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.
About this Show
Welcome to the American Morning blog where you can get daily news updates from American Morning's reporters and producers. Join us for "the most news in the morning," weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET, only on CNN.
On Twitter
Marc: What you claim to have been a quote of mine is certainly not...check your facts and don't put other people's words in my mouth...thanks.
No one wants to see anyone suffer, Democrats, Republican, Libertarians, Green party, etc ....
Health care reform has many parts.
1. Payment to Health Treatment Providers and pharmaceuticals. (48 million Americans)
a. how to address people that can afford it but do not opt to become insured
b. preexisting conditions.
c. folks that do not have the means.
2. Cost containment
a. life style changes
b. standardize electronic records
c. reduce CYA tests to defend against malpractice suits.
d. outsource testing to testing centers. Cost of new technology for limited use increase costs.
3. Access to all Americans from the bush to inner city including all conditions
4. Malpractice reform to reduce insurance premiums to doctors and reduce malpractice punitive payouts to patients.
Unless all of these four items are addressed then this will fail and we the tax payer will be paying more and more regardless who is paying claims.
One of the greatest savings to the health treatment system is to keep people out of it. My wife is also a type 1 diabetic. She has an interesting situation, she works for an insurance company doing IT systems. They have been preparing for electronic records and how to act of these records to provide outreach and reduce costs. Outreach includes helping folks, based on new claims, take proper care of themselves. The interesting issue with this is that people want to be cured and do not want to change their lifestyle. In her case with Type 1, strict diet and 1 hour of vigorous exercise every day is her best prescription for keeping A1C low. <7. However she is an anomaly. Her biggest cost is Strips because she tests 12-15 times a day. Her plan is a high deductible heath plan. $1900 deductible. 10% copay after that up to $4000 max out of pocket. This is a cheaper option than the PPO or HMO options after CoPays.
I have a coworker that despises the outreach calls that suggest that he needs to make life changes to exercise more and eat a better diet. He hangs up on the folks that are reaching out to help him control his Type 1 condition.
Just say NO to any government run healthcare program!! We need to fix the problem but the government is not the way to go. This is just a big power grib and will end up bad!
By the way....of the 45 million non insured that Obama is so concerned about....why did not one of the press ask him about the 20 million illegal aliens that are included in this. Why don't they ask specific yes or no questions? The questions were weak and left Obama too much wiggle worm.....he just then would spin rhetoric for the hour.
This was a waste of time....cost CNN a bundle...no more talk from the President until we have a final draft and he has actually read it.....and allowed America the time to read it.....then we need public debate.
All these opponents of government run Healthcare do not have any better alternative plans ( Especially these Republican Politicians who are sitting pretty with Government run Healthcare covering them). These politicians should put their money where their mouth is. They should give up their government run medical insurance & go and buy from these Greedy Private Insurance companies. They are just such Hypocrites that they want great insurance for themselves BUT not the public who they are suppose to serve. IT IS A SHAMEFUL THING THAT IN THIS GREAT NATION, PEOPLE ARE GOING HUNGRY TO PAY FOR THEIR MEDICAL CARE. We need some government invlovement to STOP These greedy Insurance companies, Doctors & Lawers. All these 3 groups have to be blamed for this mess. Doctors need their Million Dollar salaries to pay for their Golf games & lavish living. Everyone needs to give up something to pay for these uninsured people. We all have to sacrifice some to make this happen. YOU CANNOT DEPEND ON THESE PROFIT MAKING GREEDY INSURANCE COMPANIES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.....& THIS IS A PROBLEM.
Bless you Ron Paul......a man of common sense.....among socialists.
For those fools who think healthcare should be free....wake up and smell the roses.....you pay for insurance for your homes, cars, motorcycles, boats....etc....why would you believe the rhetoric from non medical democratic representatives...who didn't fix the economy with all the Pork bills....that has been a miserable failure.
Americans want it done right....not in two weeks....that's obscene. We want the final draft scrutinized with a magnifying glass....publicly debated in front of America....not with medical lobbyist invited to the white house.
Here's a testimony for anyone who does not believe the president when he speaks of the urgency of passing the HEALTHCARE REFORM BILL!!!!!! IN 1999 I PURCHASED A HEALTHCARE POLICY FROM BLUECROSS FOR $120.00 MO. AND BY 2006 THAT SAME POLICY COST ME $464.00. Needless to say I had to cancel the policy
because I was and still am a nursing student and because a part of my nursing program require that I spend a certain amount of hour in a hospital I had to have healthcare coverage, so the boy at Blue were gracious enough to provide me with a Tempo (temporary) policy for about $500 for 6 month with a $2500 deductable for emergency care and all office visit were out of pocket, yes I said it correct $2500 deductable!!!!!!!
Also, I have two friends that had to file bankruptcy as a result of not having healthcare coverage and job loss.
I'm sure there are countless other who have their own story, So I say wake up republican and conservertive democrate, because If you DON'T IMAGINE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT COULD POSIBLY HAVE BIRD FLU, VRE, MRSA, C-DIFF AND NO HEALTHCARE COVERAGE!!!!!
What I do not understand is why health treatment providers do not have to buy un/under insured insurance. You and I as automobile drivers must have un/under insured insurance. If you are in an accident and the other driver doesn't have insurance, then you are covered up to the amount stated in the policy.
If health treatment providers had the same insurance then others without insurance would be claimed against this policy. Then the insurance company would have to deal with arbitraging the claim. Come of this may be working with the patient to get insurance if they have the means. If not then they would work with public and social sector agencies that are slated to provide for the folks with lesser means.
This seems like it would be an easier bill to pass and it would provide coverage for all. Health treatment providers would be paying more and this would be passed on to the customer.
This would allow for a bottomless pit of a public option. This option could be a group plan that the local state shops every 3 years.
I'm a type 1 diabetic, and for a ton of private insurance companies I'm uninsurable. When I turn 24, and I can no longer use my parent's insurance, I'm either go be stuck waiting for a year, or going with no insurance and using the free clinics around here. Health care for all will benefit everyone. We are the ONLY industrial country not to have some type of public health care system. Why is that?
