Should children, the disabled, and the elderly be entitled free medical care?
By newtalent
@newtalent (1112)
United States
February 14, 2010 10:34am CST
This topic has come up a lot around our social group outside of forums.Most of these individual cannot afford to care for themselves let alone pay for care which becomes an increasing debt to society as whole that has to absorb the cost of these non-payers. A child cannot take care of themselves. A disabled person may not be able to do the same or afford to. The elderly income is below poverty level that they may not be able to care for themselves and live off of their benefits. When these people seek medical attention they usually only do it when they have to and that is usually when it costs the most. Preventive medicine may off set a lot of these fess. I think these fees should affordable. The way I believe Social Security works is they take the last 7 years of work history in consideration.. If you haven't worked then they look for credit elsewhere. What do you think? Should it be free or affordable?
2 people like this
10 responses
@phoenix8606 (4942)
•
14 Feb 10
yeas, it is really heartbreaking to watch somebody suffering, because has no money to buy the medicals he/she needs!
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
15 Feb 10
Yes it is, Not to get off subject but we have a couple of customers that we do not charge and just clean up there yard for free. Or if we have it we will bring food to them when we buy in bulk. Its not much but we try when can.
@Torunn (8607)
• Norway
14 Feb 10
Everyone's entitled to nearly free medical care here, children don't pay anything, the rest of us pay a small amount every time up til a certain limit per year. Of course, this doesn't always work (you might want treatment that the system doesn't pay for, which means you'll have to pay yourself), but most of the times it is quite good. The only thing I don't understand is why teeth aren't a part of your body, you get money back for everything except going to the dentist. Or glasses, I'd say my glasses are more important to me than free vaccines. And more expensive. But apart from that, I'm quite happy with the system.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
14 Feb 10
Wow ,I am complaining about $400.00 for one baby tooth. That's a lot. I have not been as fortunate on my teeth but learned from my mistakes to not believe what one person says when it came to my child. With that high of dental bills maybe a new dentist should be looked at. That amount is quite high. I mean implants are running around $2000.00 a tooth when all said and done. Can you imagine any insurance company paying for that? They would laughs out of the claim and considered it cosmetic. Yes the permanent teeth are quite important. The baby teeth are too. I spent money on a baby tooth and it still gets to me that this lady tried to scare me into trying to get removed, meanwhile she had two other children getting extractions that day. This also made me feel that I should get a second a opinion. Teeth are very important. Thanks for posting.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
14 Feb 10
Dental does seem to be a problem. I had to pay $300.00 for one visit(After so-called insurance co-payment) one time for an exam and because i did not agree the dentist, she refused to work on the child. She wanted to remove her tooth mind you for what I thought was a small cavity because she felt it was best. I went to another dentist for a second, third opinion to find out that it did not need to be removed and the filling has held up for 4 years now. Total cost for this tooth was around $400.00 with 3 dentists later. The first one was expensive, the rest were moderate and compassionate to my experience and concerns plus gave me advice on how to report this act. Glass issues I have not encountered yet. Their insurance for it 100%. Its sad.
@SHAMRACK (8576)
• India
15 Feb 10
Dear friend,
I hope everyone should be given free medical care. That too those people who are really below the certain income level. Moreover it has to be also should be alert or checked whether these facilities or free medical care is not misused. I hope it would be a better idea to give free medical care without misusing that facility. 
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
15 Feb 10
Of course there has to guidelines. I mean, I do not want it to be free for some one that has thousands of dollars in their IRA retirement account that they do not want to cash in. I see that as a whole new topic. As with anything there is going to be consequences for misusing these services. For instance, (this will be a bit off topic), a friend of mine had gone to get food stamps to her by. Her car is paid off, was doing well until she was relived of her duties because of cutbacks. She tried to get a job-no luck. She went to apply for benefits because her car is worth more than there allowance. Go sell your car or go buy another one where there is little to no equity in it and apply again. What is wrong with this picture? Go in debt, we can help. If you can afford the new payment you could afford to feed your family. That is an example of messed up guidelines. But yes guidelines are important for not misusing the services or they will be taken away permanently if they were offered when they do their cutbacks.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
16 Feb 10
I think every government should have free medical care not only for the children and elderly but for any citizen who belongs to the poor class. By poor I mean those who do not have the capacity to pay medical services and medication. For the rich, I think it does not need to be free because anyway they have the money. It should be free for the poor only.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
16 Feb 10
This is a hard subject. There are a number of countries that are indeed in need of of a total overhaul to assist their citizens in their country. But, the finances of the countries do not allow it within their country so they survive the best they can. I admire those that do go over and try to assist those countries but it is such a small handful that it practically does not make a dent. It almost feels a population control tool. A status of a person can change at any time. One open heart surgery or any ailment can make that person destitute if they cannot pay for these services or do have nothing left. Then there are those that have too much pride to ask for any help and do without until they pay for it no matter what the outcome may be. Thank you for voicing your opinion and views.
