American Morning
Health care not a right, Ron Paul says
President Obama is getting ready to push his health care reform plan in a prime time press conference tonight. He's hoping to win over the American people as well as members of Congress who are skeptical about the plan.
Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) has been a very vocal critic of the president’s plan. He spoke to Kiran Chetry on CNN’s “American Morning” Wednesday.
Kiran Chetry: You're a physician as well and I'm sure that you have a lot of thoughts on this issue as we debate health care. You oppose President Obama's reform plan. You favor giving Americans control of their health care. Does it boil down to two different philosophies over who should get health care coverage? Do you believe not everyone can expect free or low cost health care?
Ron Paul: Yeah, I think there's a lot to that. But I come from the viewpoint that the most important thing we do is preserve the doctor/patient relationship, which we do not. For the past 30 years or so we've had a lot of government involved. We have veterans care, we have Medicare, we have Medicaid and we also have a lot of people getting private insurance. People having private insurance are not all that unhappy. So what are we doing now or at least Obama is proposing that we turn the people that have service on insurance and make them join the governmental programs that everybody is unhappy about.
So it doesn't make any sense. It's a total failure to run anything by a bureaucracy. It always costs more and the services are always less favorable. So for us to pursue government solutions to a problem the government created sort of reminds me of the T.A.R.P. bailouts. You know what we do financially. So medical bailouts by more government when government created our managed care system of 35 years will only make things much worse.
Chetry: One of the things we've talked about is whether or not independents are backing this. There seems to be some eroding support because of concerns about whether or not we can afford it, whether or not the timing is right. Even though there is that apprehension right now about whether or not we can afford it most do agree that we need to do something about health care. Is there a Republican alternative out there that makes more sense in your opinion?
Paul: Oh, yeah. I think so. I think we should pursue the idea that the patient get control through the medical savings accounts and deductions so that you can deduct everything. The biggest problem is the misunderstanding about insurance. They talk about we need to give everybody insurance. You can't give people insurance – you don't expect from your car insurance to be able to buy gasoline and do all your repair bills and that's not insurance. And this is not insurance either. Insurance would be major medical to take care of the big problems.
That is one of the basic problems. As far as costs goes, they’re estimating $1 trillion or $1.5 trillion in the midst of this crisis no wonder people are starting to wake up a little bit. Because the money just isn't there. The one thing for sure, is if you look at every other previous program by government, if they proposed that say the prescription drug program would cost $49 billion, well, it might turn out to be $150 billion. It's always much more so if they're saying $1.5 trillion for this, be sure it's going to cost two or three times that much.
Chetry: What do we do, though, about this problem with, you know, uninsured children, many people uninsured – the millions? Your state by the way, according to the United Health Foundation survey, ranks 46 out of 50 in terms of overall health. And one of the biggest challenges for your state right now is that there's a high percentage of children in poverty and a big uninsured population. So, there you are opposing this, your state seems to be in dire straits when it comes to this situation. What's the solution for Texas?
Paul: Well, one thing you have to do is say, why do people come up short and why is the cost so high? It's inflation and it's a government management of the health care system that is at fault. But even though I have my ideal system I would like to see with the government out completely because that would be a much better system, that's not going to happen. I’m realistic. One thing we shouldn't do is pay for it with money created out of thin air. So what I would do in a transition, I've talked about this a whole lot, is cut spending somewhere and take care of the very people you're talking about. Because you don't want to cut, under these conditions, medical care from poor people who have been dependent or the elderly.
But I would cut from overseas spending. I would cut from these trillions and trillions of dollars that we have spent over the years and bring our troops home so that we can finance it. A first, very, very minor step was done yesterday by cutting the F-22. I applaud Obama for that. We don't need one system removed – we need to change our foreign policy. Then we could afford the health care that is necessary to tide us over until we have come to our senses and believe freedom can deliver medical care much better than a bureaucracy in government. You have to deal with the problem of inflation as well because that's why people find that medical care costs too much.
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Healthcare is not a right. Healthcare is a service rendered by other people. Nobody has a right to other people's talent, skills or knowledge. It is a privilege, and though it is noble to want to extend it to those who do not have it, healthcare is not a right. Never was, never should be.
Health care is not a right, and neither is an education. Rights are what you have in the ABSENCE of government; government exists to protect them. I have a right to free speach regardless of the Constitution, but the Constitution is supposed to protect me against the government infringing on that right. No one has the right to have a service rendered to them by someone else. That is a form of slavery. I have no claim to your money, any more than you have a claim to mine. The federal government has no business under the Constitution to provide health care for it's citizens. If any government has claim, it would be the states under the 10th amendment, just like education.
Are we not Americans? The most generous and giving people on Earth? Are we not the people who rush in to any country in time a catastrope to lend a helping hand? How can we not care for our own people?
I'm sorry, but to me it just seems that those who oppose reform are simply just selfish.
I work hard and studied hard so I could get have all the things that I thought I would want, and I have succeeded. Nice house, nice cars, nice boat, traveled the world, my guitar collection alone is probably worth more than many people's homes... I just don't understand how people can be so selfish.
Don't tell me that we can't have health care for all in this country, we are Americans! We can do anything we set our minds to!
Healthcare is not a RIGHT...but a resposiblity that we must accept. What we should not accept is a government run system that virtually eliminates the competitive nature of Healthcare. Waste and FRAUD alone could address healthcare for the uninsured. How much do you pay for your ER visit and what is your copay for drug benefits. Medicaid pay $0-2 for ER and nothing for drug benefits. Medicaid will exceed most states current TOTAL budget in the next 10-15 years.
What we need is a way of reducing premiums we pay for now. To do this we need a simpler benefit plan design, a catastrophic fund at the national/state level (paid for by all of us), aggressive actions against medical fraud and abuse, private sector to be involved not govt run and better compensation to primary care physicians(many new doctors are going into a specialty leaving a gap in primary care)
Even if we successfully offer healthcare to everyone, we do not have the primary care physician to support all of the new patients, and care will still be delivered at an urgent care center.
To close it should not be something that has deadline attached to it without the specifics. It is far too complicated.
Jake from New Jersey, Ron Paul does not participate in the government pension or health care program. Get your facts straight. An uninformed lie is still a lie. Don't talk about what you don't know.
Managed health care like we have now was not created by government but allowed to be created by government.Dick Nixon allowed this style health care to be formed.
Managed health care has all the same negatives that government health care does but none of these Republicans will say so.