Great Debate here! I am glad for the perspective each side brings to this important issue, because I realize my own perspective is limited.
I have great sympathy for the truly destitute, poor, and victims in society, and will gladly help those who I know are in this situation. However, this has nothing to do with my basic belief that health care is NOT a RIGHT, but a privilege and responsibility to be worked for.
The vast majority of us have chosen our economic situation. Only a small percentage of our society are truly destitute, victims, crippled, etc... and for those we have great sympathy. So I don't think it is fair to label the "tough love" talkers as being heartless. On the contrary, those who have worked hard for what they have are usually very willing and able to help the less fortunate. It is just that we don't believe that the government option is the best way for reform.
I personally think that any reform needs to give more power to we the people rather than the government. This could be in the form of health savings accounts, health tax deductions, and maybe deductions when we donate to other's health costs. I see no way that adding the whole government bureaucracy to health care can lower costs and improve care.
Next, to those who compare other countries who pay less for their care: First of all, I have heard many good and bad stories about the care in other countries, but it's the bad stories that concern me the most. The good stories are basically equal to the good stories of our health care in the USA. But the bad stories are far worse than our bad stories! The bad stories usually have to do with lack of care available, waiting times, rationing of care, and decisions of government over what they will and will not cover, end of life care, etc... Also, I am hearing that in Canada, more and more private clinics/hospitals are opening to meet these needs not being met by their socialized care! I just see government care as inevitably leading to: poor care for most; private care for the wealthy.
Lastly, (and I welcome other views) I think that the USA indirectly subsidizes much of the socialism of other countries. Many other countries do not spend much on their military as we do, and they probably assume that if war came to their county, the USA would be there to bail them out. So that means, instead of spending on their own military, they can spend it on their socialized way of life. I am not boasting about the USA, but I do wonder what all the countries would be without us. I think much of the good in this world has been directly or indirectly affected by what freedom in the USA has produced over the last 200+ years, and I fear for what the world will become when the USA becomes another socialized country like much of the rest of the world. And by the way, I have heard people from other countries say this same sort of thing, so take it like its meant.
Just my 2 cents!
I like Ron Paul on most issues, but here he's completely wrong. Where he has sounded so smart in the past, here he starts sounding like a spokesperson for the medical/pharma companies. What happened Ron?
The US has fallen into this current hole because of greed, which lacks long-term planning. It's about getting what "you" can right now! And in order for us to get out of this hole, we must think long-term; short-term fixes are failure.
Healthcare is a basic right - and healthcare is not a medical savings account or tax write-offs. The truth is that even though setting up a federally funded healthcare system would cost a lot in the short-term, it will ultimately save massive amounts of lives and money in the long-term. It is the only sensible move we can make.
Ron Paul talks about all the people who are "currently happy with their healthcare." Well, I saw this exact terminology on Bill Moyer's Journal a week ago as a "talking point" fed to the Republican party by big Pharma lobbyists. Having been in research, I can assure you this statement is built on false stats. People are losing their coverage - or the amount of their coverage - daily in alarming numbers. Even the few who are "happy" with their coverage won't be happy much longer - when the deductibles change, or their employer asks for them to contribute more, or medical insurance becomes too expensive to offer.
It's time to provide healthcare for all.
I feel that what is happening here is that the politicos and fanatics are losing sight of what is truly important; the safety of the American People. No one should be denied the right to be protected from criminals, terrorists, or even viruses and bacteria. Why do people take exception when the least dangerous of threats receive more funding and attention then the real killers- sickness and disease?
Tommy Douglas was recently voted the Greatest Canadian in History. He was responsible for the implementation of universal, accessible, and portable health care in his home province of Saskatchewan whichwas subsequently adopted by the Canadian government once they could see how well it worked and how greatly the health of Saskatchewanians benefited. If you have not read 'The Green Book' – the original basis for the current Medicare system in Canada, then you do not have the credibility to make rational comments on this topic.
Please, stop thinking about yourselves and start thinking about the millions of uninsured sick Americans out there; no matter what it costs, you cannot place a price on a human life. There is no valid argument in existence that can support private health care as a viable alternative for the health of the people.
Best Regards,
Dr. Ryan Kyliuk, MD
Ron Paul sounds so reasonable and down-to-earth – too bad he has his facts wrong. The reform bill in Congress does NOT take people out of private coverage they are happy with. It provides a public option to compete with private options, but people can choose to stay with what they have. And the private health insurance industry has been an utter failure at keeping costs down – if it was so great, we wouldn't be having this debate in the first place. You're a smart man, Mr. Paul, you just need to catch up with the times.
Mr. Ron Paul. I am amazed with the comments you have made in regards to the health care for the US citizens. You as a political employee have the best health care coverage in the world provided by the tax payers of this country some of which do not have health care coverage. So as I understand it, you have a right to health care coverage paid by the tax payer, but the tax payer does not have the right to have health care coverage? You are even covered with health care supplements and perks even after you leave office-for life. So!, political leaders have a socialist style benefits, but their citizens can only have coverage if they can afford it, even after paying taxes to cover you. Shame on you, and our political leaders who think like you.
You libs on the left are clueless!
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
You have the right to pursue medical care and pay for it!
What’s next? We have the right to food, housing, legal services, college etc.
The GVT has poorly run VA medicine, bankrupted Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare. When are people going to wake up and realize we are bankrupt!
....How can these, so called pro-lifers. be aganist, health care. If you pro-lifers. take issue with abortion.....save the unborn at all cost.. And now that, that child is here. You take issue, making sure, the child has health care......You pro-lifers are a bunch of hypocrits in the first order..............................................
I am 30, self-employed and make a pretty good salary, but my health care costs are killing me! I am forced to pay for a private insurance plan that is expensive and denies me coverage for what they arbitrarily designate "pre-existing conditions". How many Americans have been left to die/ been murdered by corporate insurance companies? If this society can't come up with a better idea to provide me the health and security that is my right then I will do everything in my power to unmake it, and if that means raising your taxes, then to hell with you all.
