Comments for Doctors Debate Universal Health Care: Pros and Cons From the Experts at http://familydoctormag.com , comment 1 to 103 out of 20 comments http://familydoctormag.com Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:25:04 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-264 I worked in health care for 25 years, and my experience led me to strongly support efforts to develop a universal health care program in the USA. A recent personal experience has strengthened my resolve to support this legislation. In January, I had foot surgery at a Holland, Michigan, outpatient surgery center. I was in and out of the center in three hours, but the center billed Medicare more than $26,000 for its services. This amount does not include the surgeon’s fees, anesthesiology or medical equipment. Of course, Medicare didn't pay that amount - they paid the center $2,084, which seems about right for the services provided. Would I have been responsible for paying this exorbitant charge if it had been denied by Medicare? I wonder, based on my sister’s similar experience recently. She went to an urgent care center for her son's school athletic exam. The center advertised $45 for the exam, but when she went to pay, the center told her they would bill her insurance. Rather than $45, the center billed her insurance $150. In her case, the insurance denied the charge and she had to pay the $150 rather than $45 as she had been originally quoted. Medical costs need controls. I don't see how this will be accomplished without universal health care. Please support our President in his efforts to pass some kind of bill to protect the public’s right to affordable health care. - Roberta Richardson Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:30:19 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-260 Bethany richest country is chosen the GDP of the country, which we are rank one. It is not chosen by how rich the government is - brian Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:54:39 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-259 Why does everyone think that America is the richest nation in the world?! DOn't you know that we are so in debt that we can never get ourselves out of it? The only thing that makes us better than other nations is that we have lots of nuclear weapons. So PLEASE stop saying we are a rich country! It's making me sick! - Bethany Wed, 24 Feb 2010 07:50:22 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-258 Sooo I watche Michael Moores SICKO movie last week and i was deeply moved. It talkes about universal health care in other countries such as europe and canada... EVEN CUBA!!! Its true we are the RICHEST country in the world, but we are the MOST SELFISH and GREEDY as well. I think with money comes greed, and greed comes selfishness!! IF we all werent sooo selfish and cared for our country than we SHOULD have UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE because that would make our country even more stronger!! I believe there is good in all people and that we should all come together as a nation regardless of the tax increase, or why should i pay for someones medical bill because they are smokers or what not. THINk about it, the people that do this to there selves well eventually wilt away, but THEY too are paying for everyone else. We are a chain, that supports one another! we need each other!! WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!!! - Kristina Ayala Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:29:31 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-253 i was sam by the way - sabrina Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:10:45 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-252 its not gonna help us it's only going to make things worse. I igree with doctor o'shea coverage is not the same as health care. People think that just because it's free it's good but it isn't. The sooner we figure this out the better - sam Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:06:09 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-248 U.S.A. is the richest country in the world. With that said, how do poor European countries provide free universal healthcare? - Victor Thu, 11 Feb 2010 23:51:34 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-243 im fifteen years old. dont ignore this comment only because of that fact though. all that american adults seem to be worried about right now is money. people say that jobless people are lazy and all they need to do is get up and get a job. what those people WITH jobs dont realize is that they CANT. america is in a recession. companies are constantly laying off more and more people. what makes you think that if they have to lay people off then they can just turn around and hire more people? it doesnt happen. imagine this scenario if you will: two men are driving down the road after work. both are going home to a wife and two children. one man can afford health insurance. the other cannot. suppose they got in a crash and both were horribly injured. does the uninsured man deserve to suffer simply because he cant afford insurance? exluding people from medical help only because they cant pay for insurance is barbaric. maybe im young and naiive, but i dont understand why the government doesnt just tax the richer people who actually CAN afford to pay the taxes. here are movie stars and