OUR SCREWED UP HEALTH CARE SYSTEM MIGHT SAVE BIG COMPANIES MONEY BUT IT BRINGS ME AND SO MANY OTHERS TO THE LAST BREATH ;( ..it's a damb shame to know our country care more about money then the health of our citizens ;(.

I really appricated this post and just wanted to suggest you read my recent journal entry regarding what blue/cross is trying to pull now. It is ridiculouse that in such a rich country we cant even have our medical needs met because of the greed of pharms and insurance.

*Bows with deep respect*

Jennifer

I agree that the system is screwed, to a point...HOWEVER, let me also say that one thing we DO NOT want is public health coverage - socialized health care is very poor and substandard health care. It is capitalistic competition that gives us much of the freedom of choice when it comes to health care (what I mean is that we can get 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. opinions). If we were to have public health care, then there would be no competition, therefore, no one doctor would have any desire, or need for that matter to be better than another.

Also, the level of service and waiting periods are much worse in public health care. Let's say for instance, you get hurt, or are sick and go to the ER, sure we all wait quite a while to see a doctor in many cases, but in some places where there is public health care, the wait can be weeks for something that the government feels is not serious. Currently in a capitalistic model, they will treat you no matter what the problem is. For many of us with anxiety and have ever gone to the ER to get relief, this means we would be put far down on the list.

For a glimpse into what I am talking about - has any ever been to a free clinic? or utilize dental or health services at their local health department? One word sums this up - AWFUL. It takes SO long to get an appointment, meds, etc. Now imagine if that was your only choice....kinda scary to think about.

No, we do not need more govenrment involvement in our lives, it is not what our country was founded on, in fact, it is direct opposition to the very reason the US claimed independance from England who was, for lack of better phrasing "all up in our business". Public schooling (in most areas) is very bad (this is what happens when the government is involved).

But I do think that the government should be involved in regulating the industry more, but still let it be privately run. Additionally, the states should have more rights as to what works best for them when it comes to this issue.

So that is my 2cent :)

Mike

That is so true Mike about 'free' clinics here in the states,, but apparently according to those who live in places like canada and france,, socialized medicine actually seems to make them very happy and work well. BUT ,, since we dont have that we really just cant know how well it would work here with our current governement.

I have been to the 'free' welfare based clinics once,, I was accidently reffered to one after a trip to the ER for an anxiety attack. Oh my GOD... yes what a DISASTER,, and the people who work there are so sick of seeing all the strung out people with no hope that they are just horrible.. I should say the one I went to was.

I have hope though,, hope that we can overcome this. Everyone is waking up in this country and I think our current displeasure with the mess of our system is showing in our spending. I keep seeing articles that push america to get out there and get more in debt,, but we're tired of it. All these things we buy fill nothing none of the holes or bring us happyness.. happyness comes from within not from what you own. Happyness comes from health, love and life.

*Bows in deep respect*        Jennifer

I do fear the saying, "you get what you pay for"  Doctors are humans and some are in it for the money and could care less about patience and some are in it for the money but do care a great deal. From my experience and listening to others when they go to the emergency room, they are first sent in a room to give the insurance info and if they have none, they have to sit for hours and wait. This is very sad but true or it is in the area that I live. I am lucky enough to have medical insurance so I didn't even pay attention to what a doctors visit was, that is untill a friend without medical insurance told me what she was charged for a visit. I checked mine and they charged my insurance almost twice the amount. No wonder my premiums are so high. I suppose this is one way they collect money when they loose it on patients that can't afford to pay the doctor bills.  It did not anger me. There's things much worse that go on, for instance my insurance being charged for things that I'm not even aware of. At one point I was on medicaid and finally got my insurance started and they were charging both medicaid and my insurance...getting paid twice!! When I mentioned this to them, suddenly an old bill I owed for over 1000.00 disapeared...

If you have ever filed your income taxes using the long form you might understand why I think government health care is a bad idea.  Why are people so willing to forgo their individual freedoms so quickly?  There is no way on earth I would EVER want some politician in charge of my healthcare, no matter what.  Even if you are left waiting longer in the ER because you have no insurance, you still get medical care because hospitals are not allowed to turn you away (government).  So all that free care has to be paid for by someone (patients with coverage or who can afford to pay on their own, taxes, and hospital gratuitousness)  Doesn't the previous post by Jennifer tell you exactly what happens when government is in charge of healthcare ie welfare?  And if socialized medicine works so well in Canada why are so many Canadians coming to the good old US for care? And speaking of insurance companies, how many physicians and health care professionals have to charge ridiculous fees or simply don't practice medicine because they have to pay exorbitant insurance premiums because people rip them off by filing frivolus law suits?  I am sympathetic to those who have health problems and truly cannot do anything about it, but I'm willing to bet they are fewer in number than the politicians will admit.  That's where it's important to allow people to practice charity, not force them to pay unwillingly through taxing them. Amen