@pengpengtouch (16)
• China
15 Feb 10
Absolutely yes!we should pay more attention to the people who is disabled and can not afford to their medical rescue.I t is the whole society that counts,the government should pay more attention them.On the other hand,the charity should collect money for them .
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
15 Feb 10
That's a good idea of a charity raising money for them. It would have to be a big charity that had the capabilities to raise money quickly. How would know who gets the benefits first and what amount? It's a hard call but good idea.
@bluevergil (48)
• Indonesia
15 Feb 10
regarding my situation in my country, i better go with affordable.
those kind of people you said above, are not living alone right.
there is always somebody (family) to watch and company them.
so i guess the fee is paid by their family.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
15 Feb 10
True, most do live with someone since it is hard to find housing alone with all the waiting lists. Affordable is better than no options but what is affordable? My parents have like 4 prescriptions that are $25.00 co-pay alone and have ones that are $10.00 co-pay a month. It's expensive when you add it up. But affordable is better than none. They would never qualify for any aid besides there social security since they have equity in their home.
@DeenaD (2684)
• United States
15 Feb 10
Yes, I do think they should be given health insurance by their government in the event that they cannot afford it on their own. Of course it isn't really "free" though, is it? It is paid for by the workers who pay taxes.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
15 Feb 10
Yes, this is paid by taxpayers and it can be costly. Some recipients do pay their fair share of taxes as well depending on their tax bracket. I come from a country that pays mother and the children a monthly stipend as long as they were born there and chose to care for the children. Unfortunately, We left when I was 4/5 and never knew this until recently. Its socialized medicine but I only came across this when my parents became retired with disabilities. Once they retired , they kinda went downhill, heart surgery, a load of medicines, thyroid issues, possible knee replacement but heart not strong enough to support the surgery. It's like, wow, is this really happening? I wanna work until I cannot physically do it anymore. it's scary. thanks for your comment.
@Biomechanoid (2923)
• Estonia
14 Feb 10
I think it should definitely be free of charge. I don't know, if all the services are free for these categories of people in our country, but there are many medical procedures available there for free. Medical care must be free for people that have low (or no) income and the ones that aren't financially backed.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
14 Feb 10
True if can afford then you should be disqualified. We also need funds to fund these events or have doctors that will do these procedures at a lower or no cost fee. These doctors need to paid somehow. I just do not like to see the less fortunate or those faced with high costs of living deciding on what to spend their money on. I mean picking either having shelter, food, or medical, to spend your money on to keep these individuals going. It's sad.
@kaylachan (69712)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
15 Feb 10
I'm a disabled person and I can confirm how difficult it is in this world to get medical care. I'm on a fixed income, and I have medical insurance. I don't have to pay a prenium, but I do have co-pays. Quite often the co-pays are more then I can afford. This is especially true because I have hypoglycemia and have (under doctor's orders) to check my blood sugar three times a day. That adds up after a while, and considering I live in one of the hardest hit states employment isn't easy (and believe me I've tried.)
I am in no way a lazy person, and I didn't chose to develop hypoglycemia. Nor, did I chose to be a blind criple or lose a good chunk of my brain. I'm on a fixed income and live on disability from the u.s government. And, up until last april, I had a job. despite all of that, I still need medical care. And, with the cost of living how it is, affordable for me is free. I wish they did. Because then parents wouldn't have to chose between health care or food, disabled and eldery wouldn't have to do the same.
And yes I'm barely at podverity level.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
15 Feb 10
I am happy to hear that your issues have not prevented you from trying to become a productive member of society. As hard as it may be for you, you still try , that's awesome. I know its hard and any help is greatly appreciated. I wish the best and thanking you for responding by letting others know what they may have not known unless it has happened to them. Take care.
@phoenix8606 (4942)
•
14 Feb 10
hi! yes, i think they should be entitled free medical care, because my opinion is, that we must care for our children, because they are the future, and we also must care for our parents and grandparents, because they have gave all they have so that we can live happy, and I don't think we must leave them, I will say t straight, like dogs, because in many countries elderly people have nothing to eat, because of that, that the have to pay for their expensive medicines. And in England elderly people don't pay nothing for medical care and medicines
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
14 Feb 10
I know its heart wrenching to hear and see these individuals struggling for the basics.I know there's a few resources out there for them but not as many as there should be. I know it's a need basis and 1 cent can throw them over the threshold. I have see where a guy needed a wheel chair (had no strength to push or pull it)and the insurance would only cover 20% becuase his insurance would only cover the non-motorized one 100%. He even went through one of those if we approve and if you don't get approved we will give it you. Its crazy. You will give a person something they cannot use at no cost but cannot give something you can use in the same manner. A waste of money and resources. I know some countries have awesome resources while other need an overhaul. Thank you for posting. It was very informative.