It's amazing how even such respected person as Ron Paul can twist words to support his hatred of anything that includes word government:
"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." How many times Barak Obama has to repeat: if you are happy with your insurance, KEEP IT. And how Mr. Paul know that "everybody is unhappy" with suggested plan? As far as I understand, there was no details worked out yet, nothing was tried even as a test, etc. How can you say everybody in unhappy with the plan, when the main problem is the way to pay for it.
Also, I believe all politicians and their supporters protesting the health care reform NEVER LIVED WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE, and simply don't understand how it feels to be unable to go to the doctor, have test to ease your mind instead of praying that it's somehow go away. To be told there are wonderful new drugs, but their cost is absolutely our of reach, etc.
And to reply to the article title: HEALTH CARD IS A RIGHT!!!
Same as every child has a right to basic public education (and if you have money and desire, you can send your children to private school), every citizen of this country HAS A RIGHT TO BASIC HEALTH CARE. One thing is difficult to understand: if public option is so bad, why private insurance won't be able to compete? Doesn't make much sense to me.
Then why do we have to pay for police protection on businesses or fire departments for fire protection. Why not have police that are for profit etc. Is it a right to have police protection but not have health protection. Why is it the govt. requires us to have some kind of car insurance and thats fine with the right ,smart policy, but not have some kind of required health insurance. Protect the car from harm but not the people from health problems. And Pro-lifers are a joke. They protect the life of a fetus the size of a pin head but yell when they have to provide insurance for the baby that is born that they so want to protect. Hypocrites are what they are. We can kill convicted criminals, even those that have been found not to be guilty, but then use the bible as a backdrop of their moral highground.
Obama and the Dems could come up with a plan that would cover everyone and save billions of dollars and 99 pct. of the people would support but the GOP would turn it down since that 1pct would yell about it.
It's amazing how even such respected person as Ron Paul can twist words to support his hatred of anything that includes word government:
"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." How many times Barak Obama has to repeat: if you are happy with your insurance, KEEP IT. And how Mr. Paul know that "everybody is unhappy" with suggested plan? As far as I understand, there was no details worked out yet, nothing was tried even as a test, etc. How can you say everybody in unhappy with the plan, when the main problem is the way to pay for it.
Also, I believe all politicians and their supporters protesting the health care reform NEVER LIVED WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE, and simply don't understand how it feels to be unable to go to the doctor, have test to ease your mind instead of praying that it's somehow go away. To be told there are wonderful new drugs, but their cost is absolutely our of reach, etc.
Ron Paul is just another nutjob. His solution to the healthcare crisis is to bring the troops home. WTF?! Apparently Paul forgets there has been no real reforms since 1912 and when we weren't fighting in any wars. A govt. option won't be forced on anyone who likes their current plan. That's why its an OPTION, like members of congress get. The wingnuts on the right just spew their talking points about govt. takeovers. I haven't heard any new ideas from these same wingnuts, just more of the same. When the wingnuts had control of the white house and congress, what did they do to fix healthcare? There's a reason the party of "no" keeps losing election after election.
Among the very poor Indian tribes in America there is a crisis in health care and let me be very clear about that. Diabetes, Type 2, is epidemic. The infant mortality rate is staggering. The average life expectancy is lower on Indian reservations than in any other area of America. On many reservations from the Navajo Nation to the Pine Ridge Reservation, deaths by cancer are starting to reach epidemic proportions. Death by heart disease has never been higher and it is still climbing.
And we were considered wards of the United States government? I think we were better off when we were considered the enemies because we at least had the opportunity of taking care of our own health problems. The benevolent eye of big brother looking over our shoulders has been more of a curse than a blessing.
The hardworking doctors and nurses of the Indian Health Service are not to blame. They can do only so much with the money they are allocated each year. And it seems that every year senators like Tim Johnson and Congress women like Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) have to fight tooth and nail to squeeze out every single dollar. And oftentimes it is a losing battle for them, but the real losers are the Indian people. Earmarks? Why not?
Response to Mr .Carnegie: Like most americans you think on such a small scale. If you understood anything about business at all the cost of health care is the one reason big business has used for shipping our jobs to China,India and a host of other countries. I said they cannot afford to keep up with the cost of health care. Believe me I understand the whole situation of where the Chinese pay their people peanuts to work 8 hours a day.That goes back to the same republicans who is fighting against health care also.
Do you think they will get the opportunity to read this bill before it is shoved down our throats!!!!
Wow, Kara is a real prize! Here is an excerpt from her post:
"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."
Here is what is wrong with that statement. No one when they are getting an education or as this poster states "betters themselves" actually considers getting into a job or industry that provides healthcare, that is just an added benefit. What these folks fail to realize is children of "uneducated" people don't have the option, they're friggen kids!
Note a lot of the posts of the detractors make negative connotations about people who are "uneducated". In essence they judge these people. Let me ask you this, if every American had equal education who would clean the toilets, fix the cars, build the homes (laborers), serve the food, etc. It's convenient when you are part of that in-crowd to not give a sh** for anyone else.
I hope Kara develops a health issue and has to switch insurance carriers, when her pre-existing condition gives her problems getting insured I am positive she would do a complete 180 on her position. What's more disgusting is these patriots who think America is the best bar none doesn't believe that as Americans we can do more for our fellow countrymen.
If you want to take a look at the US government getting involved in health care take a look at the Indian reservations around the county..their idea of health care coverage is handing out aspirin..
Totally incoherent. He goes on at length about inflation, government waste/spending etc. Then at the end he proposes cutting back on spending which will generate the "freedom", and ostensibly the wealth in order to – redistribute it for health care i.e. quote: "so we can finance it". Who would do the redistribution? The government of course.
How can Americans possibly expect to get an objective and realistic approach to health care reform when the politicians who are ultimately making the decisions about this vital issue have had their pockets lined for decades by the industries they are asking to change?