famous singers spending hundreds of dollars on botox and perfume. really? have a heart. adults need to get off their high horses and think about other people instead of themselves for a change. if can barely afford to pay the taxes you have right now, thats understandable. but you can really afford to sit by a pool all day sipping on drinks simply because you can pretend to be someone else? take some of that stored away money that your never going to use in your lifetime and help other people who cant even afford the luxery of a shower every day. you always tell us teenagers to grow up. why dont you watch some of us for a day? we care about other people. not just money. maybe adults need to take us as an example and open your damn cold hearts. - Bethany Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:10:02 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-238 I agree that some sort of Universal Healthcare system needs to be in place for all. I would like to respond to the comments made by some that it is all about greed. The reason most hospitals charge so much for healthcare is that they usually see only a fraction of the charge. Next time you go the the doctor and your insurance company sends you the explanation of benefits, look and see what the hospital charged and what they were actually paid. If they charged what would be considered reasonable, they would not make enough to stay open and no one would have access. Also, if you think the physicians are greedy for charging $80-$100 to walk through the door (or $125-$250 for the specialty clinic I work for) think about what they do. They are in school for at least 8 years, and then fellowship, depending on specialty, for several more years. They are expected to be up to date on the latest information, so they have to spend money to continue their education, and the conferences they attend are not cheap. They also have to pay for malpractice insurance (which is un-Godly expensive) in case someone decides that they don't like the doc and want to sue. They hold a person's life and health on the line with every decision they make and are expected to always make the right decision. Wouldn't you expect to be paid well for this? I agree that there is greed in the healthcare system, but I think, I think the horrendous cost is multi-factoral and much blame lies on the insurance companies. I also say that we, as a people, need to be accountable for our own health and take care of ourselves. We all know what we need to do to be healthy and we should do it! - AA Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:27:14 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-237 I have always heard that Americans are shelfish. I didn't know to this extent. I was born and raised an Australian, we have UHC. I, and many people I know would never dream of going to America. Your doctors run for profits, and most of you are actually backing them. I worked in a Doctors surgery for most of my life. There has never been a wait for more than a day for a paitent who needs to see a doctor. I think that those of you who have written comments about UHC should actually read more about it... as you have no idea. You will not go poor from the tax that goes into UHC. But I do find you all very shelfish, you would prefer to see a child or adult die from not getting health care, than spend a few extra dollars on your health care. Sick!!! Maybe that is why Michael Moore produced the movie SICKO, maybe you should all watch it and try to understand that your recent system does not run as well as the rest of the world and actually spends to most in any County! - Michelle Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:48:30 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-232 I am an Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist for the USA. I was the oldest Gold Medalist in the 2004 Olympics. I have taken care of myself and found myself in an emergency room recently for labored breathing. I found out that I have become allergic to eating shellfish. I literally was unable to breath. I received oxygen, chest x-ray, EKG, an IV and was in the hospital for a little over an hour. I just received the bill in the mail for USD 5,000.00 Yes, that is right five thousand dollars! I am outraged at our greed from the medical community that has handcuffed us while they line their pockets. Something has to change FAST! - Kevin Burnham Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:26:06 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-224 Thank goodness, yes, GOODNESS, I was born in Canada. Such selfishness... it makes me despair for you all. - Elaine Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:20:32 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-219 The problem with our health care system is not all to blame on the insurance companies. Lets start with the doctors who charge $80 to $100 to walk in the door just to talk to them before an necessary testing is done. Then lets talk about the high cost of malpractice insurance. And he talk about the pharmacuetical companies and so on. And why must everyone complain about helping to provide health care for the young, old, and uninsured. Do you complain about food stamps, AFDC, HUD, and the other programs that your tax dollars pay for? I have been on food stamps and AFDC and guess what I worked too. I paid my tax