18,000 Annual Cancer Deaths Due to No Universal Health Care

I'm on the fence with universal health care and I'm someone who can surely use it on one hand. I pay 300.00 a month for my medical insurance but I can't do without it. I like the fact that I can go to doctor's that are amazing and take great care of me, for that I'm grateful and they are worth paying the insurance money for. I don't have to wait months for an appointment and they treat me well. I have heard that Canadian's (from people who live there) have some major problems with their universal health care programs such as waiting for months to see a doctor and poor quality, inconsiderate care. They only way you are seeing a doctor fast is if there is what they deem as an emergent situation that needs rapid attention. They kind of filter your status through their system. It doesn't sound very appealing or effective to me but then again it is free. You do get what you par for in most situations. Keeping that in mind- do we really need the government dictating more than they already do another thing to us. I'm not totally against it and I'm not totally for it- I'm trapped in the middle somewhere. I don't at all agree with the title (article) of this discussion and I know you didn't write that but here goes..Cancer deaths are not due to the lack of no universal health care. They are linked to a disease that there is no cure for. The ACS should concentrate on working with stem cells for a cure instead of blaming cancer on everything they can blame it on. Studies have shown that it is basically a genetic disease to boot. The only thing quite possibly that universal health care can handle is cancer screening and treatment of the disease. But whose to say that even if there was universal health care that people would get themselves screened for various cancers and/or seek treatment for that matter. The only thing that is killing people with cancer is the lack of a cure not the health care system whichever way it goes. Great debate I have to say, you come up with some great stuff my dear.

I am actually prettu suprised that this number is not higher. Nearly every wealthy country in the world has a universal healthcare plan, and it is about time that the United States does as well. And since this was posted under politics I also have to point out that Clinton wants universal health care for all American's while Obamas plan though very good, would still leave 15 million Americans without covereage.

insurance helps, it really helps but that's not the view of everybody especially the poor, or they may think that way but due to unfortunate circumstance they cannot afford the high value of getting an insurance. we know how hard it is to get and maintain health insurance due to high premium which ordinary people cannot afford for every member of their family. so in as much as they want to get security they fail to.

I think it is very sad that around 75% of countries in this world have universal health. I do not understand why we can not have the same. There are so many families in the US who do not have coverage of any kind. Some have jobs who do not offer insurance, or it is so high they can not afford it. Health care used to be a big issue during presidential campagnes, but has taken a back seat to other issues. We could all take care of ourselves, taking every measure through a healthy lifestyle, but that does not ensure we will not have medical problems down the road. I know of two states that do have a good program for school aged kids. They are covered until they are 18. It is very good insurance and very affordable. Alabama and Florida have this program, I do not know of any more. It is a shame these programs can not inlist coverage for parents as well. I was listening to the 'Today show' and they were having a segment about Americans having to move to Canada just to have health coverage.