It's all about the money folks and that is the only thing. If it means taking some money out of the pockets of the pharmaceutical industry, insurance companies and even the doctors for the betterment of all, they want NO part of it. For them, the status quo is just fine and the politicians they bribe are making sure of it.
What Ron Paul said is a complete lie. Obama said as plain as day...IF YOU LIKE YOUR INSURANCE YOU CAN KEEP IT. He's not forcing anyone to use the government insurance.
Freedom means freedom to fail, freedom to succeed, freedom to starve and freedom to prosper. Freedom does not always ensure that you wind up on top. Sometimes you land at the bottom. But the hope that freedom provides is that the government will not be sitting on top of you to hold you down. Medical procedures cost money. Big surprise.
If you want the best care, it costs more money. If you want to see a doctor whenever you need one, that costs money. If you want to cover people regardless of preexisting conditions, premiums will go up to cover the extra costs to the insurance companies. And to say the government will be more efficient at spending money on health care than the private sector is wishful thinking at it's worst. When has the government been more efficient at anything? People should stop thinking about how a new health care system will function when managed correctly and start thinking about the damage done when managed poorly. There will be many administrations to come, and you have to ask yourself if this is the kind of power you want to give to future adminstrations, let alone the current one.
Kara, please.
I attended 4 years of college AND i'm still in school getting my PhD. And, I think everyone should have health coverage. Granted that's a blanket statement, but I'm simply pointing out that you could find people from all backgrounds (college, professional, blue-collar, etc) that have differing viewpoints on just about anything. Please don't whine to me about paying back your 4 year college loans (kind of sound like the whiners for universal health coverage, huh?) when I will have 10 years under my belt AND I still feel people should have health coverage. In fact, where are you getting those loans from Kara? Stafford loans from the *gasp* government! If you're really against universal health coverage, then you should not have ever taken out loans from the gov't. After all, higher education is not a right, but a privelege, right? If you got fellowships, congrats, but I'm guessing some of those loans (if not all) were from the gov't.
And, if 90% of people do indeed have ADEQUATE health coverage, then really, how much "punishment" will us hard-working folks have to provide in order to cover the other 10%? I'm willing to take a small hit in my taxes (keeping in mind my loans I'll have to pay back) in order to provide for this 10% you speak of, and I wouldn't consider it "punishment" but rather a contribution to society (call it patriotic if you must cuz people of your ilk tend to love that word even though you don't typically know what it means).
As a physician I could not disagree more with Dr. Paul. medical savings accounts for example provide no control for the patient. I've tried one and it was just one more way health insurance companies maintain their grasp on choice. Medical savings accounts are a failure. Government sponsored health plans like medicare and Tricare provide more choice, are more cost effective, and pay physicians better than private plans. Mr. Obama has it right! Ask yourself, when has a republican political establishment done anything to help the common American?
They oppose aborting a fetus but care less whether a living uninsured child dies from disease and poverty? Please help me understand what sense this pro-life movement makes!
If you can't afford healthcare, that's your bad. Get a job and get some freaking healthcare. It's survival of the fittest out there. If you are young, old, a minority, a veteran, or have preexisting conditions and you need healthcare well too bad for you. We live in a capatalist society. If you make money then you can have healthcare. I totally agree with Ron. Not everyone deserves healthcare....
One thing people forget is the 43 million without insurance contribute very directly to healthcare costs. When you can't afford to buy insurance, you don't go to the doctor for routine visits, you don't take care of health problems and the health problems only get worse and treatment more expensive and costly. Most will go through ER to recieve treatment out of desperation because that's the only place they don't get turned back. try going to a doctor or hospital and say I don't have insurance. What do you think they will do?
having basic healthcare is preventitive. it costs less. It will prevent many escalating to more serious conditions and thus costing more to treat, etc.
part of this bill should include some money to educate, outreach and help do preventive medicine as opposed to getting sick to a point where expensive long term options are the only way.
According to the UN and the US Constitution, is seems it is a right. (General welfare of the people anyone?). I love a good libertarian, expect that the only liberty they want is their own it seems.
Who is ignorant enough to believe that we are not paying for the uninsured today? Do you think if your uninsured relative was having a heart attack you would expect them to die because they are uninsured??? BE REAL!!! The reality is we're paying for the uninsured thru sky rocketing premiums. And who can kid themselves that the costs will not get worse in the future. Mine have tripled in the past few years - and I work for a relatively great employer! Offering insurance for uninsureds can only improve the whole healthcare system and costs.
Claims that govt will get in the way of getting quality healthcare are laughable. So the insurance companies (eg HMOs, etc) aren't already doing this? They already stand in the way of patients and their doctors. My doctor has even used more generic diagnosis because the insurance company either refuse to authorize needed treatments, drop patients and lable you with pre-existing conditions. So much for trying to reduce stress and stay alive!
Mr. Paul and a lot of responders here seem to not know your Constitution. One of the duties of the federal government is to protect life. The 14th amendment does not predicate this duty on income. Mr. Paul is naive, the health care industry in this country is not based on competition or free enterprise. And company built on competition lowers its prices if fewer people can afford it. That's a market. With health insurance, fewer people can afford it because the companies are trying to only insure people who don't actually need care. Mr. Paul and his Republican compatriots need to give us a plan that fulfills the 14th amendment. Right now, the so called party of life is saying that money is more important than life.
its too bad rons not the prez
i get a rise every time i hear the conservatives talk about what Americans should expect. Oh please, lets not help insure any Americans with medical coverage, but lets go spend billions bombing and then rebuilding and saving all the Iraqis....they deserve it much more. Lets pay for the all illegals medical while they live here and don't pay any taxes. Why help any brothers or sisters when we can go help the rest of the world...unbelievable and not very patriotic repubs!
@Russ - Where does the claims processing come from with Medicaid? What is the 7% overhead that I hear about? If there is a public option, will my doctor have to accept it or can they only accept one insurance carrier?
