A Case for Universal Healthcare in California »
Posted By Alexia 1 year, 3 months ago in NewsSince its release on July 29, Michael Moore's documentary "Sicko" has created a nationwide buzz about universal health care. In the accompanying video, Netscape Anchor Alexia Prichard covers the action in Santa Clarita, CA, where a group of activists have been lobbying for the passage of Senate Bill 840, also known as The Universal Health Care Act.
Read Full Story at newsquake.netscape.com »
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Documentary filmmaker, interactive mediaist, with a background in theatre and writing. Avid non-fiction reader.
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Comments So Far: 399
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jaxguy1 year, 3 months ago
the United States spends about 6000 dollars per person on Health Care each year and in contrast every other developed nation which does have universal health care spends half or less than half per person of what we spend on health care.
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m-simon1 year, 3 months ago
Which is why they have long waiting lists (in Britain it is a scandal - waiting times for some tests and procedures has doubled).
There is no perfect system.
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BusinessDude1 year, 3 months ago
"Which is why they have long waiting lists" - exactly.
And we will become the same way if we change our system to this "universal health care" idea.
If you didn't already notice, customer service in government-run programs is bad enough as it is (IRS, Passport Agency, US Postal, etc). Add Health Care into the mix, and you'll be giving them one more program to run into the ground.
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Distractomatic1 year, 3 months ago
B****-A** Republican Psychology 101
*Before ever arguing with a CON, always know that you are right, and know their tricks that they use to discredit the truth- ostracizing and embarrassment.
How a CON thinks:
1. They care nothing about anyone other than themselves, including their less fortunate (but none the less) FELLOW Americans, or the environment.
2. If something does not satisfy their desires, they get ******ed, because after all they are completely self-centered.
3. If the thing that ******es them off is animal, mineral, vegetable, or non-American, then God allows them to kill and/or obliterate whatever the problem is.
4.If it is a fellow American citizen who wants to change the status quo, such as a "liberal," they try to embarrass that person any way they can, at work, in a restaurant, IN A POLITICAL DEBATE, etc. That is why REPUBS in congress boo and walk out of arguments when they lose. To embarrass, because when they have no argument, they OSTRACIZE.
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patnmeril1 year, 3 months ago
It surprises me that more people don't grasp the plain fact that the insurance industry is what drives healthcare costs so high. They add several layers of profit taking, Bureaucracy, etc. There are several "support" industries as well (billing companies, etc) Just removing that aspect would GREATLY reduce medical costs. When you need medical attention you are paying the Doctor, the nurse, the hospitals administrave costs, probably 10-15 insurance/billing people, as well as providing profits for all of the associated companies.
Also capping malpractice claims would go a long way towards making healthcare affordable for everyone.
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jaxguy1 year, 3 months ago
we also spend an estimated 15% of the entire GDP on health care which is the highest amount for any developed nation on planet earth and yet there are still millions of Americans with no health insurance at all. someone in this system is making a whole lot of money for a whole lot of nothing.
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m-simon1 year, 3 months ago
Some of those millions have no health insurance because they have other priorities for their money.
The really poor have adequate coverage. Those on the edge of poor have a tougher time.
I'd really hate to see the government control any more of the health care system than it already does.
Plus once the government is in control how will you get a doctor that suits you or see that incompetents are outed?
There is no perfect system.
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icelander1 year, 3 months ago
You keep saying that there's no perfect system, but why don't we try to make a better one?
All the statistics say that the rest of the developed world has better health at lower cost than we do. Why don't we at least try some of the things they're doing? If it doesn't work, we can change it back, but what do we really have to lose?
The lack of a perfect system isn't an excuse not to improve the system we have.
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quackpot1 year, 3 months ago
seeing that incompetents are outed? As they are now? That one is rich.
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jaxguy1 year, 3 months ago
if you'd like to see a basic list of the pros and cons being debated for providing universal health care click here ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_health_c...
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Candida1 year, 3 months ago
I find it incomprehensible how people can be against unversal health care. They seems to be saying to their fellow citizens: "I don't care if you die, the only important thing is that I get the best care I can afford."
I just want to highlight from the list one of the excuses people give for objecting to universal health care: "Healthy people who take care of themselves should not have to pay for the burden of those who smoke, are obese, etc."
I'm one of the lucky people who has universal health care, and who has paid into it far more than I ever took out of it. I must say that I don't mind it at all. I know that the situation could change tomorrow, and if it never does, then I can be grateful for my health and glad that I've helped to give access to those who needed it.
Regarding smoking, obesity, etc., perhaps a chunk of the health dollars should be used for prevention, which is difficult in a fragmented private system.
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1robert0271 year, 3 months ago
Hey libs, I've got a brilliant Idea, develope a system where a liberal can adopt whatever family doesn't have insurance. Then the libs can pay all the bills and be happy and content. In the mean time I prefer to go on taking care of the family we made, and choose to teach children when they turn 18, they have to work...............
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djrevelky1 year, 3 months ago
I audit Medicaid daily. I see how much waste the government has. I see how inefficient it is. I see how easily providers break the law and no one cares because it isn't their money.
What about the growing number of Americans who do not have healthcare because they choose not to have it?
And there are programs and laws in place. Go to non-profit hospitals if you can't afford the procedure you need, under federal law they can't turn you away. They will bill you for it later. If you pay $1 a month they cannot turn you over to a collection agency.
The need for free healthcare is bunk. Also, it is far from "free".
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