The heritage foundation has been forefront in opposition to single payer or any government plan that would include all Americans and have spent a great deal resources to get these "opinions" plastered all over the internet.When under oath did any of these wild moon bat conspiracy theories get brought out? Heck no because they are not true,the only thing discussed was how unfair the government plan would be for the poor managed health care industry,thats right these ;liars wouldn't talk about any of the foil hat ideas just how a level playing field was the right thing to do for our current system.
Just months ago the heritage propaganda "machine" was full bore against ron paul,now he is their hero.Next thing you know bush will be considered a good president.LOL
Just because we want a national healthcare OPTION does not mean it has to be mandatory or free. The opposition has tried to paint this as government run mandatory health care, and that is not true. It is simply an OPTION, and it is an option that will enable thousands of uninsured or underinsured Americans to pay into a health care system that will cover them when they need it.
As a Human Resources Administrator for a small business, I have seen health insurance companies increase premiums by nearly 30% each year, while at the same time decreasing benefits. The same insurance companies are trying as hard as they can to find a reason to deny or limit coverage based on a (factual or erroneously perceived) pre-existing condition. My company can barely afford to keep coverage for our employees, and yet many of those employees would not be able to afford to any insurance on their own if we could no longer offer coverage.
The fact is that that if more American’s could afford health care coverage, more American’s would be receiving preventative care. It’s about helping folks to get into the doctor’s office more, so they will be in the hospital less. This would save us ALL money.
I agree with Cameron below....Let Congress and all the others who have health care be put in the same situation we, unemployed, uninsured, Americans have to deal with in NOT having any kind of health care. Ron Paul is a joke to say that health care is a privilege!
The insurance companies have gotten fat/rich long enough! Is it not important for the American people to have health care immediately? You guys need to hear some of the stories of hard working people who have had to pay the High Cost of trying to take care of medical expenses for their families! If I was a dog in need of health care, I bet someone would push the President's Health care plan! mmmm....
To JJ Starks
You must be a part of the GOP Party-STUPID, STUPID AND STUPID. I can't believe you people. When your job end due to company layoffs, not because you quit or you are lazy. Please think outside of the box and get a world view not a self-party view.
People say health care is an "entitlement" or a "right" to preserve life. OK. I ask some simple questions. (1) How about the guy that abuses his body and wants tens of thousands of dollars in health care, valuable organs, and such – depriving someone else (maybe a child) from receiving those things at that time? (2) If by health care, you mean life-saving treatment from a mortal injury or illness, then everyone (even illegals) already have that available. If you are bleeding to death, every hospital is required by law to treat you. (3) What qualifies as health care and who decides where the line is drawn? For example, how about transgender operations, root canals, birth control pills, hip replacement, ingrown toenail, etc. - imagine having a civil servant decide for you. We already have govt health care – look at the VA. Supposed to take care of our valiant warriors that get banged up on the battlefield. Want to discuss just how bad the VA hospitals are?
Americans have the RIGHT TO LIFE, LIBERTY & THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. Period. This is what the Constitution guarantees legal Americans. Not health insurance, education or anything else. READ THE CONSTITUTION PEOPLE.
I have health insurance that I can barely afford. All I want is the same insurance the congress has at a premium I can afford. At the present time the government isn't between my doctor and me but the insurance company sure is. if you believe insurance companies are more compasionate than the federal government, I have an island in the middle of Arizona to sell.
Hey future hypocrites! Your a bunch of sickly individuals who will one day eat all of the words your spewing... Get ready for KARMA! You know nothing about the Karma that will face America because of the way we treat the unfortunate including imigrants who arent allowed in our country so that we can continue to outsource work hurting our country as well. Go on blaming victims as if they did it to themselves. Please! You all sound rediculous and self rightous. You should thank God that your ok right now. Do you even realize how much propaganda has affected your viewpoint. It's easy to boast that you've worked through blood sweat and tears as if the alternative was actually palateable.... give it a rest...
Having healthcare insurance is not the issue. The coverage provided is.
Congressman Paul is smart and thoughtful.
Obama on the otherhand, is about control and ego:
"Let's just lay everything on the table," Grassley said. "A Democrat congressman last week told me after a conversation with the president that the president had trouble in the House of Representatives, and it wasn't going to pass if there weren't some changes made ... and the president says, 'You're going to destroy my presidency.' "
I agree with Ron Paul. He makes some very valid points. Whenever the government gets their hands in the cookie jar they tend to make things more expensive and quality of care, in this case will go down. Healthcare is not a right and neither is insurance, albeit they are necessities to ensure that our families are being taken care of. I understand not everyone can get a top notch job that provides a good HMO or PPO, but even the smallest jobs provide health insurance for families. The biggest issue I see that we have, and the reason for the high uninsured rate is the dependance on government assistance and the social programs we have in place. If you do not make people work , but provide handouts they will not better themselves and will therefore find themselves uninsured. By pouring tax dollars into national healthcare we are effectively creating a system where those that work are paying for those that don't to be insured. I find something a little off on that. A negative effect of this nationalizing of healthcare will also cause a decline in the actual quality of care given by doctors. These are just my opinions, but the whole idea leaves a lot of room for concern and worries for my children's generation.
In most credible polls over 70% of Americans favor a single payer system or some sort of universal coverage. That is a super-majority, yet all Republicans and some Demcrats in Congress think they know better. Of course, they are guaranteed excellent coverage for life so that is not an issue for them.
If the system in most of Europe, Canada and Australia was so crappy how come they all have longer life expectancy than the US and way lower infancy death rates? I grew up in Europe and healthcare was not something you spent time worrying about. Everyone was covered and nobody was denied help because of pre-existing conditions.
Access to basic healthcare should be a right. A child's access to shots, wellness check-ups etc. should not be based on the parent's ability to pay. Prevention is key, if a kid can get help during the daytime at a clinic that charges $50 for a visit we're going to keep the same kid out of the ER two or three days later when a minor problem has escalated into a major one.
