What is the current status of universal health care in the USA?

Question

I just watched Sicko the movie and I have always had an interest in how healthcare works since I go to the doctor quite a bit.
The thing is a do not keep up with current events at all, so can someone explain to me the current status on Obama's attempt at universal health care and what the outlook is. Thanks you poli sci buffs (im an engineer, give me a break..haha)

Answer 1

Universal health coverage might happen if people realise that the right in the USA are taking thirty pieces of silver to hold things back.



I do not understand why so many Americans have fallen for lies about healthcare in the USA, abroad and also the planned reforms [1]. I mean, if the healthcare system in the USA is so good, why have no other nations taken it up? Could it be due to the following facts?

FACT - the USA spends more on healthcare PER PERSON than any other nation on the planet [2].

FACT - the US has higher death rates for kids under five than western European countries with universal health coverage [3].

Or if the US healthcare system is run so well, why not run the fire service like the healthcare system? [4]

Maybe that is because in the USA, insurance companies push up costs, buy politicians and refuse to pay claims that people pay for [5]. (Look up Wendell Potter on YouTube to hear more if the link below is too long.)

Obama wants to make insurance cheaper, stop insurance companies from refusing health coverage to those with pre-existing conditions, and make sure they pay out when they are meant to [6], a system similar to that which works in Taiwan [7]. He debated this before he was elected [8].

Is it right that a dead American four year old would have had a better chance of life if they were born in Canada, Cuba, Germany and so many other industrialised nations with universal healthcare?

If you think my arguments are wrong, e-mail me with proof. But if you can not, let Obama try to help America. If he fails, vote him out in 2012.

Answer 2

Some kind of significant reform is likely to pass. As you do, I also go to the doctor regularly to maintain my health. I run 10 miles a week, row, and lift weights to do my part. You probably have insurance, as I do. What you may not know, is that 20% of our gross domestic product is spent on health care, and that's leaving a large portion of people without health care. I'm assuming, from your statement that you go to the doctor a lot, that you believe in early detection and that you see the potential for saving money AND lives with preventative care. I have not even touched on the people who pay into Medicare for years, but never make it to 65 because they can't afford necessary health care! I am talking about WORKING Americans. Essentially, the uninsured are paying for health care they are not even benefitting from. In the meantime, they are left to spread contagious diseases around, thereby increasing all the health costs. Did I mention that 60% of bankruptcies are due to medical bills? Those costs are already absorbed by us. People laughed when Obama said that the health bill was cost neutral, but I am not so sure that it wouldn't be. I just think of how many hidden costs there are to our current system and of all the money we will save be catching diseases early, increasing productivity by decreasing the spread of disease, decreasing the number of people on disability due to untreated serious illness, and make the people over 65 healthier in their youth=better chance of health in old age.



There is much more for me to say, but I will leave it at this for now. (My brothers are engineers, too)

Answer 3

It will be better with a public option (choices) and if the right wing nut jobs go take a powder and put down their crack pipes.They know it can work in which that in itself would be their worst nightmare .

Answer 4

it's screwed up, EVERYWHERE except for one place, and that is called "jail".



you get free, universal health care in jail, but you don't if you're not in jail. I guess it's just a privilege that all criminals have.



On top of that, we taxpayers PAY their healthcare, so essentially we're paying those we don't want in our society something that we can't possibly buy ourselves.

Answer 5

Healthcare now in the US is better than what will happen under Obama's plan.

Answer 6

WE don't want Obama Change, or Obama Care !!!! Or OBAMA !!! LOL

Answer 7

same as before everyone wants it but no one wants to pay for it

Answer 8

Things are 'changing'. Be 'hopeful'.