U.S. already has socialized medicine

We already have socialized medicine in the U.S. It’s called the VA. We already cover everyone over 65. It’s called Medicare. Most states have health care available for everyone under age 16. At the very least, why not extend to everyone the possibility of opting into a public plan?

The health insurance industry cries “foul!” But aren’t they the ones who’ve been denying coverage, rationing treatment and withholding payment to those who need it most? Why are they so afraid of competing with a public plan?

Bottom line: We need comprehensive health care for all, not some patchwork plan that doesn’t address the core issue.

Diane Eickhoff
Kansas City
 

Comments

[Kate]

Should have typed "grew up near".

[Kate]

I grew near the Winnebago Indian Reservation. Your implication that somehow alcoholism justifies rationing health care is disgusting.

[whispering_to_kc]

Ever spent any time on the rez?

I didn't think so.

Healthcare/insurance is only one of their many problems. The lines for healthcare are only matched by the lines in front of the liquor store and the unemployment office.

[Kate]

“The IHS is underfunded.”

Of course it is. So it controls costs the same way Canada and the UK do, by rationing care. So will any new system our government puts into place. The IHS describes itself as a system of rationing medical resources. The result is a population that is unable to seek out it’s own care, locked into a system that doesn’t work until a person is on death’s door. And when government runs health care, we look forward to similar treatment. We’re promised that government run health care will “save money” but we’re never told exactly how. The only way to save money is to ration care. So we’ll all be thrown into the health care rationing grinder, just like veterans at the VA, seniors on Medicare, and Native Americans on IHS.

[whispering_to_kc]

So, what exactly is the point of the sltrib reference?

The rez is often a long way from anywhere. High unemployment, alcoholism, obesity, drugs, teenage pregnancy, suicide. Private health insurance won't go near the places. Native Americans can sign up for Medicare/Medicaid but they often won't. The IHS is underfunded.

The UK is socialized medicine. Healthcare workers are government employees. Canada is different as it's single-payer health insurance yet the wingnuts will always lump the two together as one and the same.

You've only made an argument for single-payer health insurance, without knowing you did.

[Kate]

VA, Medicare, and you forgot to mention IHS.

It controls costs by rationing care, the same as Canada and Great Britain do, and the same as we'll all end up experiencing.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_12593002?source=rss

[T. Hanson]

Alright.. where should we start with this letter:

The VA is meant for Veterans that did a great service to this country. Yes, it is government ran which has had some good things happen and some bad things happen, ask GYCL.

Medicare and Medicaid are both paid for by the person that is taking the treatment. Not at the time of treatment though. Medicare is paid out of your paycheck and it goes to a Medicare doctor (which is not a government worker).

Something needs to be done, but trying to explain our Heath care in 3 paragraphs is too simplistic.