Have any of you naysayers ever watched as your uncle died from an infection that spread to his heart because he did not have health insurance? Have you ever gone six months without health insurance in fear of anything bad happening because you got laid off and could not afford COBRA? Have you watched your mother cut her necessary medication in half because she was trying to stretch her dollars because her ex-husband left her with no insurance because he lost his job? Have you ever been fired from a small company because their insurer threatened to drop them because of your medical condition? Have you ever watched a neigbor have fundraiser after fundrasier trying to save their child because they do not have health insurance but do not qualify for government help? I have experienced all of these things. Our system is broke. It needs fixing. If you have a better idea, share it. At least someone is trying to do something to help out those less fortunate. My great-grandfather used to tell me stories about how neighbors helped each other out. Churches helped their congregants out. Health care not a right? We are one of the richest countries in the world, but heaven forbid we help those less fortunate. I will be the first to admit that "bad apples" slip through the cracks with government programs. I've seen and disapproved of it in my own family. But to shun all to spite the few? It brings tears to my eyes as to the callousness and selfishness I see in these postings. Especially the deragatory things said about our President. If you don't agree, that is fine. I don't agree with my own husband sometimes. That doesn't give me the right to insult him. Show a little respect people. It brings to mind the Serenity Prayer my mother had hanging in our house. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. If you have a good job and good health insurance, consider yourself lucky. A few of us have hit a stumbling path along the way through bad luck or whatever you want to call it. Just do not judge me by the same standards you judge yourself.
"I work in insurance and most of the companys we support are self-insured, they pay the claims themselves. Because their money is involved, there are checks and balances in the private system a public plan will not provide, in fact, I can guarantee costs would skyrocket in a public plan. Increased Health costs do not fall only on the insurance companies, there are driving factors which are not being addressed. Instead, they are demonizing the health insurance industry and spreading misinformation in order to get this plan passed. Currently 16 million Americans are eligable for a public plan but are not signed up, and another 16 million are eligable to insurance and can afford it, but they don’t think they need it. Subtract these from your pool of 45 million. We definitely need to gets costs down and get all insursed, but the public plan is not the option."
Sadly Judith, your pointed and accurate statements will never be revealed in the Obama Loving Media. If reporters would start engaging and challenging Obama on proposed healthcare change, we might get some clear perspective.
Ron paul stated , “people have service on insurance and make them join Governmental programs”. Ron paul just lied with this statement. The proposal gives people the OPTION to join a Governmental insurance plan. If this Bozo can’t even understand simple speech the President has already stated, I’m glad he didn’t get elected President….he can’t correctly interpret ENGLISH.--
Dear Health care reform will be established, doesn't matter what Obama says as it's not up to him to legislate the bill. If congress chooses to put everyone in the plan or make them pay a penilty then it will happen or he will veto., but I doubt if he had a bill in front of him he would. You need to learn that the President isn't all powerful, he just represents a third of our government.
If we can find the money to kill people, WHY is it we can"t find money to make people well???
To DJS
It sounds like the health field would be better off without NURSES like you. If money is all you are interested in, why don't you and others like you go and become a BANKER or something. Greed is the biggest problem with our health system and greedy people like you!!!!!!
I'm a type 1 diabetic and have been since I was 3 years old. I am now 24.
The problem is not "inflation" or government management it is the system which goes unchecked and uncontrolled. It is the system that allows insurance companies and pharmaceuticals to control health care. I had the same problems during financial stability as I have now. Personally, I trust my government much more than I do the outright corporate focus of the controlling companies we have now.
If I do not have health insurance, my medical bills are around $700/month. If health insurance providers do not reject me immediately, they quote me at a minimum of $500/month simply because I have a pre-existing condition. I do not drink, smoke, and am very active.
Tell me, Ron, what options do I have when I get laid off in about two weeks?
Those of you opposing this have never been in predicaments like the rest of us, simple as that.
You're right, free, universal health care is not a right...but affordable options relative to my LIFE are!
competition lowers costs, not over-regulated oligopolies. i'm a physician and i put my money, time, effort and stick my liability neck out whereas you libs only put your vote and other people money.
p.s. blaming this recession on the free market is like blaming it on martians. the free market hasn't existed in this country since before the great depression when teddy roosevelt and the bull moose progressive movement. gov't intervention in the housing market with subsidies, mortgage rules and federal reserve interest policy is hardly free market.
As a former medical doctor he should be ashamed of himself.
Must be nice getting the congressional healthcare package and not having to shell out so much as a dime for it. He clearly has no qualms about taxpayers picking up HIS personal tab.
Ron Paul is a selfish fraud and hypocritical narcissist. I took great delight in watching him lose the primary by a landslide margin. We’re lucky that less than a percent fell for his act.--
Jake, he does not take part in the congressional pension plan. He even returns a large portion of his salary back to treasury. Study up buddy.
By some of these comments I can see (imho) where this country has gotten off track. Imagine the spirit of the pioneers who came to this country. They had a right to life, but they did not have a right to food, medicine, healthcare, etc... They had a right to liberty: liberty to work hard to obtain food and other things to benefit their life. They had a right to the pursuit of happiness: they could pursue whatever they chose would make them happy (legally of course). I believe we do NOT have a right to FOOD or HEALTHCARE. But we have a right to liberty to provide that for ourselves and our loved ones. And for those who don't have the ability to work, that is where FRIENDS and FAMILY and COMMUNITY help out, NOT the government. I would rather live and die a free man, than to live a life where the government tells me what I can eat, not eat, monitors my exercise, directs me to government approved health plans, and rations my care, etc... This entitlement mentality is killing true liberty and personal responsibility, and it will be the death of our once great country.
Ok, there is no doubt that the way of doing things is not perfect, but why does it seem to me that we are trying to rush and fix the problem. Is Obama not elected for 4 years. Why don't we slow down and think about it and look at past goverment projects.
Simply rushing the issues will get something done but there will be an awful mess to cleanup. Like allowing sub primes loans to be booked by Fannie and Fredi. Seemed so smart and happened fast. But seems to suck now. Or give the atuo boys lots of money so they wont go bankrupt. That seemed to work or did it. Or pass stimulus so we can stop the loss of jobs, unemployement is down isnt it.
I just think we should think before we act, for crying out loud.
Finally!!! A politician with some sense! Health care is NOT a right. Neither is food and shelter, things which our forefathers and foremothers have had to work for and EARN throughout America's history. People need to get off the entitlement train and start bringing accountability back to America. If you want health care, work for a company that offers it or earn enough money to pay for it. It's a service, just like any other.
Bruce A Thompson,
Education is not a right.
So now we're all supposed to listen to this rich, government health receiving moron? And the rest of you sound like youre from the Health Care indistry and dont want the competition, plain ans simply because it would make you have to actually provide a service at a cheaper cost and you cant have that can you? ...pathetic! Greed is your motivation, selfishness is your character! God doesnt like ugly and you all will pay later.
Clueless and incoherent.
Perfect match for Palin.
Palin/Paul 2012
That should guarantee Obama a second term.
Obama couldn't possibly screw the country up enough for these two bozos to be elected.
