Sunday, March 25, 2007

The Democratic Presidential Candidates Discuss Universal Healthcare

CNN's take.

The Post's take.

It disturbs me to see the discussion center about Universal Healthcare center around taxes.

Yes, we might have to raise taxes to enact Universal Healthcare. But every major industrialized nation but us has UHC. And they pay much, much less for healthcare than we do and have better results. In Europe and Asia, they pay about a fourth to a third of what we pay for healthcare and get better results. So while we might end up paying higher taxes, we won't have to pay health insurance premiums anymore.

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

I believe it is important that the discussion centers around taxes at this point. It helps get the tax isuee front and ceter.

But once taxes are discussed and the plans of different UHC programs are displayed to the citizens, I feel the politcians will know that the majority of voters will be willing pay higher taxes for the right UHC.

Your right that most of us will not pay health insurance premiums, but there will still be some that want additional coverage.

I am not to sure that other countries have better medical care than we do, just cheaper. Our current system stimulates research and offers of medical services from the private sector because of the absence of universal care (government) and the chance to make great profits.

We want UHC and we need to hold on to the best parts of the current health care economies and services ( our cake and eat it to) This is what is making the transition to UHC so hard, not the tax issue.

Aaron said...

This week's interview for Faithfully Liberal is with Former Lt. Gov of
Maryland Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the eldest daughter of Robert
Kennedy.

She recently released a new book entitled Failing America's Faithful.
We were able to ask her a few questions about the book as well as her
thoughts on the 2008 Presidential Election, including who she is
supporting. We also asked her about the similarities and differences
between her father and Senator Obama. You can find the interview at
the link below.

http://www.faithfullyliberal.com/?p=243


I hope that you enjoy it.

Anonymous said...

Aaron:

Where has Kathleen KT been? Has she moved residences? Why has she dropped from politics?

I liked her.

Anonymous said...

My concerns about UHC are:

1. Current healthcare is ridiculously inadequate, mired in corruption and ineptitude including flooding patients with prescriptions that are worse than the original condition. Government taking over an endeavor doesn't usually increase quality.

2. Availability when medical care really is needed.

Because of these two things, I have hoped UHC would continue to be a debate rather than a reality. Where my health is concerned, and that of my family, I want full and total control over decisions, not trusting others based on past experience.

Anonymous said...

UHC will provide more people with medical care, but will not provide higher quality. Look at the Walter Reed incident. In the privite sector that would not occur because of the profit motive and fear of law suits.

In reference to drugs, we are a drug, want my cure or pleasure now society. So as a society we well get what we want, until we demand better.

UHC and improved medical care are two seperate subjects. If you want better care, you will have to have private insurance.

Most people never apply the thought process to their purchases.

For the best medical care we can not rely on the current system, or UHC.

For the best care, for our selves and our love ones, we must practice preventive health care, be willing to THINK clearly and criticaly about the services we are currently receiving, and spend, spend, spend.

Debating UHC will not improve quality, UHC is all about quantity.
Total control is a dream we all share, but will never realize, too many other forces come in to play.

Sorry for rambling on, I am preoccupied with a Doctor's appointment I have.

Anonymous said...

Despite the insightful comments that have been published on these stories of universal health coverage (UHC), I fear that UHC will be a long time coming. The current system of UHC "rationing" is somewhat illogical to me (the destitute get some coverage, the rich get excellent coverage, the middle-class get a sliding scale of coverage based on how good their insurance is and the working poor get little or no coverage.) This is compounded by the fact that many health care professionals hate the current insurance-driven practice environment where insurance companies and like organizations call the shots and who may be reluctant to support any plan that has any infrastructure to it. I say this as a one-time pharmacist and a volunteer at a clinic for the working poor.

In my opinion UMC will require some increase in taxes a fact that those opposed to UMC (i.e. the big health insurance and medical service companies) will use to generate opposition to whatever plan is offered. It will take a tremendous ground swell of popular effort to defeat the lobbying (aka money) that will marshalled to defeat any plan.

As Mr. Adams rightly points out, trying to develop the best and most practical plan for UMC is a challenge in itself. Still my dream is to see all Americans have access to health care and that price is not part of the equation that people too many times have to use in calculating whether to see a doctor.

Anonymous said...

Steve, are you OK?

Anonymous said...

Anon, I share your concern. Steve I hope every thing is O.K.

Anonymous said...

Steve is ok. I saw him recently. He'd just gotten back from a business trip.

FreeMarket said...

Steve, you have 24 hours to post something on this blog before I file a missing persons report!

Anonymous said...

Freemarket, your a person of action, I like that, and I am sure Steve appreciates everyone's concern because of his absence.

We are looking forward to hearing from you Steve.

Anonymous said...

I would gladly give the money I pay in copays, extra costs, etc, up in taxes to pay for UHC. To me, it is a "wash". I paid close to $5,000 last year and we HAVE insurance (and it is real good insurance, too.). So to sum up.. $5,000 + $1,200 (roughly $100/month in premiums) = $6,200. Yes, I would be willing to give that in a tax if I never have to pay for health care yearly. That, my friends, is the way to sell this. And anyone that says that the US government shouldn't be in the healthcare field, then someone needs to explain to me what Medicare/Medicaid is all about.

First candidate who details a plan will get my vote - democrat, republican, green party, whatever.

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