The Ledge's Monthly Approval of President Obama-Do You Approve??? August 2009

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

I think there should be some form of health-care available to everyone, but I believe it is not the government's business to run it. Perhaps they should run a basic care plan outline that all doctor's within America can adapt to, and accept, and the uninsured can get basic care for "X" amount of dollars up front and "X" amount per prescription.

i agree that gov't should not be concerning itself with providing health care, but i don't see how what you are proposing is all that different. the cost of the basic care you're talking about is going to be subsidized somehow, and that money is either going to come from the tax base or from price hikes enacted on those who don't qualify for the low-income plans. either way, it's bound to be messy.

Take England and the UK for example... They have a "****" system...a government run system called the NHS, where everybody and anybody gets free healthcare, from minor prescriptions to major surgery. Its disliked on the whole though, as you have to sometimes wait a couple of months to get your free £25,000 surgery, or have to wait 2 hours to see a doctor to get your free prescription.

The people that are pro-NHS (ignorant basically) because they don't seem to realise that their taxes seldom cover the costs of their lifetimes NHS treatment. Ironically those among the populace that DO fund it, usually have private health-care, so wont use the NHS as much as most people anyway.

FWIW, although i haven't done an extensive survey of UK citizens, almost all of the brits i've spoken to are very much for the NHS.

In the UK, many people are calling for people to pay a small fee of £20 when seeing their doctors, and introducing a system whereby if you dont have medical insurance, you only get very basic care. All the humans rights "ilk" dont think thats fair though.

I wish there were a compromise, but with 65 million people on a tiny island, and increasing numbers of people who dont pay their way, its the only way to go I think.

i think it sounds great to say that everyone is entitled to health care. but is it feasible? i'm not sure. the bottom line is that medical care is a limited resource. rationing is going to have to take place, whether it's a matter of money or central planning. and i think history has taught us that central planning is, at best, inefficient.

PS... To answer the poll, I have to vote "NO" thus far. Give the man another year and we'll see though.

i was never big on obama, but now i'm totally over him. which is one big reason i'm now a registered libertarian.