So now all of you are listening to this rich, government health receiving moron? And the rest of you sound like youre from the Health Care indistry and dont want the competition, plain ans simply because it would make you have to actually provide a service at a cheaper cost and you cant have that can you? ...pathetic! Greed is your motivation, selfishness is your character! God doesnt like ugly and you all will pay later.
You cannot claim a positive right. Meaning you cannot make a claim on someone else's resources or time. That is limiting their rights. No one has a right to health care or education or welfare or anything else that they don't earn on their own. Period. You can claim negative rights, the right to be left alone to live your life, not be executed, imprisoned or prevented from pursuing your aspiration. Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness. No where is your right to health care, education, or free money delineated. Socialism does not work. Ask Russia, China, Cuba, North Korea. All of whom suffered under socialism. Now Russia and China's economies have caught fire that they are capitalist
Health care could be funded by eliminating the Travel an Entertainment tax deduction. Wealthy business owners literally live out of their business; expensive cars, fancy resorts, even household costs.
To say health isn't a right, its so dum. These are the same people who claim they are pro life. What of all the people that can't get medical coverage because of low wage and no employee health care provision. In the Netherlands you don't lose your home because you get ill? There's national insurrance, everyone has to pay for this, be it you are on welfare you pay for it. It's the insurrance companies and those benifiting from rising health cost that screem government intervention in health is wrong. With government intervention the cost goes down, for hospitals, doctors etc can't up the fee they charge you just like that. people who agree with rep Ron, should lose their job and see how easy it then becomes to get health insurance and a afordable rate.
You cannot grant a right to one person that requires the labor of another.
Free speech is a right because you exercise it alone.
Healthcare cannot be a right because it would require servitude from other citizens.
Therefore, it can only be an entitlement, which is an important distinction because then it can be opposed. A right cannot be opposed.
Yes, someone like Ron Paul who is covered for life would say something like this. Dumb as a post and completely out of touch like all the other No-publicans.
It is so nice to hear Dr. Paul expound on his thoughts. Personally I have a problem with the President saying if a person changes jobs he loses his insurance? Hello what is COBRA then? I wished somebody would tell that to the Democrats controlled Congress. Texas will always be close to the bottom on those polls because simply we have too much Ilegas that come from Mexico for treatment and don't pay. Finish the fence to prevent ilegals from coming over. What about the President's aunt that is here illegaly? Where does she get treatment? We need to eliminate all the "czars" that the President has. They don't go through the vetting process and what is their salaries. Surely that could help to bring down the deficit.
I share many of Rep. Paul's views. I was sorry to see that he misstated one fact and ignored 3 realities.
The misstated fact was "make them join the governmental programs that everybody is unhappy about". To my understasnding, that is not true.
Reality #1 – a bureaucracy already handles my Insurance and stands between me and my doctor. It does it for profit only.
Reality #2 – Almost all enrollees in government health care plans need care. There is no significant healthy subscriber pool to subsidize the payouts. An objective analysis of any Insurance business model leads one to the conclusion that the cheapest insurance is insurance with the most subscribers.
Reality #3 – Health care has become so expensive because it is so advanced because the government helps it advance (patents, Doctor certifications, regulated drugs, etc). Thanks to progress and government protection of medical monopolies, working men and women rely on their moneyed bosses' sense of charity to make good health care possible.
I wonder if Rep. Paul hates his government health insurance and whether he thinks it is poor insurance. I bet he lets the doctor decide whether that mysterious pain is heartburn or heart disease. Many I know let the sunrise decide that question.
Is that just, free and fair?
I like the idea of redirecting our foreign expendatures.
Why are we continuing to give money to other countries at the same time our country is hurting for money?
Why are we still pouring money in to the Israeli trough when they already have a very viable economy. There are many countries we can stop, even for just a few years, handing out money in order to fix our problems.
The United States should NEVER provide more support for a foreign country than it provides for its domestic citizens.
ron paul = idiot
Ron Paul knows what is going on. We have to control inflation or we will destroy our country. The financial picture of our country is not good and Ron Paul is consistent with his message. The reason health care costs so much is inflation. And our government keeps printing more money and more money and more money while the workers of our country do not export much at all. It is economics, and if you know what to look for, you can see it painted in neon colors.
Did I miss a few decades? When all of a sudden was I not allowed to go to the doctor? I have access to health care. Everyone has access the health care, the problem is they just want someone else to pay for it.....typical.
I work in insurance and most of the companys we support are self-insured, they pay the claims themselves. Because their money is involved, there are checks and balances in the private system a public plan will not provide, in fact, I can guarantee costs would skyrocket in a public plan. Increased Health costs do not fall only on the insurance companies, there are driving factors which are not being addressed. Instead, they are demonizing the health insurance industry and spreading misinformation in order to get this plan passed. Currently 16 million Americans are eligable for a public plan but are not signed up, and another 16 million are eligable to insurance and can afford it, but they don't think they need it. Subtract these from your pool of 45 million. We definitely need to gets costs down and get all insursed, but the public plan is not the option.
I've read this a couple of times and I'm confused by the title of this story. Can anyone tell me exactly where Ron Paul says that health care is not a right? I think this title is very misleading. He even says that uninsured children and elderly deserve coverage.
People with private insurance who are happy are the ones whose employers are paying for it. Either that or they're rich and can afford $500+/mo. plans. Why do they think so many people are uninsured? Most people want health insurance and would be willing to pay for their own if they could get a plan that's affordable and provides decent coverage.
Would any of you care to see a human being die because they
can't get tests and treatment? I don't make 250,000 a year, but I
am willing to bite the bullet. I want to see EVERY AMERICAN covered.
People shouldn't be allowed to die because of financial status.
Healthcare can't be a right unless American's are willing to take responsibility for their health. The majority of Americans are overweight, have terrible diets, and rarely exercise which increases the prevelance of the diseases that cost health care so much; diabetes, heart disease, strokes. If American's would choose to take a preventative approach with their health we could cut the health care budget need dramatically.
Fair question: "Do the people of the United States of America believe that all citizens are entitled to basic healthcare, regardless of ability to pay?"
If not, are we OK as a nation to allow the poor to wallow on the curb puking and writhing in pain as they die? Or do we have a special place in each town for them to pass away out of sight?
If we do believe that basic human rights by the most affluent nation ever include healthcare, how do we do that?
If there was an ounce of collective integrity in the House and Senate, they'd agree to do something that worked. Instead, we get spokespersons for the profiteers in our current system: Insurance companies; Hospital Corporations; Big Pharma; and the thousands of others that comprise the 15% of GDP.
Sorry, no solution in sight.
