of the public. Also, in times like swine-flu, it will mean that the job has only gotten worser and worser. Did the White House leave this job to the law-makers because of that very issue? This issue needs further exploration.

[thrawn]

Ok, one thing thats always confused me as a canadian - why wouldnt you want universal health care? I mean, I've asked americans what they pay for their health insurance and generally, per year they are like at least a thousand dollars more then what I pay here in canada in taxes. Plus, in canada, if the local hospitals are not able to deal with a situation, the person is flown somewhere where they can. Furthermore, the people who need it the most are those who seem most opposed to it. I think, if people went into the fiancials of it and actually had a better less flawd understanding of the situation, then more people would be for it. Public health care does have its failings, but at least people dont have to morage their houses, declare bankruptcy or whatever just to pay their medical bills. There will always be some problems - but really, how could it be any worse then the current situation. Yeah the economy isnt doing so great, but look at what the american government did during the depression, to create jobs and the like - and why aren't they doing that now, in addition to throwing money at faltering companies. Admittedly, my understanding is rather biased, as generally, canadians tend to view american news as purely domestic, with little attension paid to the rest of the world, so I dont watch it much. My understanding of economics is also rather on the shaky side, but I think that I pose a valid point.

[aiyaja]

I don't know, each side has its own flaws.

[Kiss*Me]

its such a headahe talking about health insurance.
but wat bothers me more is that even though my family has health insurance, we are discriminated against better health care, and we go see our doctors, they act so dead and bored and disgusted they could die any minute. lol
i don't know..making me sick!!!
i think asian herbs are better. LOL

[koblo]

I am for it as long as the rich do not get richer and the poor do not get poorer!

[LyLy]

If we have Universal health care we could eliminate those insurance company that our out to get you money but denied u the moment you get sick. Yea there are flaws but you have to understand if you see a dying person on the street you would want to help right? Paying a little bit more for taxes will help the 50 million people who really can't afford it.

You guys should watch the movie Sicko? It compares other who do have Universal care and how it benefits them.

[Kiss*Me]

even if there was universal health care, would everyone be treated and cured equally at the same level w/o discrimination or stereotypes of whatsoever?!!!

i mean, most white doctors don't want to cure the poor, esp. people of color or minorities bc they are poor, lack qaulity health care, and other discrimination stereotypes.

[Kiss*Me]

LyLy, on Nov 24 2009, 10:34 PM, said:

If we have Universal health care we could eliminate those insurance company that our out to get you money but denied u the moment you get sick. Yea there are flaws but you have to understand if you see a dying person on the street you would want to help right? Paying a little bit more for taxes will help the 50 million people who really can't afford it.

You guys should watch the movie Sicko? It compares other who do have Universal care and how it benefits them.

i think everyone working person is already too much taxes? wat they want is more taxing? people arent even making enough to live. how are we supposed to go by getting tax cut?

health care is corrupted and messed up. it needs better reform. obama cant do much i dont think. i think wat matters most is eliminate discrimination in health care so that people of color are threatened to receive quality care.

white people in this country received the most benefits in all areas: wealth, health care and medical insurance.

[dragonpia2]

Honestly I am ready to give it a chance. What we currently have is not working and getting worse by the day. I'm a firm believer of the term "if it's not broken, don't try to fix it" BUT in this case it is broken and may continue to break as time progresses. It's a start and probably a rocky start with all kinds of issues but as we work through those and fix it as we go it could pan out to be something that can work for most Americans. How would we know if we are against it from the beginning? If we are not open to new ideas then we as a nation will never "grow". Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best!

[xellia_metallium]

I'm not all for the new health care system because from my understanding, the more you make, the more they cut back from you.

I don't think it's quite fair because those of us who spend years at school and work our butt off trying to make the kind of money we want will be cut back so those less fortunate will get the benefit. I don't mind helping people, but I've seen some of these people who get the benefits. They either don't work, too lazy to try finding better paying jobs, or won't even attempt getting a degree to have a chance at better paying jobs, and expect our country to help them when they won't even try hard like the rest of us to make a living.

My parents own 2 shops, and I know what it means to work hard because I had to go help since middle school and I barely spoke English then. Many of our customers were on welfare and we've seen how they spend their money. While my family stick to free cell phones that come with yearly contracts, some of those people spend $100+ for their phones and then complain about not having enough money.

So IMO, I don't think it's fair for those of us who worked hard for our money only to us paying higher tax cut just to help those who won't try at all.

[bluefrog]

xellia_metallium, on Aug 4 2010, 01:43 PM, said:

I'm not all for the new health care system because from my understanding, the more you make, the more they cut back from you.

I don't think it's quite fair because those of us who spend years at school and work our butt off trying to make the kind of money we want will be cut back so those less fortunate will get the benefit. I don't mind helping people, but I've seen some of these people who get the benefits. They either don't work, too lazy to try finding better paying jobs, or won't even attempt getting a degree to have a chance at better paying jobs, and expect our country to help them when they won't even try hard like the rest of us to make a living.

My parents own 2 shops, and I know what it means to work hard because I had to go help since middle school and I barely spoke English then. Many of our customers were on welfare and we've seen how they spend their money. While my family stick to free cell phones that come with yearly contracts, some of those people spend $100+ for their phones and then complain about not having enough money.

So IMO, I don't think it's fair for those of us who worked hard for our money only to us paying higher tax cut just to help those who won't try at all.

Hum please don't put everyone in the same category. Of course, there are people who spend spend spend and then stare stupidly asking "where did the money go?". Money does not have legs so if it's gone, you have a part in it.
At the same time, I have a cousin who is 35. She has many degrees in education. She never could find a stable job. She's stuck in filling in for people. She's frustrated because she still depends on her mom to buy the things she need. She wants to work, she's seriously looking for it but she hasn't found the opportunity.
You need to consider this group also and have respect for them.
Now I'm not really aware of the issue since I don't live in the US. I can only say that having health insurance really helped me this year because I had to go to the doctor very often, get glasses and all sorts of things done to my teeth. The money they take from my salary every month doesn't bother me too much as long as I see what I'm paying for.