Ana: Your statement that there are 46 million homeless in America is absurd...it's not even close to that number. I didn't lose my compassion while working my butt off but I definitely gained a sense of pride in my accomplishments. Now those accomplishments are being jeopardized because I'm expected to help others who didn't do the same? I don't think so! I grew up below the poverty line (single mother) and I did something about it. I'm sick and tired of footing the bill for people who feel they're obligated to the things I work for. If our government should be regulating insurance and pharmaceutical companies (like you suggest) then why stop there? Why not have our government regulate ALL companies? In fact, why not have our government start regulating religion again? Then you'll have to start ending your posts with "WWGD=What Would Government Do"
Kara, I understand what you are saying. I am by no means advocating any system as being perfect. I am merely making it clear that our thoughts that there isn't "enough to go around" are not our own original thoughts. You and I both know that letting the companies continue on this path is more dangerous over the long haul than rethinking how we do things. The truth is, its one thing to complain about long lines, its an entirely differant situation when you watching families go bankrupt. The question once again is.... which is the lesser of two evils. I would gladly deal with long lines if I knew I was going to be taken care of if I one day had to deal with many misfortunes.
Of course....defending the unborn and then insisting that they get a job when they are able bodied is HYPOCRISY!!!
How dare someone not be provided everything by the government at the expense of the "evil rich people" in this country who already pay about 75% of the taxes.
To those people claiming healthcare is a right:
You have been poorly educated as to the meaning of words. What you mean to say is either "privilege" or "entitlement". A right – by its very nature – cannot require in its undertaking the infringement of the rights of others. If I have a right to healthcare I make a slave of a doctor or nurse. I could demand the medicinal products of companies to treat me thus enslaving the workers at the facility, the providers of the base materials, and the scientists in order to develop better treatments.
This is absurd.
Ron Paul should have his liscence to practice medicine revoked for violating his Hippocratic Oath.
I wouldn't put it past this guy to demand proof of insurance from a choking victim before giving the Heimlich.
He's right. But then that was when we were a republic democracy.
This doctor from Texas is not an economist and his talk about cost of health care system, which is in reality a health care business, should not be taken seriously.
What he concerns about is his pocket. He is afraid that government will curb doctor' appetite for big bucks and force them to live as most professionals do on average income $100,000 per year.
He says that people with private insurance are not that unhappy. It is a big lie. Everybody who is forced by circumstances to buy private insurance, have big co-payments and pay high premiums. Not to say if the individuum needs costly tests or surgery, or both. That is how bankrupcies appear. And not to say about pre-existing conditions, this famous question always accompanied private insurance purchase.
Have him go to the agent and try to buy insurance for himself. Most likely he is about 60 years old and has high blood pressure, or he suffered from migrene 30 years ago. Let him tell how much will his insurance cost if he would be lucky to find a company which is ready to sell policy with pre-existing condition. It will definitly cost over $1,500 a month with very high deductable.
There should be no debate about health care reform necessity. Economists and politicians shall find the most cost efficient solutions, but it is moral obligation of civilized society and human wrights prerogative to provide affordable and efficient health care system for all legal residents of the country.
Every "right" is defined by human and agreed upon and kept by the society. Health Care is not a "right" now, it doesn't mean it will not be a "right" for the future.
"I love people who say health care is “our right.” Are you kidding me! We as humans need food to survive. So I guess our groceries should be free too."
....well said, this growing sense of entitlement is amazing.
It would be nice if people would stop referring to it as 'free healthcare' too. Its absolutely not going to be free, anymore than welfare and foodstamps are 'free'.
It seems like the Republican Party can never get their footing right...today they are for Pro-Life but then on the other hand they against providing healthcare for living human being.
Is it ironic to line up at family planning buildings and have a poster reading..do not abort the fetus...we will help? If this is not hypocrisy at best then I want to know how you reconcile Pro-Life vs. no healthcare for everyone.
Doug...pro health: not all Canadians feel the way they do. I know a guy from Canada who told me his friend super glued a deep cut in his hand back together because that was more favorable than going and sitting at a medical center for hours to get medical attention.
Businesses can't compete globally because they don't provide healthcare? Are you drunk? If you make them pay for healthcare that is somehow going to improve the situation? Business can't compete because the Chinese can pay people $1.00 to work 8 hours a day. Adding more to their expenses is going to improve that how? Kevin Polite, post up your address so I can send you $.25 to buy yourself a clue.
John,
Health care is a right . . . hmmm . . . and then quote this bible verse
If you see someone in need and do not help, how can the love of God be in you?” (I John 3:17)
Well, what you are missing, is that God expects that you willingly give of your self to help others. Force taxation is not willingly giving of yourself. As always, it is easy to be compassionate with other peoples money.
Exodus 20:15
Thou shall not steal
I would like to address this to Kara. The one who busted her butt to get where she is today. Through your butt busting you must have knocked out your compassion for humanity. I've been employed in the same company for 25 years by my Lords grace. I too am in the 90% who polled yes to having health insurance. But that does not take away the fact that the greatest of all nations has 46 miliion without any coverage and walking the streets homeless. I am not homeless, I have food and health coverage so does that mean I am to turn my back on my fellow americans that don't. Our government has thrown the weight of this country on the middle class and we need to speak up for those that have no voice, the poor, and the hungry. Insurance Comp. and Pharmaceutical Labs HAVE to be regulated. We don't have anymore time to sit back and watch our fellow brothers and sisters suffer in the worlds GREATEST NATION.
WWJD
It's unfortunate that our media seem to fail to press politicians on their assertions. Why is it that Ron Paul can say Americans with private insurance are happy without being asked to address the Gallup poll that finds only 56% of Americans like their health insurance? Why is he never asked to reconcile his claim that costs MUST go up with a government system, even though countries with government run health care spend half as much as we do and live longer lives, or why private insurance has an overhead of 30% while Medicaid is only 7%? Why is he not asked to explain how government management of health care has caused the increase in costs when private insurers are making outrageous profits by using your insurance premiums to pay investigators to dig into your past to find anything they can label a pre-existing condition, so they can kick you off their plan? Why is he allowed to decry the lack of respect for the doctor/patient relationship but never asked why he supports private insurers who routinely refuse to cover procedures ordered by your doctor?