Before anyone says again "The US has the best healthcare in the World" they must visit the World Health Org web for a non-biased assessment. The we must ask ourselves how it is possible that we are ranked #37 while we spend more than 2x per person per year than anyone in the top 10. Can you spell "profit motive"?
Something MUST change, eventually.
Why not sooner?
The Constitution guarantees the right to life, not the quality of it. Ron Paul's ideas may be a bit too libertarian for the common person who doesn't interpret the constitution the way he does, however that doesn't make them crazy. I encourage all people to take a look at the constitution and tell me where they see "the right to a national healthcare program"...yes we do live in a modern world where healthcare is readily accessed....however, giving the government control of YET another aspect of daily life that should be personal choice is just creating more bureaucratic red tape. How many of you enjoy waiting in line at the Social Security office? or at the DMV? Now take that and triple the wait and put your sick child in the waiting room, add sub-par care, and miles of government forms and files. National health care sounds good on paper but in practice it simply doesn't work!
Health Care should be a right. Leave it to a politician to say otherwise. Health care for politicians and their families should be taken away. I would assume health care reform would happen much quicker at that point and most of these thieves would be whistling a different tune..
Healthcare is not a right, and everyone can have it. I'm sick of buying the poverty line – been there and done that. And through hard, ugly work made it out. But I like the insurance approach and car comparison, too true.
If you want universal healthcare, go to a waiting room in Canada. Than you'll realize why they come to US hospitals. I don't want to wait behind a kid with a cough that is just the 24 hour flu, we'd have more medical missteps and quick judgements on diagnosis. The doctors and nurses are already understaffed.
Poverty ain't an excuse to foist Obamacare on taxpayers, particularly as many are here ILLEGALLY and should NOT get free service, courtesy US taxpapers.
Doesn anyone know...is Congress specifically excluding Illegals? I would bet my bottom dollar answer is "no!"
And if Obamacare is rammed through, we will see a flood of pregnant Hispanices pouring across our borders. COUNT ON IT!
Health care in this country is a tragedy and probably criminal. Ron Paul is in the pockets of the insurance companies evidently. Single payer works in all countries that have it, even the Conservatives in England love it! This country is headed for a major crisis unless something drastic happens in this terrible system where big business is telling people and doctors what they can/cannot have to save their own lives.
Funny, but I haven't noticed the government getting between me and my doctor. I HAVE noticed the insurance companies doing that. Doctors need to take their profession back from the insurance industry. Then it's time to put an end to all the frivolous malpractice suits driving up health care costs because a handful of idiots win the lawsuit lottery.
As the president has said over and over, nobody is going to "make them join the governmental programs." Anybody who is happy with their private insurance can keep it under the president's plan. Ron Paul is dishonest about this fundamental point, and he cannot be trusted to make policy for the country.
Yes, health care is a right. "If you see someone in need and do not help, how can the love of God be in you?" (I John 3:17)
I am 100% democrat/liberal, but do support gun rights (constitutional freedom) and logical thinking. That said, there is obvious corruption going on in the private (freedom) sector. In a perfect world where the free market is healthy and fair and massive corporation are non-existent, I think Ron Paul's ideas would be totally valid and successful. Unfortunately, until these big corporations are disassembled and corruption/excessive greed is managed (by the government), there is no real way to go about this other than infusing federal regulation.
Perhaps in 15-20 years, long after the federal government has taken over...long after the corporations are reduced to sizes that are good for the free market, long after legal has been normalized to eliminate loopholes and operate as it was initially intended to, the federal government can loosen the reigns and let the free market operate as it should. Until then, it is in the best interest of the working class for the government to step in and regulate wherever it sees fit.
Reaganomics (aka Voodoo Economics) and free market capitalism has failed. This depression we're in is living proof.
Two thirds of all bankruptcies in our country have as their base cause, unexpected and high health care costs. It's very popular to trash the Canadian system right now, but the problems with it are being exaggerated. No one goes bankrupt in Canada due to exorbitant health care costs. Germany has a very good program that combines private insurers and government based insurance for those who aren't otherwise insured. Isn't it time Americans had the health care coverage available in many other countries? Should one have to go bankrupt because an illness or accident keeps them from working? It's about time American forged on with affordable health care for all!
Although I disagree with a lot of what has been proposed by Obama and Dems, I do like the fact that Obama is attacking the issue rather than not touch it because its a political hot potato as has been done in the past, because of election concerns.
it is at least front and center and needs to be debated and discussed. I think the final bill should allow those who want private insurance care to continue to buy it. provide for health savings accounts as well as provide medical insurance to those who don't have it for one reason or other.
what people fail to realize is that we do pay for the health care cost of the 43 million un insured through higher insurance rates, higher medical costs, higher hospital rates, and higher drug and treatment costs. Not to mention hospitals and health care industry cutting back on care to the edge to save and keep costs low.
so you pay a higher tax or you pay for higher insurance rates and higher health care costs by private providers. what's the difference?
Health care costs have sky rocketed way ahead of inflation and other goods and services. at this rate the 43 million uninsured will be 80 million. do we wait until we hit crisis before we attempt to answer it and fix the problem? or do we have forsight that it is only going to get worse as it has been and address it now.
Melissa states that the Constitution guarantees a right to life? What does that mean exactly? How do you possibly link that to health care? If you want to do that then abortion should be illegal right? I mean, that's killing a baby if we use the same argument as you are. Some of you folks should get a clue before you post something. Government health care (like Government anything) is a huge recipe for disaster. Why are our Congressmen and Senators exempt from this new health care plan if it's so good? Why will they not be forced to abide by it like we will. How do they account for the hundreds of thousands of people who are opting out of a health care plan? I have lived in Europe and I have worked for the Government. European healthcare requires its citizens pay about 50% in taxes and the system still stinks. This is the Socialist system Obama is striving for. The Government is cumbersome, inefficient, and inept at managing large-scale programs. The combination of these two things creates the ultimate nightmare scenario.
Mr. Paul should have been asked if would be willing to back his ideology by swearing off his federally-provided health care and buying private insurance for himself and his family. Perhaps he could refund all the money he made off of his past patients who paid with medicare and various government medical benefits. Many providers today already do so by refusing to take medicare patients.
The Libertarian philosophy is an essential part of the larger American fabric; I agree with some Libertarian views (war on drugs, privacy of home, etc) but you can't run a country on pure ideology of any kind. Our financial crisis is directly attributable to a Libertarian attitude towards financial enforcement. Bush's SEC Chairman changed the course of American history simply by refusing to attend meetings or listent to his staff. Libertarianism has exhausted its credibility under Bush.
