Comments on: Health Care Reform vs Compulsory Health Insurance

By: Nihilist127

Nihilist127 — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:06:22 +0000

Isn’t it my right to not buy health care coverage if I do not want it?

By: aiyic

aiyic — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:51:29 +0000

Aha – the catch!

Don’t get why Americans can’t see that paying insurance companies for healthcare, is pretty much the same as paying for it through tax. It’s myth that one has choice in USA, but if you get through your employment, they choose the cheapest. And in small local towns, monopolies are rife.

If you do have a heart-attack, see how much freedom you have to choose companies come renewal time. No such problem here. I’m Irish, and was shocked at the amount of pharma ads; higher costs.

By: 1000jrb

1000jrb — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:30:50 +0000

I’m a Canadian, and while I admit there are some issues with our system, mainly in wait times for non-life threatening operations, I am still very happy to live in a country which does have a “socialized” health care system. Some services should not be “for profit”. Police, firefighters, and military come to mind in addition to health care.

By: zthustra

zthustra — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:39:11 +0000

One of the effects of Health Care Reform is that in the future insurance companies will have to accept ALL applications and will not be able to exclude preexisting condition. I haveno idea how preexisting conditions will affect rates but I’m guessing that they won’t even be able to ask.

Amen! Paying for insurance will be just like paying taxes only private companies will profit.

Amen! People without employer coverage will pay through the nose! Mandates on employers are being reduced.

By: zthustra

zthustra — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:12:44 +0000

Sure, just like its your right to travel at your own risk without auto insurance. Or, to live in a house without electricity or running water. Or, to grow vegetables in your front yard instead of shrubs and grass. And, to consume or smoke any plant you want. Also, to educate, or not educate your kids.

By: zthustra

zthustra — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:44:47 +0000

Thank you so much for a Canadian view. I was really hoping to get comments from Canadians.

By: Nihilist127

Nihilist127 — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:12:06 +0000

Oh wait that’s right… my rights shrink with every presidency. I must have forgotten. Silly me.

By: zthustra

zthustra — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:15:39 +0000

It’s funny, but in America people seem to be unaware how hard insurance companies work to avoid insuring high-risk people and to avoid paying when you need medical care.

Michael Moore’s film Sicko should have been a wake-up call but conservatives shrug him and others off like nothing they publish is real.

Thank you so much for the Norwegian comment. Norway might be squeezing the lemon to hard. But, you still have oil and low population so maybe you can afford it.

By: zthustra

zthustra — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:01:29 +0000

Socialism. Yes, we socialize some services like law enforcement, fire protection, education, postal service, and road maintenance without ever admitting it. But then we cry SOCIALISM like it was a curse word when it comes to Health Care Reform.

What Americans fail to recognize is that the propozed Health Care Reform doesn’t even vaguely resemble socialism; it is more like facism-lite. I would prefer a free-market but that doesn’t exist in the US, except in drug trafficing and prostitution..

By: zthustra

zthustra — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:55:38 +0000

I wish I knew the answer. I was active in the Libertarian Party for many years but I don’t see social change moving in that direction.

I’m not as uncomfortable with true socialized medicine like they have in Europe as I am with regulated health care environment of the US where certain people and inovative practices are excluded to ensure profits for others and protect the status quo practices of the industry.