Health insurance as a for-profit industry necessitates getting healthy people to pay premiums while avoiding paying out to cover the sick and injured. This is accomplished by limiting the amount of care offered, refusing to cover anything they're able to (with the hopes you will die or switch insurance before you can appeal enough times to get covered), and limiting your choice of doctors and medications (their prescription formulary).
How can any person with any empathy, wich any kind of heart, think that Ron Paul is right? What have we become as Americans? Are we a nation of heartless, blood thirsty, animals totally devoid of feeling?
It's really scary that this man has such a large following.
Inflation? Health care costs rise at the double the rate of inflation. This has nothing to do with monetary policy. The real costs to healthcare are rising at very high rates. You can't pin everything on inflation
Health care is the most pressing issue facing this country. It is crippling every aspect of our daily lives and for the republicans to make this an issue of partisan politics boggles the mind. Every person deserves the right to have some type of health care. The cost of health care is outrageous everyone knows that. But without fixing the current system our economy will never recover. Businesses can't afford to offer health care to their employee's and will never be able to compete globally if this problem isn't fixed. We can no longer bow down to lobbyists who are getting rich promoting the wrong side of what is right for the majority of this country.
If you want health insurance then get to work and buy it for yourself. The sense of entitlement from some of you clowns is absurd.
While I have great respect for Rep Ron Paul, I have to disagree on this issue. I do believe basic health care should be the right of every US citizen. And I also have come to believe our Federal government is the only entity that can guarantee it. As a registered Independent voter who supported our current President Obama, I am pulling for his victory on this issue.
I suppose if I were a doctor and I did not want to participate in a goverrnment plan as a provider I could just go flip burgers. Of course then I wouldn't be able to afford insurance.
I love people who say health care is "our right." Are you kidding me! We as humans need food to survive. So I guess our groceries should be free too.
I believe health care is a right! I believe one shouldn't go into debt or be hassled by creditors for unpaid 1,000s and 10,000s of dollars of medical bills one could have never afford to begin with. I think people avoid getting health care because of that. And if they do find places that will bill them instead of charge up front, then well, they get poor health care. So, don't give me that health care coverage is not a right! It is a right for those less fortunate and/or elderly. Do you know how many people are unable to contribute to society by working because they have medical/mental health issues they cannot afford to care for? I know plenty! If they had their health issues under control, you might be surprised what hardworkers they really are under all those problems. IMO, with equal quality of healthcare available to all citizens here, it will save our country money in the end and help the economy.
So many greedy selfish, ungiving people in this country!
Ron is Right
What ever happened to the thinking that if you want something you worked hard toward getting/achieving it? Hand outs do not drive/inspire people to better themselves. Why should people work to better themselves if they will be handed everything?
Free health care, free housing, free is an idea that is nice to have in a world where money has no value. That is not this world. Everything has a cost (some things are price less).
Unless you can get this entire world to agree on everything and stop trying to one up each other, these 'free' programs will cost us a very high price. The only question is if that cost will be just higher taxes or more valuable things. Something will have to give to cover the cost of this health care system.
whether people want to acknowledge that health care is a right or not, the bottom line is that it is. when people who need health care don't have insurance they go to the emergency room for care, often for things as benign as the flu. the cost of treating someone in the ER for the flu can be thousands of dollars compare this to a visit to a primary care physician at about $75. we are paying already for everyone to get the health care they need, we are just paying for it to be done in the most costly way possible. implying that those without insurance do not have access to health care is wrong, often they have more access, and much more costly care than those with private insurance. providing primary and preventative care will in the long term reduce the cost of heatlh premiums for everyone.
@Harriet, are you insane? A right should give you the freedom of opportunity to do something, not the reality of it. For instance, one of the "inalienable rights" is the pursuit of happiness, but the government shouldn't set up singles pages!
Happy with our private insurance?? I can't get the tests I need because some remote doctor doesn't think its necessary. I can't get preventative medicine because the private insurers don't want to pay for it even though in the long run it saves money. You have to be critically ill to get treatment.....You have cancer and are now cancer free but you can't get coverage.....
Current system working...I don't think so.
His answer to the last question, ... " Texas is one of the states with the most children and uninsured people in the country" was mumble speak he said "I would do what Obama is doing" and cut deeper in other areas to pay for it. "until we realize that Freedom is a better way to go" bla bla bla... he should be a politician.
Oh wait, he is, just more gibberish
Way to go RP! Always right on.
Ron Paul > God
"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."
So letting the Taliban win would make us healthier? And people call this guy the voice of reason and common sense? I think not!
The honorable Ron Paul articulates positions on both health care and general economics that the past 25 years of American experience have discredited and discarded downstream. First, the moral witness of our most prominent religious traditions in this country have always been that any/every person has an inalienable RIGHT to receive medical care as/when needed. Furthermore, those same moral underpinnings make clear that profiting from another's need for medical treatment is inherently immoral. Finally, the entire basis of Ron Paul's attempts at "pragmatism" is little more than the tired old oligarchy perspective of social darwinism. It is morally bankrupt.
I feel the need to thank the Canadians (Maer and Andrew) for pulling this propaganda curtain from the front of these American eyes. You can only be self rightous when you have tunnel vision and ignore the facts puposefully placed in your peripheral. Once again, we are and should be humbled by your input. There is no need for the rest of you to attach your egos to your patriotism. They get in each others way. Whats best for us is not what's best for the rich. So why are you blindly defending the rich. Ironic isnt it?
Why, oh why do these elected representatives have the very best of everything, yet preach their different views about the citizen who is suffering? Are they special in some way, these politicians with their incredibly inflated salaries and more perks than they deserve? All should be stripped of their lavish lifestyles, and made to live on minimum wage for 5 years before they seek office. Including you, Ron.