Bring the troops home, yes, from Afghanistan? Korea? Japan? And then if Al Queda regroups we just have to tolerate the daily attacks on our country. We can also trust North Korea. Get rid of the VA? Yes, that would boost military morale and recruitment. Let's just eliminate taxes, close the military, retire our nukes and trust Russia, China and Al Queda to be nice to us. Free Markets will solve everything.
What about Texas? Much of the population is illegal and cannot advocate for their rights. The ruling class of Texas is quite happy with this arrangement; it's superbly useful for them. Who cares if they have medical problems and can't work? More will come to take their place. Libertarians seek open borders, by the way. It takes public money to fence and enforce the border.
Mr. Paul lives in a fantasy world where markets are perfect and solve every problem, even terrorism. Sorry, but there are people in the world who don't worship free markets, who have fundamenrtally oppose individual freedom and want to blow us up (Libertarians included) even if they can't make money on it.
By the way, Ron Paul doesn't get the same healthcare plan as the rest of the house. He's not a hypocrite, thankfully.
My company is getting ready for big lay-offs. I wish there was a public option to fall back on. My whole family is on my employer insurance and I will not be able to afford health issurance and keep paying my mortgage too. Cobra is way too expensive. I know several people how have beed laid off, have no health insurance now and can't find another job either but they are not poor enough yet (haven't lost everything they own) to go on medicaid. That is what is wrong with our system. If you are poor you can get medicaid at tax payer expense which cost a lot more than it should because people go the the ER for every little thing. (my husbands two 20 something daughters both get medicaid and probably will forever). The rich or the lucky ones who can land good jobs with good employers can get good health insurance. But the lower middle class is screwed. The only way they can get insurance is to go bankrupt and lose what little they have.
Ron Paul is clueless about what it is like out there for regular people. I hope the people who voted him it take a good look at just how much he cares about them. I wonder how much he has been paid off by big insurance.
Health care is not a Constitutional right because it involves money and labor. Nobody has a right to something that requires someone else to give up their services and/or money. Your "rights" stop where my right to my time and money begin. To all those who say that "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" implies you have a right to health care, tell me why abortion is legal. That seems to get in the way of life for those whom it's performed on.
Provide the same care as they give them selfs
"Why should those who have a good job with health care benefits be punished in order to provide lack luster coverage for all? I put myself through college to ensure I would have a good career. My blood, sweat and tears (and lack of sleep) went into four years to be able to provide for myself. Now I’m faced with student loan debt, but I know that despite economic times I’ll be able to find/keep a job to support myself. CNN did a poll asking who has health care benefits from their employer: So far 90% have answered they do. I’d say that’s a vast majority so why should that 90% have to pay for the other 10%? It’s just not fair and I definitely do not support it."
Kara, I entirely agree. Additionally, the Liberal Democrats are attempting to allow our tax dollars to pay for abortions – as cited from Yahoo news “Without an explicit prohibition on federal funding for abortion, it could be included in taxpayer-subsidized coverage offered through the health overhaul plan . . .” And this article goes on to state “The Supreme Court has established a woman's right to abortion, but federal law prohibits government funds from being used to pay for the procedure in most cases.”
Obama is pleading for swift action without allowing Americans to fully digest what we are being faced with. I have had enough of my hard earned money going to those without! This scenario is exactly what I feared with Obama; let’s invoke a new mantra in America where individual success is always evil. Those who have worked hard and EARNED their wealth will be made to pay for those angry folks yelling “it’s not fair”. If life has not been “fair” go to college and get a job or start your own company.
I am sick of being taxed after much self sacrifice. Between the government and my lovely Illinois Governor wanting more of my money to redistribute and a reexamination of tax laws for charitable contributions, it is time to start getting more use out of offshore opportunities.
The response to this quandary (taxes) was retorted by Ron Reagan on Air Amerika yesterday as he loosely stated, nearly mirroring Obama, what is an extra $9,000 is taxes to help others when you make a substantial amount ? If I EARNED the money then I should CHOOSE who or what benefits through charitable contributions. Obama and the same minded Liberals wants Middle America to believe that the well off sit on their money and hoard it; not true, many are backers of very worthy causes. And let us not forget that these same/evil rich folks are often captains of industry who employ tens of thousands.
Hey Washington, focus on education and job creation to get people out of poverty/section 8/Link Cards.
For everyone here that says "healthcare is a right", you can pay for it. The fact that our country is going down the drain like a HELOC'ed sub-prime borrower and we are even entertaining the notion of spending trillions on this is insane. It's like we are on the titanic and worried about the silverware as the ship goes down. How many doctors and hospitals are going to be able to stay in business by collecting medicare + 5% rates?
Not only is health care not a right, but the government doesnt have to ensure you have actual happiness....you have the right to pursue your happiness, but not at the governments expense.
Last time I checked there are hundreds of companies out there that sell health insurance. Yes, It is probably expensive, but so are your cell phones, cable TV and all the extras. People do not want to give up the extras for the necessities. Most have lost sight of what is most important and they want the government to take care of it.
I pay 146.00 every two weeks for health insurance for me and my family. I still have co-pays and deductables. I make sure those things are paid first, the rest comes second. It can be done, you just have to put the needs of your family first.
So healthcare is not a right, food is not a right, shelter is not a right, education is not a right, ... where do we go with this. Not everyone is working and in an employer plan and that doesn't make them a failure; perhaps they are children, or very ill, or temporarily unemployed, or old. Now what kind of country is this if the only people it values are those that are working. Is your elderly mother or father of no value because they no longer work? Are your children of no value and therefore undeserving of healthcare because they don't yet contribute to the bottom line? There are many good hardworking people who are not in employer plans because the employer doesn't offer an employee plan. So what then? They are all just losers? Some day you may just be on that same barge out to sea without enough fuel to get back home. See how you like it.
As a single mother of two, I don't have enough money left over after paying my bills for even the lower premiums on Medicaid, let alone a private insurer (I've looked). So we're all uninsured. However, if I quit my job or have more kids, I would then qualify and the government would take care of us. That is a big problem.