dollars in. Yes there are people out there that abuse these programs but if you have a social program there will always be those that abuse it. That doesn't mean we throw the people who need it under the bus. the solution is to lower malpractice costs, pay every doctor a monthly salary, and make sure that there are enough providers to handle the patients. I love the United States wouldn't want to live any where else however I do feel that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer and that is what is worng with our great country. - Christy Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:59:10 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-218 I may sound ignorant, but what if I just don't care about anybody but those important to me (and myself)? What if the current healthcare system works for me and this will just bring me down? I'm tired of money leaking from my paycheck to pay for other people. Its dog eat dog, and I don't fit moralities into the equation. - agbcyuacgujcg Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:08:27 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-217 I had the opportunity to read many of the remarks on the subject of universal Health Care. It is interesting to reflect that most if not all opinions are the result of influence from some one other than the writer. Both pros and cons reflect on cost,quality of physician care, unwillingness to support the poor, prejudices against those who are not part of our country (IE illegal immigrants). All of these pros and cons utilize arguments directly against/for such issues. In my opinion,special interest groups influence our Congress to pass laws not necessarily for the good of us the constituents but in support of the special interest groups, since they provide large amounts of money for reelection efforts. It does not seem possible that universal Health Care would affect us monetarily or health wise. it would appear the sole reason universe care is objected to is it would reduce if not eliminate the ungodly profit insurance companies enjoy. I suspect the arguments from the insurance companies relate to loss of jobs in the insurance industry and thus loss of monetary support for reelection of Congressmen and Senators as well as general disruption of our economy. The bottom line tells me that universal Health Care is an necessity for our society. We continue to supply exhobant profits to insurance companies, we can no longer afford to give our money to those who seek only profit, we need to protect our citizens in any way possible and that certainly includes education as well as treatment. Medical Care needs to be a relationship between a Dr. and his/her patient and not the Dr.as regulated by insurance companies. I have experienced the pain of being released from a hospital prior to physically having the strength to leave because of dictates of insurance companies. This is not the only violation of the trust of their customers and of this I'm certain. Insurance companies serve only himself and do not have concern for comer health Over the years insurance costs continue to rise while medical care continues to suffer. Please do the research yourself and try to eliminate any prejudice or bias, instead concentrate on your fellow Americans, this country can return to the greatness and mutual care for all as it existed many years ago. We need each other (the world is not about you),for existence relies on mutual support. It won't work if mine, your or any interest is above our collective well being. - Norb Janiszewski Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:51:19 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-214 Regardless of whether we have private insurance or UHC we will have to pay for it! As of right now many people would say that health care should be between a person and their physician and the government shouldn't be involved. When in reality, with our current system, health care isn't between a person and their doctor, it's between a person and their INSURANCE COMPANY!!! Why should people be denied insurance because of preexisting conditions? Why should people be turned away from a hospital because they can't afford it? Why should people suffer while others profit? UHC works in many countries; Wait times are lower; Infant mortality rates are lower; People are in turn healthier and require less visits to the doctor. And the financial aspect does not hurt the working class because it evens out in the end. The transition won't be easy but it will be worth it in the long run. Many of the problems that people see with UHC are not solely to blame on what UHC is, but how it interacts with programs and systems already in place. Things have to change in order for this to work efficiently. We can't just plop UHC into place without changing programs, systems, and plans that are already in place. When we evolve the entire system, begin to change everything for the betterment of all Americans, that is when UHC will be undoubtedly better than private insurance. For those of you who have an opinion that is so quickly given without the consideration of others, please do some more research and really take a hard look at what we have now and how it is affecting our nation and our people, ALL of our people. Because in the end it's not who utilizes the system more and for what reason, it's that the system is even there to begin with, that it's there when we need it, when we all need it. - Hugh B. