US Health Reforms

[Stephen]

Hopefully this won't become political, but Ive been reading with interest the US Health Reforms that just got passed in the Senate.

Just because I am interested, how does the average American see this? It seems there are a lot of people who are very against it, which I do not really understand - Australia has a public system which, although far from perfect, does help the average Australian that needs medical treatment.

From what I understand, most Americans have no insurance and no chance to get it. Doesn't this give them a chance?

Stephen

[jdwanchalk]

I know that Jeremy is very happy with it. He called it "the greatest day in America's history".

[Newjabber]

Australia has a public system which, although far from perfect, does help the average Australian that needs medical treatment.

Its the same in Denmark. It blows my mind how a country cannot have a public healthcare system

[actyper]

Should be a good thing for most Americans as most people don't save $ like they used to. Its nice not having to use emergency $ for health issues.

[Spry]

The Government is pretty much inept in most things it does, where as free market provides the highest quality products at lowest prices.

Ron Paul gives some sound arguments here: YouTube - Ron Paul opposes health bill

[Jeremy]

I know that Jeremy is very happy with it. He called it "the greatest day in America's history".

Yea right!

This is actually a disaster for America because of what the bill actually is. In theory, public health care sounds great. However, this bill has absolutely nothing to do with "health" or "care". It has everything to do with the U.S. government being bankrupt and needing a new immediate revenue source. Taxes will start immediately, however benefits will not start until 2014 if I understand correctly.

In most polls, only 35% of Americans support the way this bill is written. And guess what, most of these supporters are the ones that will be sucking off the government teet with subsidies; getting free health care, public housing, and food stamps.

Although most of these people already get free health care as it is anyways. So in theory all this bill does is fu** over small business owners by making it a law that we buy private health insurance (with no cap or regulation on premiums) for every employee we hire regardless of their wage.

If you think we have an employment problem in America now, just wait. No small business owner in their right mind is going to be hiring people when we have no idea what this bill means, or what the repercussions are for our businesses.

Further to any of this, it is unconstitutional in America for the government to make it law that a self employed citizen like me has to buy a product from a private company or face jail time. If it were such a great bill, how come our elected officials are not on the same plan?

From the outside looking in at America, of course this sounds like a great bill. However the reality of it is that it's nothing more than a bailout from the producers in this country to the government. Congratulations on witnessing the biggest bamboozle in American history.

Good news though, although we have jobs problem approaching levels of the great depression in this country, this new legislation will create 150,000 new bureaucratic government jobs, with 16,500 of them being with the IRS to enforce the new law.

Our government has become a government that our founding fathers warned us about. There is no longer any respect for the constitution or the declaration of independence. A few hundred people are steering the ship of 300+ million with no regard for the will of the people.

[CK]

No disrespect but I really don't understand the attitude Americans have when it comes to helping others. It;s like screw my neighbour, I worked for this it's mine and to hell with anyone else. You want it go get it yourself. And really Im not trying to sound rude but that's what I see when I hear people talk about the health care or anything to do with the govt providing something for everyone. Yes systems can be abused but there is still plenty of good that can come out of a public system.

[CK]

Its the same in Denmark. It blows my mind how a country cannot have a public healthcare system

Oddly enough - our system is public although a family member was recently diagnosed with cancer and found out the not all of the treatments are covered by OHIP which blows my mind because that's when people really do need healthcare. She was told that her cost would be $500/mth towards chemo and radiation.

[Spry]

Since the money is being seized via taxes, we are not deciding whether or not to help people, we are being forced to "help people" by funding a government program that is guaranteed to be so red-tape ridden and full of waste and abuse that the money we "pay" in taxes (we don't pay it, they take it) is mostly wasted. Where as if free market solutions were in place the cost and availability of health care would be much better across the board.

I mean seriously look at social security, medicare, medicade... the government schools and even the post office. Compare them to a profit orientated company who has competitors... who works more efficiently? Who provides better service at cheaper prices?

(ps and no offense taken )

[themike537]

You want it go get it yourself.

That's exactly how I feel, and I don't think it's rude or selfish at all... it's fair. I don't mind helping people out, but I do mind when the gov. dips its hand in my pocket over and over to use my money for whatever it wants (often in the most unproductive way possible).