Becton, He's pretty much saying that due to governments inefficacy, and the fact that government has been involved in healthcare for so long, the markets pricing for health care was altered. True, I'm in my twenties so I don't know what healthcare was like back in 1970, but I'm pretty sure it was somewhat cheaper than it is today. Another issue he brings up is the fact that it will cost money (which we don’t have), but Obama hasn't cut spending. Sure maybe a few billion here and there, but it's not enough. We need to stop spending money overseas on wars, bribing, and bailing out other countries. Maybe we need to cut medicate and medicare altogether if the uninsured will be covered on a universal plan. What a lot of pro uni-health care Americans need to realize is that fiscally conservative citizens aren’t out to get them, we just don’t want to be forced to pay for a service we will never use, or have to pay a fine for not using it. It’s like social security; we’re forced to pay it, and being as though I won’t retire until around 2060, I probably will receive one-third (if I’m lucky) of what my father gets today. That isn’t right, I should be able to opt out of a service that forces me to pay yet may do me no good in the future.
There's no way healthcare should be a right. If people smoke, why should I cover the costs to treat their lung cancer? If people eat 40 Twinkies a day, why should I pay for their obesity? If people drink, why should I pay for their liver transplant? People need to take responsibility for their own actions instead crying about how unjust the world is. What is truly unjust is taxing people who work hard everyday so that the lazy can get handouts.
Health care is not a right guaranteed by the Constitution. "Life" is guaranteed, but not modern medical care. I think there is a difference. The biggest problem with government solving this problem is that they are not thinking in terms of benevolence and charity, they're thinking in terms of money, power and self-preservation. No one would choose a doctor based on these criteria–why are we suddenly clamoring for one? If I really care about those in need I'll be donating to my local free clinic, not donating to money grubbing politicians and bureaucrats.
As a former medical doctor he should be ashamed of himself.
Must be nice getting the congressional healthcare package and not having to shell out so much as a dime for it. He clearly has no qualms about taxpayers picking up HIS personal tab.
Ron Paul is a selfish fraud and hypocritical narcissist. I took great delight in watching him lose the primary by a landslide margin. We're lucky that less than a percent fell for his act.
Ron Paul 2012!
Its high time that we brought some common sense to Capitol Hill. The people there are by and large so distanced from their constituents and reality that they never get anything done right and create more problems then they attempt to solve. Ron Paul is one of the few voices of reason in a political game controlled by die-hard Republicans and rabid Democrats. Its time for everyone to step back, take a deep breath, and handle our problems reasonably, without the endless bloated and inefficient bureaucracy that we currently find ourselves in. An endless bloated and inefficient bureaucracy does nothing to support your freedoms. Small government with minimal interference in your lives does support your freedoms.
Becton, the government does indirectly manage much of the system at present. Many private insurance companies set their services, fees, etc., based on what Medicare does. So Medicare sets the basic range and then others fall in place around that.
And you are right, check-ups are not the problem. Quite the opposite, actually – the general lack of check-ups, preventive care, etc., leads to long term health complications like obesity, diabetes, etc. Check-ups should be encouraged, not discouraged.
One of the biggest parts of health care costs that has not been discussed at all (at least what I've read) is tort reform. A huge portion of health care costs come from physicians practicing "defensive" medicine and over-ordering tests for fear of being sued.
sooo what other rights do i have, the right to bear arms (so everyone has to fund my purchasing of a gun), the right to free speech (i need a newspaper subscription and a new laptop to blog from), speedy trial (no more court costs or lawyer fees, you'll pay that portion for now on), it goes on and on and on.
As a nurse for many years I am totally opposed to Obamacare. I have been a registered Dem all my life and am totally disgusted with this president and his congressional fools. You have no idea what a bad idea these so called health plans are and how it will ruin healthcare in this country. Already doctors and nurses are leaving the profession because of lack of reimbursement or any pay for care. The alcohol-drug addicted elements of our society are draining health care system emergency rooms and hospital systems. These ghetto snipes can certainly afford their street drugs , big screen TV's etc. but demand all kinds of free services from the rest of us. They have no respect for the amount of education and dedication healthcare workers give every day and they also have no idea how fed up we all are with these elements of society. The omnibus recon act in the 80's that brought in managed care was a huge mistake. It brought insurance companies and gov. entities between doctors and their patients. That would be one thing to repeal. Make insurance more competitive, get rid of pre-existing conditions and change the fact that anything needs pre cert. before treatment.. If not and congress passes this horrible idea- I and a lot of my associates will retire. You won't be able to find a doctor to take your coverage as is already the case for many medicare and medicaid patients. Sounds great doesn't it. And if you do find a doctor there may not be any nurses to care for you in hospitals. Think about it- You Need a Nurse to Save Your Life.
Kevin, How many 50 year old men and women without health insurance have an opportunity to join the military? So much for your option. Think at least a little before you put your thoughts to print.
Bosh! Ron speaks for the doctors, drug companys, hospitals and all medicos who want more money. We don't need better insurance. We need better medical care! Wake up folks. All the Medical industry and insurance companys want is to lock in the current system (Which is NOT the best system in the world!) and get more money for doing the same or less work. We need a system like France has. Say what you will about the French, they have a "Womb to tomb" medical system for their citizens that works far better than our patchwork duplicative idea of how to run a medical system. Ron Paul is just looking out for his own pocketbook, not for the American citizen.
Ron paul stated , "people have service on insurance and make them join Governmental programs". Ron paul just lied with this statement. The proposal gives people the OPTION to join a Governmental insurance plan. If this Bozo can't even understand simple speech the President has already stated, I'm glad he didn't get elected President....he can't correctly interpret ENGLISH.
Ron Paul is a nut. His ideas are very bad for people everywhere. Health care is essential for life. The Constitution guarantees the right to life which means it guarantees the right to health care.
I’m so tired of the nuts in this country. They’d rather destroy it than see it survive----
Melissa, no to your comment. You can argue for socialized healthcare on many logical platforms, but to deem healthcare a "right" when it is a service is wrong. If it is truly an inalienable "right", under the constitution you wouldn't have to pay for it and this healthcare problem wouldn't be an issue. If someone takes the time out of his day to perform medical treatments after he acquired the necessary degree, he may want to be paid for his trouble; hence it's a service. You don't have a right to a Band-Aid, you still need to pay for it.
Ron, Ron, Ron. I agree with bringing troops home from overseas from all the far flung regions,sent there for reasons of which I am unaware, and I do not trust the wisdom of the military industrial and their myriad lobbyists and CIA foot soldiers, etc., and what critically thinking person would trust them, I may ask? I do think they killed Kennedy because he threatened their future plans and there is ample evidence to show that if one looks in the right places, such as the book, "JFK & the Unspeakable".