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:46:55 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-211 My friend and I joined the U.S Marines about 6 months ago. We leave for basic in June. We were told our starting salaries and they were around 1,200 a month. That was 6 months ago. Our recruiter told us that in UHC does go into effect then our salaries go from 1,200 a month to around 950 a month. My parents make about 800 a month each. They struggle just to pay the bills. My parents aren't the only ones who struggle. Then I look at a few of my neighbors. One of them is on food stamps but he can afford to drive a brand new corvett with full coverage. They live in a two story house and to my knowlage they don't have a job. Now, if UHC does pass, then people like them are going to benefit and people like me and my family are going to struggle even more. - Benny Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:00:43 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-205 To those who see increased cost in universal health care, do you not see costs escalating now with our current system? Do you honestly think that's going to stop? To those who think our medical access is so great now, have you ever tried to book an appt. for a mammogram? Try five-six months out in Los Angeles--WITH insurance. Sick child to see his PCP? At least 2-3 days--IF you can get through the office staff to make an appt.--WITH insurance. This is so great? For this we pay $900/mo. for family coverage? I don't get what's so great about this. Yes, there will always be free-loaders, just as there will always be tax-cheats. Does that mean we deny coverage to children born with birth defects? To accident victims? To people who happened to develop cancer or cardiac problems despite living a healthy lifestyle? (you'll always have the smoker who lives to be 100, never a sick day in his life). University in other countries is often free to those smart enough to get in. Doctors can work for lower salaries because they have no student debt load--or huge malpractice premiums. The U.S. system only works for those who are rich and lucky enough to be born with the right genes. - Grey Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:48:55 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-201 we have become a nation divided....because we let the people we elected to serve us ,rob us .... healthcare should be like a library....free to all... the best healthcare in the U.S. is given to people like senators and congressmen, AND it's run by the GOVT. !!! do you think they pay a deductible ?? i wouldn't wish my worst enemy would go to a V.A. hospital....the care there is HORRIBLE !!! my uncle was a marine who fought in korea for his country...i know first hand what goes on in that mess !! PEOPLE, OUR WORST ENEMIES GET BETTER CARE THAN OUR HEROS !!!! the poeple who were at the world trade center ( our heros ) are suffering with terrible health problems while the people who did the bombings are given excellent heath care !!! why ? because the world is watching !!! it's our greedy, careless elected officials who are profiting from our suffering !! they WORK FOR US !!! but we are making them RICH !! healthcare should be free as well as education.....the only people who disagree are the ones who benefit from the profits. i have been to france, and despite all the smoking and drinking that goes on there, the people are healthier than us AND live longer...the only difference is they DONT worry about good healthcare....they get it, but we get stress schools used to be free,( yes, in THIS country !! ) until these polititians stopped it...the very same ones who benefitted from a free college education !!! when you speak of your taxes supporting some people who wont take care of themselves, it sounds stupid ! people who smoke or drink or who are fat...lets take it further, how about people who swim or use sugar ? maybe we should outlaw wine....no more communion...you could drown if you swim, you could trigger diabetes if you eat sugar, etc. as for benefitting poor people, medicare AND medicaid SUCKS !!!! RICH PEOPLE DO NOT COME HERE FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION UNLESS ITS PLASTIC SURGERY !! RICH PEOPLE FROM THE U.S. GO TO MEXICO FOR EXSPENSIVE SURGERIES !!!! IT ONLY TAKES ONE SMALL STEP TO BE DESTITUTE BECAUSE OF MEDICAL BILLS !!! THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD GO I.... OR YOU !!! AS A BORN AND RAISED HERE AMERICAN I SAY WE NEED TO STOP BEING DIVIDED AND COME TOGETHER FOR THIS !!!!! - D. Jackson Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:01:54 +0100 http://familydoctormag.com/doctors-office/194-doctors-debate-universal-health-care-pros-and-cons-from-the-experts.html#comment-200 I find it funny how people believe that people will actually become healthier if we get UHC. Do you not realize that people will literally have to wait MONTHS for transplants that could have regularly been done within days? The taxes will be soaring if this goes into affect & I'm reasonably sure that most people can't afford this, especially if they can't afford healthcare. Not everything's free & not everything works. I think it's time that we realize this. - Lizi Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:08:43 +0100