It must be nice to be rich and not have to worry about going bankrupt for getting sick. Majority of people are for a socialized military and a socialized education system. It's okay to bailout multimillionaires when they go broke, and people grieve over a pop star's tragedy. But when the conversation turns to providing medical services to a low wage earning common American, there is outrage. This whole health care debate is a class debate. With those who believe the rich deserve everything and the poor deserve nothing, are in control. What rich person's wealth has not been prompt up with some form of socialism (TARP) this year? Their is an unbased fear that the urban and rural poor are out to get the middle class' hard earned dollar. The middle class needs to start looking up the economic ladder for the beggars and thieves.
another money grubbing doctor ...
Once again Mr Paul talks in circles. Does he speak english or drivel. What is a poor person supposed to do, just die, maybe he thinks that but even in empathetic times he would think again. All the whiners say government is the problem with insurance, then why is every other insurance coverage costing more and more every year. Oh by the way Im Canadian and I work for the government, and I know that in Canada nobody but me and my doctor make my medical decisions, unlike in the US where insurance people routinely deny coverage for certain things.
Hey Richard, To say that a doctor is under the threat of slavery only proves one thing to me about who you are. You will inevitably have a doctor drop his beloved checkbook in your abdomen as an honest mistake one day. Because somethings just require more attention don't they? I thought Doctors chose their profession because they like helping poeple... How naive of me to think such decency could ever exist in the minds of the fickle.
I live in Ontario, and my health care is covered, primarily (unneeded surgeries wouldn't be covered). It's definitely not a perfect system, but if a child has pneumonia her parents can take her right in to see a doctor. They don't have to worry about how they will be able to afford it. They don't have to worry about what will happen if they don't take her in. I have many friends in the US who are in the very same position. They, or their children, are sick, but they just can't afford to see a doctor, so they don't go. Their companies (those who are working) don't have to give them a health care plan, so they don't. Of course people with private care are happy, they can afford it! The doctors give them better care because they have money! Let's see how those same doctors treat someone who can't pay... wait, they won't treat them. My mistake.
Basic, decent, health care should be a right. It IS a right, and the people in this country should expect more and want more. I find Mr Paul's statements pathetic and selfish.
Every American in the united states has a right to good Healthcare PERIOD!
The profit margin discriminates against people who have to choose between the food on the table over healthcare. I know your not as stupit as you pretend to be, GOD never mentioned the words "too Bad" and neglect the people you represent in the Bible. Oh yea, that approach of religion is only a tactic, when it's a big lie, like the war in IRAQ. Get a grip Mr. Ron Paul, Texans can see a 3 horned long horn steer from 5 miles away.
Perhaps FREE healthcare isn't a right, but in general, healthcare IS. Mr. Paul - as much as I respect his ideas on many things - is just wrong. But I will agree with his statement that we should stop sending our dollars out into the world to influence it... AND our men and women to police it. Yes, it would help our economy AND the cause of healthcare to fix that.
But I, for one, am 100% in favor of so-called "socialized" medicine... and would happily pay more in taxes for it.... at least it would be something to benefit ME and not some corporation or rich person or foreign country.
Those who complain the loudest about "socialism" and "paying higher taxes" are often those most ignorant about the rest of the world and (oddly) making MUCH less than the "rich" who may or may not actually PAY those higher tax rates. Like that loud-mouth moose-killer Palin - whose idea of being well-travelled involves a "snow machine" or going to the Aleutian Islands to "see Russia". (Thanks to Obama supporters for helping to elect him and sparing us this obnoxious hate mongering airhead as VP!)
Much of the rest of the world already has what some define as "socialized" medicine - and, as someone who has spent a great deal of time in other countries (South and Central America, New Zealand, Europe) I can tell you from personal experience that these systems are NOT the "bad medicine" many try to claim them to be. In fact, my own experience has been MUCH better than any here in the good old USA - not to mention far CHEAPER.
There's a reason many go out of this country for elective and non-elective surgeries and dental care - it's CHEAPER, duh! But ask yourself WHY is it cheaper? Personally, I think it boils down to less influence by medical and pharmaceutical industries controlling governments (federal and state).
When we finally come to our senses and stop letting the big corporations control us (and the government that is SUPPOSED to represent us) we'll outlaw such influence peddling and be better off by far.
One can hope...
Want to improve health care and make it sustainable?
Start by getting the Federal government as much removed from the system as possible and place severe restraints on its future involvement.
I don't care what individual states decide to do, but this is not a justifiable role for the Federal government. A massive, bloated, incredibly expensive, poorly managed national bureaucracy will NEVER fix this problem. It is the absolute last thing that could possible help.
Our Constitution gives no explicit provision whatsoever for the Federal government to manage our health care system. Powers not explicity granted to the Federal government belong to the states. When the Federal government exceeds its constitutional boundaries, it threatens the liberties of individuals and the legitimate power of the states to govern themselves. Period.
Health care is not a right, it is a service that must be paid for. Nothing is free in this or other countries. People should stop complaining about health care that is lacking and save money to pay for it or prevent conditions that send you to the hospital in the first place. If you are fat, loose weight, smoke, quit, etc.. And for the unemployed, GET A JOB. There are plenty of jobs out there and quit being prideful and take what you can get. Apparently, if you lost your job, you didn't try hard enough to keep it. And for people who defend kids care, then if you are not in a situation to care for kids now or in the future, don't have them. Nothing says I have to provide for your kids because of your stupidity.
It amazes me that people believe that healthcare is essential to life and should be provided by our government. The only two (O.K., maybe three) things that are technically essential to life are water and food (maybe throw in shelter, depending on where you live). And yet I don't hear people calling on the government to pay everyone's water, food, and house payment. It's understood that if you want to eat, you work and pay for it. But now people have decided that if you want to get antibiotics to quicken your recovery of an infection you should have it paid for. Simply unbelievable. This whole developing ideology of entitlement is very disturbing.
By the way, for the person that said life was a constitutional right should re-read it. It's the PURSUIT of life (liberty and happiness, too). You have to PURSUE it. It's not given to you on a silver platter.