You and many other politicians and pundits and other citizens have seized upon the inept handling of government agencies, etc., thereby labeling government health care administration as risky, futile, etc. Nice try, but there is one little truth which refutes that concept. Our military is the best and most effective in the world, and if you judge effectiveness by killing people, we have killed millions and millions from World War I forward and no country I know of if going to attack the US in any conventional sense as it would be suicide, or death by cop (yes, we are the world police force). If I am not mistaken, the hard-working (usually) taxpayers provide all the military pay and weaponry 100%. Our representatives do not hesitate to give them everything they want. It is a matter of priorities any way you look at it. If you want the best health care in the world, we can have it. You want the best military, keep spending a trillion or so a year on that, often needlessly. They do not provide national defense; they provide national offense. So spare us the BS about government programs being inept. We are not as stupid as you may think. We may be ignorant at times, but we are not stupid. I like you, Ron Paul, but please do not insult our intelligence. You are smarter than that, I have no doubt.
Saying health care is not a right is like saying life is not a right. Next time Ron Paul is in need of a dcotor, lets see how much he thinks health care isnt a right.
I agree it isn't a right. Having a national healthcare system isn't the time bomb everyone claims it is either. We have a great system in England and we pay far less in national insurance than you guys pay in private insurance. I'd also say our bureaucrats are not concerned about stopping the public from receiving necessary treatment, unlike your bureaucrats that already exist within private insurance to keep the insurance industry profitable.
So while national insurance and national healthcare isn't a right, it is the decent thing to do in a civilised society. And it certainly isn't unaffordable. Just consider how many billions you'd save when no one needs to go to the ER for a head cold because they can now go to the doctor's office. That is just one example and there are plenty of others.
If I read it correctly, he'd like to cut government involvement and leave it between doctors and patients. I think the problem is in the middle of that are drug manufacturers and insurance companies. Those two entities are raising costs and passing them onto the consumers. How would removing government spending such as medicaid and medicare curtail those rising costs? Ultimately, I think his heart in the right place and nobody wants to see the sick go through so much trouble of getting medicine/treatment, but the solution is complex and therefore it's easy to attack.
BS"D
National Health Care is a right in the sense it's a RESPONSIBLITY WE HAVE TO ONE ANOTHER.
I believe that the web site http://www.pnhp.org/ has
the REAL ANSWERS. (Physicians for National Health Care)
As an Orthodox Jew I know that G-d created man in His image.
We are responsible to help one-another take care of the precious and complex body that He gave us as best we can.
By the way, dental implants, root canals and similar, are part of
BASIC HEALTH CARE, because unfortunate complications can arise if these problems are not taken care of properly.
bhoffinger@aol.com
Bruce A Thompson – health care is already a right, per the Hippocratic Oath. Health Insurance is not, nor should it ever be, unless you'd like to move to old-style communist Russia and share with all of the other unfortunates.
This country didn't rise to greatness on it's overly-generous social welfare programs, but despite of them. Expansion of them too far will certainly erode that progress.
"Progressive" democrats should be renamed "Anti-Progressives" for all of the Progress they are trying to DESTROY!
Whew! Please tell Mr. Rumbling to be quiet and stop trying to think because he always get it wrong. Just be QUIET RON (RUMBLING) PAUL!!!!! You never make sense!!!!!
The members of Congress, as well as everyone else who has private insurance in this country, chose to work for an employer who offers insurance. They probably went to college or learned a trade so that they could have a job with decent pay and insurance. They worked for it...they were not entitled to it. The only entitlements we have in this country are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Why should we pay for all of the uneducated people who are too lazy to better themselves? If nothing else, join the military and get Tricare...there, that's an option.
I think his comments about " government programs that everybody is unhappy about", referring to medicare, VA healthcare, and medicaid, is quite a generalization to put it mildly. There are no shortage of people unhappy with their HMO's and their low-cap private policies.
How can "government management of the health system" be at fault for rising costs when the government doesn't manage very much of the system today, and even when they do they are stupidly prevented from using their buying power to negotiate lower prices from providers- a la the medicare drug plan?
the analogy about not using your car insurance to pay for gas and repairs is of course valid, but I don't think most of the waste in the health care system is due to check-ups.
Ron Paul is a nut. His ideas are very bad for people everywhere. Health care is essential for life. The Constitution guarantees the right to life which means it guarantees the right to health care.
I'm so tired of the nuts in this country. They'd rather destroy it than see it survive.
Why should those who have a good job with health care benefits be punished in order to provide lack luster coverage for all? I put myself through college to ensure I would have a good career. My blood, sweat and tears (and lack of sleep) went into four years to be able to provide for myself. Now I'm faced with student loan debt, but I know that despite economic times I'll be able to find/keep a job to support myself. CNN did a poll asking who has health care benefits from their employer: So far 90% have answered they do. I'd say that's a vast majority so why should that 90% have to pay for the other 10%? It's just not fair and I definitely do not support it.
Brilliant idea Cameron. This is not a question of dollars and cents, it's a matter of our humanity. Health and life are not stereotypical goods and services and cannot be treated as such. Let's face it, if someone is uninsured, but requires medical treatment, they will find a way to get it. When facing a survival threat, no one cares if their uncovered expenses will be passed along to the taxpayer, so we might as well create a system meant to deal with this situation that is currently happening in crowded ERs all over the nation.
Everyone is entitled to healthcare. Period. How we get there is open for discussion but to suggest healthcare is not a basic human right is absurd. We live in the most developed country in the world and the fact that healthcare is not available to all is a disgrace.
Thank you CNN, for interviewing Congressman Paul about health care, and thank you, Dr. Paul, for more of your common sense. We applaud you.
Health care should be a Right just like education.
Perhaps a way to get Congress to act both quickly and responsibly is to take away whatever health coverage they currently receive. They do get coverage under their employer, correct? Either federal or state governments? Maybe we give them 3 months of a heads-up so that they can try to find their own health coverage outside of their employer.
I don't believe that they truly understand the urgency of this issue. We will then let them determine health care legislation that will apply to them and the rest of Americans. They should have to live with the consequences of inaction or the consequences of providing insufficient health coverage just as the rest of us must do.
Let some of them face insurance companies given their pre-existing conditions. This is not an extraordinarily young, healthy bunch. And let some of them face the prospect of not being able to cover their families, their children.
Perhaps this needs to get very personal before they finally act.
The lone voice of reason in DC speaks again. 2012!
I agree with Ron Paul 100%!! Keep up the good work Ron Paul! It is the official like you that we now have in office, that I hold faith in! Please continue to do everything that you can do to stop them and hold them close at bay! The govt. run healthcare is outrageous and I am thrilled to see that intellegent parties will fight to stop it!