Free health care

Fact is, the government does not run anything efficiently. They pretty much screw up everything they touch. The democrats just use this as another to carrot to dangle to those that would like more handouts.They have pretty much proven that the more they give away to certain people, the more those people expect. Meanwhile those of us that have worked and paid taxes all our lives just keep paying more and more to support the ones that won't work.

[Top Cat]

I'm not trying to cop and attitude here, just trying to get the point across that it's not all roses for healthcare employees.

Didn't even consider you were coping an attitude. I have had sergery a few times. I have seen some patients that were so obnoxious and demanding if they were in my care I would have warned them and then if they didn't straighten out.......well they probably would have accidently fallen out of bed

I'll bet your co-pays are less than mine.

Probably, mine are $15.

A person doesn't have services rendered then get them written off just because they can't pay.
I understand that also. I just didn't know what the circumstances were that would allow the non-payment.

As a side note I would like to commend Misunderstood , for having the good character to pay the bill even though it probably put a strain on his everyday living. As he said, it took awhile but it got paid. There are a ton of people out there that would say screw it let them eat the bill.

[Idaho]

Well no surprises here on this discussion. We all can cite issues with our current system. I for one get tired of my 20% being huge because I'm paying for people who go to the ER for aspirin and then don't pay. I agree with those of you noted that the government can't run anything profitably or fairly. But, I'm still waiting to hear from our friends in other countries. Guess that we need to "invite" them here. I'll see what I can do.

[blowndodge]

We don't "need" a socialized heath care system. We already have it! As trip pointed out nobody is denied service and the costs are usually passed on the the people who can afford to pay. The gov't just wants to normalized it. Hospital charge a "facility" fee on paying individuals. This facility fee is an amount that is added on top of the regular fee charged by the Anesthesiologist and surgeon and materials used. Most Dr. now own the hospital they have priviledges at and assess this fee.

[Idaho]

This is a rob Peter to pay Paul scheme and as I posted in another thread politicians will always be able to get Paul to support that effort.

[trevwales]

In the UK it is true that the service is free, but sometimes if you need to be referred to a specialist, the wait can be months. Unless of course you have a private health care insurance when you suddenly leap to the head of the queue and no problem about waiting at all.

When I worked in the States had a good job and covered my family for everything, costing an arm and a leg (pun intended), but not sure if would have had same treatment if I had not had that insurance? Sounds as if things have gotten worse over there with extra fees being levied?

It looks as well, that the politicians over there mess with the health care system too, we have had that problem for years. All that appears to happen though is that the health care trusts analyse their figures differently and feed the politicians what they would like to hear. Good thing too, let the professionals go ahead and run it, not the amateurs!

I have been lucky, in last two years been to hospital twice, once for eyes when retina was torn, and once for Lymphoma removal. Each time was immediate action taken and working out great. Nothing but praise from me for our hospitals and employees!

[misunderstood]

Thanks TC, but I'd rather have your money then the commendation. ;) ;) Just kidding. It's a matter of principle and protecting ones credit rating.

[ianicky]

As you say nothing is for free, we pay National insurance contributions which covers our medical needs lol. Me personally i think that our National Health Services (NHS) is going down hill fast, it seems every month we hear they are shutting another Hospital in one of the smaller towns and waiting lists for operations seem to get longer and longer, we have wards shutting in larger hospitals and most of our major hospitals were constructed during WW2 and are in a bad state of repair.

I had what turned out to be a Frozen shoulder a few years ago, after about six months of excruciating pain in my shoulder and many visits to my Doctor who just kept giving me more drugs, i paid to go private and see a specialist, the following week i was admitted and had a small operation on my shoulder which I'm glad to say sorted the problem.
The ironic thing is that most of these specialist are NHS surgeons who work for the private hospitals.
I now pay nearly £110 per month ($220) to cover my family for private health care, unfortunately i still have to pay National Insurance contributions.
I'm not to sure how your health service works but from what Ive seen i would do your best to keep it as it is.

[Idaho]

My thanks to ianicky and trevwales for their input. Sounds to me like socialized health care basically amounts to what we have here. Those who can not pay are subsidized by those who buy private insurance. It is interesting that ianicky feels that the state of medical facilities is deteriorating rapidly. My fewr is that if the US government gets their hands on health care we will all be in very bad shape. Thanks to you all who responded from around the globe. Idaho

Fact is, the politicians that push "free" health care just want our vote. It's another example of them playing on the "oh poor me" mentality of so many in this country these days.I wonder how many people that can't afford to buy healthcare insurance are driving $40,000.00 vehicles and living in houses with an extra bedroom or two, and/or an extra garage stall for their powered toys.

Oh, one more angle.If we get this "free" healthcare provided by the government, whom are people going to sue.LOL. I wonder how much a hospital has to pay for liability insurance? There, we have the topic for a new thread.

[vaccam]

I was in St. John's, Newfoundland this past week on business. The first thing I noticed was the 13 percent sales tax. The clerk told me it was going up to 14 percent soon.

The Canadians I was with said they like their health care, but that it was at times difficult to get an appointment and every medical situation you have is considered a separate appointment. The guy I was working with was complaining that he had to wait three days to see a dentist for what he considered an emergency.

[pappy]

I don't know about the rest of you but, I really don't want the same people running health care that run the IRS or Social Insecurity. Can you imagine the bureaucracy? If we think heath care costs are high now, just wait till it's free!!

[misunderstood]

Fact is, the politicians that push "free" health care just want our vote. It's another example of them playing on the "oh poor me" mentality of so many in this country these days.I wonder how many people that can't afford to buy healthcare insurance are driving $40,000.00 vehicles and living in houses with an extra bedroom or two, and/or an extra garage stall for their powered toys.

Not me,that's nearly what I paid for my house. ;)

I hear ya Misunderstood. Other than the bikes I have no luxuries to speak of. Drive a '91 Chevy S-10 so I can afford to ride. But I have my health insuance too, and I'm pretty darned happy. Now,for some warm weather and I'll be ecstatic.