medicine, socialized or... what?

[low_delta]

I love it when people say they don't want to pay for others' health care, but they have an insurance plan. The only way they haven't paid for others' health care, is if they've taken out more in benefits than they've paid in. The only difference between socialized medicine and the current health care system (in this respect), is who administers the bureaucracy. I feel the fact that nobody's forcing them to pay insurance premiums is irrelevant. In most practical respects, we *are* forced to pay for insurance.

Comments

[marswalker.livejournal.com]

If the government were able to efficiently administer the health care system, there are several things I would like to see but I'm afraid most of them wouldn't happen.

I'd like to see better overall quality of care... but if salaries were affected by true "socialistic" medicine, it might not draw as many brilliant students, etc.

I'd like to see some basic level, with the ability to pay for upgrades, that might bring back some allure for the financial reward side of things.

I'd like to see better management of pharmaceuticals both so the manufacturers stop ripping us and hospitals off, and so they're held more accountable for when they push mal-tested drugs to the market - safer drugs. But as long as there's big money there will probably be big abuse.

[ravenfeather.livejournal.com]

If the government were able to efficiently administer ANYTHING. *sigh* I think you are right about not attracting brilliant students. I think there has to be a societal change to reverse the "it is all about ME" and "I am my best marketer" attitudes, AND from being inside the system, there has to be a change in the medical education system. See.. the best and brightest.. don't make it a lot of times... it is those that can and more importantly WILL manipulate the system for their own means.. ethics aside. Again, there are ethics involved in both of the societal and educational systems in place.

Hmmm.. pay for upgrades... that would be hard to achieve without "ranking" care.. and that ranking no matter how logical, is bound to piss someone in the have not section off. Unless it was limited to elective procedures.. but then... it is still going to piss someone off.

Uggh.. don't get me started on the drug lords companies!

The health care system really seemed to work well when we were in Germany. And yeah.. it was automatically taken out of everyone's paycheck.. but they have/had the added "social service" of making sure everyone possible was working by training, monitoring and.. regulating specialties in the work force.

[vwip.livejournal.com]

Are they worried about paying for other people's law enforcement?
Any argument that they should disband the socialised police force, and only investigate crimes committed against people who have justice insurance?

[cynnerth.livejournal.com]

Ooo, I like this! I'll have to use it sometime.

[mcohenmn.livejournal.com]

That's an AWESOME argument! But paying to find a mugger downtown (that might attack and rob you next) is bit different from paying to fight someone else's cancer (that won't spread to you). So, it's not a perfect argument - just a good one.

[ravenfeather.livejournal.com]

heh. I think the line is "do *I* say I have to pay, or does *ANYONE OUTSIDE OF MY SKIN* says I have to pay. I agree.. it is a pointless argument.

[northernsnokat.livejournal.com]

I don't mind paying for health insurance. I do mind getting ripped off. It is hard for me to comprehend a 5-10 minute office call costs over $300. I understand the costs of maintaining hospitals, clinics, and doctors. I also see the opulent side. Soon nonone will be able to afford good healthcare unless something is done. I chose an HSA with a $3000 deductible. I am not going to a doctor unless they drag me in. I shouldn't have to feel that way.

[mummm.livejournal.com]

Very good Kevin!

[wizzy.livejournal.com]

VERY GOOD POINTS! (Read my health care rant on my post)

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I saw it. And when you said, these Republican Ads that blast Obama's plan, telling us that "BUREAUCRATS" will get between us and our doctors. It's just another smoke screen to keep us from seeing and thinking about who's between us and our doctors right now- that would be: THE INSURANCE COMPANIES & THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES!!

That's exactly what I'm talking about.

I'm not trying to say this new plan is great. I'm just saying that some of the things people are complaining about aren't any worse than things we have already.

[wizzy.livejournal.com]

I think that Washington sometimes turns this into a topsy turvy world where most of us are left speechless and and go: "HUH!!!???" when we hear stupid Ads like the one on my post.

It's an insult to my intelligence but I have to wonder: How many out there are thinking like us my friend?

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Lots of us, I'll bet.