The question here is..... What's the lesser of two evils... The answer is very obvious. We need some underinsured and uninsured opinions on here...
To Alexander
Please get your facts before you write anything!!! You got it all backwards!!!!
Ron Paul is brilliant! the voice of common sense and brilliance!
Mr. Paul is one of the only Republicans I respect........However he's wrong on this!!
Q: What's worse than a government bureaucracy with a public agenda??
A: A corporate bureaucracy with a profit motive and a private agenda.
Hey Doug, You have a right to undergo a sickness that puts you out of work, out of your house, and on the street...... You have a right to wear others shoes!
Richard..... You obviously don't get it.... The problem with your theory is that you are not a victim of selfish propoganda, and our system as a whole is driven by greed. Greed that has hijacked our government because health care has been treated as an industry driven by profit. Now any industry driven by profit is designed to bring a customer back. Our health care system is causing doctors to look at the bottom line a whole lot more than the individual. To claim a doctor as being a slave to those in need is absurd. The impovershed are enslaved. It is tough to feel liberated when your limitations hinder your ability to have an opinion on such matters as universal health care. This is a fight to abolish such slaveries from occuring by abolishing the mindset that people deserve their own misfortunes. Those who setting policies in favor of the status quo have a much greater impact on a person's life in conditions such as these.
All of this stupid talk about food, shelter, education and health care being or not being a "right" is nonsense. A reasonably educated, healthy populace benefits society in general, and civilized societies understand this.
I support a single-payer system, and having recently worked in the health insurance industry know for a fact that most seniors are quite pleased with the care they receive. But before a single penny of tax money is collected to pay for it, the billions and billions of wasted money in the Pentagon, education, and other huge government bureaucracies should be identified and eliminated. I absolutely do not support additional taxes for this program. Period.
First, I have medical insurance. I find that my insurance is pathetically restrictive, and I have to call for clearance, before doing anything more than a visit to my GP for a cold/virus. I am not at all happy with my medical insurance, and Ron Paul's statement is a lot of baloney, because I talk to people all the time, who hate their health insurance.
On the other hand, Ron Paul is a physician, who doesn't like having government interfere with his income. That, should be very easy to understand.
Last, the health care issue is too costly, but there are alternatives to having National Health Care. Those alternatives involve more regulation on physician charges, and insurance companies, with an emphasis on the latter. Both groups are motivated by profit....not humanitarian care. The profit must be contained at a reasonable level, to solve the problem.
I think health should be provided to those who can not afforded. but there is when it gets confusing, in the 40 million people who don't have health care today there are people who can actually pay for there own health care BUT they choose to spend the money buying a brand new car o a brand new computer, or simply investing it.
So, where do you draw the line. That is why is so complicated.
Many talk about the education system like a prove that goverment run services work. In fact they do. BUT WHEN THE GOVERMENTE REALLY RUNS THEY.
This bill is just gonna take over the INSURENCE INDUSTRY.
that's it. But the insurence industry is not the problem. The problem is the prices the CLINICS AND HOSPITALS charge the private insurers and the goverment run plans like medicare and medicaid.
It is well known that one of the reason prices go up is because clinics can charge medicaid and medicare whatever they want.
Billions of dollars each year are stolen from the govermente truogh medicaid and medicare.
Do we want another govermente run program. I don't think that's the solution.
I think the solution is in the education system. Children whose parents can not afford private schools go to PUBLIC school which are free.
People who can not afford to pay private clinics, should go to PUBLIC hospitals. Which would have to be free of any charge. like schools are.
That's all it takes.
As a Canadian my taxes cover the cost of health care. I choose my family Dr., choose my specialists, and can go for a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th opinion as often as I want. There is no "limit" to the number of visits to the Dr., nor any restrictions at all on my personal relationship with my Dr. They only difference...he bills the government when our appt. is done.
Our PUBLIC health care is costing us almost 1/2 what the US PRIVATE health care costs. Something is wrong. My aunt in California recently broke her anke – she paid almost $12,000 just for 2 nights stay in the hospital – the total bill was over $25,000.
I've nenver worried about the cost of a medical procedue...ever. I've never worried about health coverage between jobs...ever. I have never worried i would have a child with a medical condition I couldn't afford, Ever. You folks in the US are receiving alot of bad info on CDN health care. Public health care works, in Canada we believe...HEALTH CARE IS A RIGHT!!
My family of 3 get's medical insurance from my husbands work. It's not free by any means. We pay $65 a week for it. It does not cover everything. As responsibe people we put priorities first and pay health insurance. We have no cable,no cell phone, and living on a budget within our means. With this plan we'll probably have to pay more a week for insurance. People need to get their priorties in order because I'm tired of paying for people that get everything from the system free and feel it's owed to them. Wake up America and redo the welfare system. A lot of people get welfare that don't need it. The sad part of the welfare system is people that really need it don't qualify for it. I'm having a hard enough time supporting my own family, why should I continue supporting eveyone else.
You go, Ron! Let them eat cake!
An ounce of prevention...
Why do we, as a nation, ascribe to a health care system that is based upon the medical model–one that clearly only wants to provide an (expensive) intervention rather than the prevention of disease in the first place?
I think it is selfish of those of us to take for granted our access to health care without fully understanding the issue that is at hand for those who cannot afford it. We aren't looking at the real victims of health care disparity: Children. They cannot afford it, obviously, and they are often ones that need it the most. To say that it's not a right for an adult is one thing–but the systems in place to provide health care for underprivileged children are impossible to navigate at best and usually require a bare minimum of income for their families.
I agree with the poster who said that we should note the WHO.org website; it paints a much clearer picture about our quality of health care. Yes, we may have the 'potential' to receive some of the best treatment in the world, but for the most of us we don't need that. We need every day health care that everyone can afford!!
This is why Ron Paul is a deluded lunatic. Basic health care should be a right in the most prosperous country in the world. Why we don't have a nationalized healthcare system is beyond me. Seems to work very well in Europe.
Cue the nutball socialism, Nobama, birthers, screw the poors nonsense.