Do you have an opinion about universal health care verus private health care?

Well I am from the UK where we have our own National Health Service, which I believe is the same principle as the Canadian Universal system, and I would support it every time. Since joining MyLot I have been horrified by the many posts I have read here from American posters who talk about not being able to afford a simple visit to the Doctor. To me this is disgusting and unforgiveable. We are all entitled to good health, and good health treatment, regardless of whether we are young or old, rich or poor, or whatever. I know some people tal about the long waiting lists here, and I know ome Brits who can afford it, do join rivate schemes to speed this process up, but if there is an accident or emergency, or if you just have a cold and want some antibiotics, a British citizen will be seen the same day for free which I feel is how it should be. To me it is indefensible that one of the biggest and the weathiest countries in the world, can find thousands to spend on war and weapons, and yet not respect it's own citizens enough to give them decent medical treatment.

I think it's ashame that we have over 40 million uninsured people here in the United States. The same corrupt politicians who opposed Universal Health Care receive the best health care in the world on the backs of the United States taxpayer. They work for the insurance and pharmacuticle companies instead for the American people. I can't tell you how hypocritical they are. I hear conservative talk radio hosts blast universal health care. They have nothing to worry about. They are covered or can afford a $500 to $1000 per month health car insurance policy. I could care less if there are long lines. Any health care is better than none at all. Hopefully the right administration will be put in office and finally address this shameful situation. Lloyd

I am glad his eyesight was saved. We have not had health insurance since hubby lost his job about 4 years ago. We cannot afford to get our own. Fortunately we are healthy people and do not know what would become of us if something did. We work and don't make alot of money and cannot get health insurance for ourselves through the state agency til we can get on our feet and get our own. I fell during our recent housefire and had some burns and was transported to the local hospital about 8 miles. There is a 400 dollar bill for the ambulance, 510 for the emergency room xray and bandages with medicine on burns. And they wrapped my knee, which I still hobble around a bit. Was on a cane. We also have a 50 dollar billing from the doctor that just read the xray. We are not sure how to pay it and are seeking remedial billing through the uninsured program. Wish us luck. We will be fortunate to pay for our rental house now that we have not house since it was burned down. Health care has become only for the rich or those that are fortunate to have it provided by the company that they work for. Universal health care should be implemented however I am afraid the the government would ruin that with too much paperwork like they have done with everything else. Something has to be done though. Too many in this country is doing without and illnesses are becoming worse than they need be.

To me private health care is able to give better service, however they demand for more money and seldom care for the public. However public health care is mainly established for the concern of the public. However they do no have enough fund so their service is not that good. Which way is which, I would not say one is better than the other. Both is equally compatible, in their own way.

I am in Australia, and I believe that Canada modelled its health care system after ours. We are truly blessed to have the philosophy that every person, regardless of who they are and who they were born to, has the right to health care and an education. Yes, there are queues for some things, but anything that is an emergency is as you described. Free, and for the most part, a private doctor could not have given better treatment. I also shudder at the thought of a supposedly civilised society that will let a poor person go without medical care, or let even a middle-income family fend for themselves when someone gets sick. What kind of people can turn their backs on their neighbours like that, and where is the collective outrage to demand that these people receive what they need? It is all well and good to say that everyone should support themselves, but are we really fair to say that about a child whose mother can't afford an operation? Is it the child's fault, and aren't we obligated as humans to make sure they're looked after? Something that many people choose not to want to hear, is that the cost of a specialist is related to the fact that most people have private cover. They charge whatever they like because they have no guilt. The bill usually goes to an insurance company, not a person. Mechanics do the same thing with your car, the price is much higher if they know an insurer is paying for the repair! This is the truth. Many studies have shown easily, that if everyone were entitled to free care, and the taxes slightly raised to cover that, then the "middle people" would be much better off than being in private cover. That money goes a lot further if it is pooled and managed properly. If your job no longer had to provide cover, you'd get paid more in hand overall, even with the small tax increase! The public system would be properly funded and cost less than all those specialists paying an insurance agency. All the middlemen would be knocked out along with all the waste of administration fees... It takes guts to make that kind of change and it requires that people challenge their own selfishness... so I don't think it will happen in countries that don't have it. Sad really. You have so much to gain.

I live in Canada and I feel that it is becoming more and more like the states and that we will eventually have to pay out for health care. First off it isn't just meds we have to pay for. I have paid for "booking fees, disposable equipment used in testing, rental fees for mental equipment etc" Never mind anything dental and or eye exams and eyeglasses. If you want to see a specialist it could take 6 months to get in and if you live in a rural area you go through more doctors than tissues. I think people don't really want to pay out for other people's problems. We are relatively healthy family that has never really needed much services. I do believe in natural healing when possible and home remedies. Why should my taxes go to treat the man who smoked for 40 years and won't quit even though he has cancer, or the 600 pound woman's treatment for diabetes and needs a scooter yet still eat 6 burgers a day? This sounds cold but I feel many people feel that way. I don't want a system like the states but I feel like we are going in that direction anyway so it is time to be accountable when possible for your own health. Try to live a clean healthy lifestyle. That isn't always going to keep you from a doctor and I would like universal care for things that are out of my control. Basically I think there are problems in our system that need to be address.

i have mixed feelings about this subject. i just cant imagine how we all have evolved into a country that cant take care of its own. i remember when we were first married, 26 years ago, an office call was 17 dollars. The doctor knew your name without looking at a chart, and most of the time took the blood work, or xrays in his office. now, the office call is 130, unless you see a specialist,, and most of the time if its not just a cold or virus, they refer you over,, so its more, they don't even remember you from your last visit, and you have to make a seperate appointment to get blood work or xrays and take more time off work. and we are lucky enough to have some type of insurance (although it is not the greatest). times are so hard for people these days. i cant imagine not having health insurance. Thennnnnn lets see - you go to prison, and you get free health care, even transplants over regular people (they could sue), a free education, a warm place to sleep, and 3 square meals a day. plus a work out facility. crazy. after reading some of these responses i just wish there was something that could help underprivleged, or even us!

I live in Canada...and have traveled through many other countries. In my view Universal Health care should be mandatory in all countries...it should be a basic human right.

I like this topic and feel strongly about this. I am new here and sometimes my thoughts come after I have posted my response. So here goes again..I am appalled that governments do not hesitate to pour millions and billions into their greed and power mongering...wars...and cannot look after their own. There is definitely something wrong with the picture.