Universal health care would be a good thing (America, service)

[Autodidact]

A plan for universal health care in the U.S., similar to any one of several European plans, would be a good thing for the country and its people. It would save money, increase longetivity and health, increase our competitiveness in the world economy, and generally be a good thing.

[Reverend Rick]

Originally Posted by Autodidact

A plan for universal health care in the U.S., similar to any one of several European plans, would be a good thing for the country and its people. It would save money, increase longetivity and health, increase our competitiveness in the world economy, and generally be a good thing.

Increase our competitiveness? How so? What would be the incentive to look for the least expensive provider or encourage drug companies to find a cure or a new drug?

If we had universal health care, who would we be competing with and how would this competition help us?

[Autodidact]

Right now American companies have to compete against companies from other countries who don't have to bear the labor cost of providing health care for their workers, which puts us at a competitive disadvantage.

European countries contain medical costs primarily because the government is in a strong negotiating position with the providers, and negotiate lower cost health care. That's the incentive for the least expensive provider.

I don't see how drug companies incentives would change?

Did you know that every country that provides universal health care does so at a much lower cost per capita than us? That is, everyone is covered, and they're spending less per person--not per covered person--than we are.

[Reverend Rick]

I could see where we could get too focused on cost and people who meant well could say we should make smoking illegal or high risk behaviors as well, like riding a motorcycle or certain sexual lifestyles could be frowned upon in the name of reducing costs, which I would personally be against. I may have quit smoking, but it was my decision. I would hate to have had to quit because I was required to.

[Reverend Rick]

The Problems with Socialized Health Care

[Autodidact]

Originally Posted by Reverend Rick

I could see where we could get too focused on cost and people who meant well could say we should make smoking illegal or high risk behaviors as well, like riding a motorcycle or certain sexual lifestyles could be frowned upon in the name of reducing costs, which I would personally be against. I may have quit smoking, but it was my decision. I would hate to have had to quit because I was required to.

So the problem is that it wouldn't be cost effective, but it would be too cost effective?

Does any country with universal health care do this now?

[Autodidact]

Originally Posted by Reverend Rick

The Problems with Socialized Health Care

O.K., a link alone is not helpful. Is there a specific problem that you want to claim actually exists? Something that you think would be made worse by universal health care?

[Storm]

World Health System Rankings

We're 37. Saudi Arabia beat us, for crying out loud!

[Reverend Rick]

Originally Posted by Storm

World Health System Rankings

We're 37. Saudi Arabia beat us, for crying out loud!

They should beat us, they have more money. The quality of healthcare and money spent does seem to matter.

HMO's save money and everyone who participates in them think they suck.

[Reverend Rick]

Originally Posted by Autodidact

O.K., a link alone is not helpful. Is there a specific problem that you want to claim actually exists? Something that you think would be made worse by universal health care?

Besides having less freedoms and liberty by being controlled by the government, I believe the quality and availability would be an issue.

One simple question, do you really believe the government will run the health care industry better than the private sector and quality and service will improve?