United States Centric - The Healthcare Debate of the past several decades
Every other comparable nation (Japan, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Denmark, etc.) has a healthcare system where taxes are levied and then people are covered for medical expenses. The United States does not and has a system of private for profit corporations using "Health Insurance". We have elements of these other nations for the old "medicare" but for what ever reason people reject the notion of expanding that to all American citizens.
1. This is personal to me, I was born and have suffered through life with various hereditary conditions. I spend a lot of time at doctor offices and hospitals for exams and tests or to get prescriptions. I can do nothing about it, I exercise and diet to get into athletic shape, but without my meds my body would shut down within 5-7 days and I would die in agony. It haunts me and is my greatest fear.
2. I work for a massive company, so I get health insurance which I pay a large amount to have. I give $400/month to reduce the cost of living with my conditions to a manageable level. Keep in mind I still regularly have to pay hundreds in deductibles and co-pays. I am, in a sense, a luck one because I earn a living and have a place of employment that affords me this.
3. If I were to be laid off for any reason my entire life would be in a tail spin if I couldn't find work comparable to what I have now. I've been there for a decade and do good work, but 2008 saw massive lay offs of good people. Another recession could be a disaster. If I lost health insurance my medical expenses could easily go to $40,000 to $80,000 a year depending if I had episodes. Devastating my finances and my husband's finances as no amount of planning could make that sustainable over the rest of my life. The number one source of bankruptcy in the US is medical expenses.
4. I hear about individuality and how it "isn't fair" that people like me take more than healthy people. That I am a burden on society and be better off if I died. I didn't choose to be born, to develop my health issues, and I've done all I can to offset them. I've nearly died on four occasions related to these problems. I've been in agony for hours on dozens of occasions. No one who pays in and never uses medicine would want to trade places with me. I would give all my money in a heartbeat to be free and healthy.
5. It comes down to what we as a society value and how we view freedom. Over and over I see military expenditures justified regardless of deficit consequences because we must protect our people to be free. Yet, when it comes to the health and well being people are often pitted against one another while numerous companies rake in massive profits. If any of these numerous companies raised prices I'm helpless to say no.
My question to anyone who thinks I'm wrong is to explain to me why you're okay with our current system? What is it about Canada or Germany that worries you so much? Do you dislike Medicare? If your taxes were raised exactly what you spend on health insurance is that a fair trade? If not is there a number less than that would be for you? I'm sure there can other objections and feel free to state them. I'll try to not get too emotional, but it is personal to me.
