Are you sick of America's health care system?

I just watched Michale Moore's movie, Sicko and I'm sick to my stomach.

I live in a 3rd world country and even by our standards, America's healthcare system is cruel and discrimanatory. The rich and the poor don't get treated equally.

Here's the proposal:


Your thoughts on this?

 

I disagree with 2. The universal heath cover is to ensure those that need medical assistance recieve it, not to make everyone use it against thier will.

if people want to insure themselves so that when they have thier apendix out they get a private room, cable TV and 4 star meals they should be able to. But there needs to be a system in place where if you need to have you apendix out you can, even if you are unable to pay for it, so long as you don't mind eating fairly grim meals and sharing a ward.

 

and here's a few facts for people to ponder:

http://sickothemovie.com/checkup/

SiCKO: There are nearly 50 million Americans without health insurance.
SiCKO: 18,000 Americans will die this year simply because they're uninsured.

 

You're judging America's healthcare system from the movie "Sicko"? lol

 

The existence of health insurance companies is against everything that health-care stands for. They make profit by denying health-care, not giving it.

Have you ever had a vital treatment denied by your insurance company because the treatment was "experimental" or "not necessary"? (they have to meet the 10% rejection quota) and some of these rejections have killed people

Have you ever had your insurance application denied because you were "too thin" or "too fat"? Ever went bankrupt because you suddenly learned that you have cancer?

 

Criticizing it. I've lived in America for 4 1/2 years and I know how the system works.

 

Got anything factual about the movie to say, other than the usual right wing drivel and whining that you don't like Michael Moore?

 

Over here they are £7.20 (about $10), regardless what they actually cost and regardless how many you get. We pay for a prescription over here, not the medication. So if a doctor says you need something, from cancer drugs to ear drops, it costs £7.20. Unless you are pregnant, unemployed, retired or welsh. then it's completely free.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlDAUKSh9CQ&feature=player_embedded

 

BTW, stox, I think our health-care systems are a lot alike, your country and mine.

Here, everybody has the right to health-care. If they want a nice cosy private room, with super 5-star hotel treatment, then they can go to a private hospital where they will pay $ for all of that. No insurance needed still.

 

No we have never had any of those problems with our health insurance. Which is why the problem isn't with "health insurance", the problem is with some health insurance companies not paying out on things they are contracted to pay out on.

 

People don't think our health care needs major reform because they haven't been screwed by it yet.

The first time they are denied care or face bankruptcy due to medical bills they might think different.

The first time they begin to wish they had some form of affordable health care option while they are between jobs they may think different.

Until something like that happens, they're ok with things the way they are and calling anything but the status quo socialism.

 

health care needs some changing but the changes itself could be too fast and too much for americans that are used to health care as it is now.

 

No, the problem is not with health insurance companies not paying out on things they are contracted for. They will approve your insurance application but the moment you get sick, they'll look at the tiniest thing to find a loophole so that they won't have to pay you.

You have to understand that these companies make money by denying service, not providing it. (you don't see a problem here really?)

Let's say there's an experimental drug that can treat cancer. Do you think these companies will pay for it? or give excuses so that they'll keep their profit? By law and by their contract, they're not obligated to fund these experimental treatments.

 

Then that is what has to change. Abolishing health insurance on that basis is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Regulations need to be in place which ensure they pay out on things they have agreed to pay out on.

Of course they are there to make money, but they are, over here at least, contractually obliged to provide the service thery agreed to provide. Over here i have never, not once, heard of a single person being refused cover by thier insurers. Again, the problem isn't with health insurance, the problem is how they are regulated and thier conduct, And it's that which needs to change.

If the cover you signed up for excludes unproven experimental drugs or proceedures then no, they wont pay for it. Just like my internet provider wont make me breakfast, it's not what i signed up for and it's not what they provide.