USA healthcare plans

I must admit I'm not into the whole bill, all I know is that Obama wants to make sure everyone gets some sort of healthcare insurance. Why are there so many protests about this? Isn't this a good thing?

image: m1dzto0aulx8
Comments
74
health is bad mmmkay...
image: WhalesMomBaby


save whales!
USA use a different system but I guess you already knew it. -> some ppl dont like changes
Perhaps they don't like paying taxes?
yes, now poor ppl also has to pay more even if they heathy
Parent
Didn't actually know how horrible system they use until today. People without jobs don't get health insurances and without insurance you don't basically get any health care.
Watch "Sicko".
Parent
And realise how awful it is?
Parent
Not saying anything about that, is is just somewhat related to this topic...
Parent
Michael Moore has been caught paying reporters to create fake news reports. Lying to make a political statement that you believe will benefit mankind is not okay.
Parent
I am aware of his ways + I didn´t say that it is truth, just mentioned because it is somewhat related to this issue. No need to attack me, I am not taking any sides.
Parent
its even worse.
ive heard from many people already, if somebody is lying on the floor, maybe even unconscious, people in the us usually step over those poor guys and stuff like that.
nobody cares and no hospital will ever help you if you dont have a private insurance
Parent
Norway ftw!
That healthcare system is expensive and will go from the pockets of the taxpayers thats why people protest.
The timing isnt the best rly it being recession and all... You have to remember aswell that the majority of Americans are liberals and that they sure will not like a rise in taxation.
americans arent used to a healthcare system they dont realise how much good it will do for them untill they are very ill and cant pay for a treatment :{
Some politicians in the VS hold shares in Health Insurance Companies. If their function disappears, then they lose money. All of the other reasons mentionned is just public talk so the people don't think their government is corrupt.
there's a few reasons why.

1) people will abuse doctors
when they get a cold they might go to the doctors just because they can and it's nearly free.

this will make it nearly impossible for the really sick people to go to the doctors

2) taxes
yay i get to pay more money for other peoples' benefit. not my fault people made bad choices in life

3) limitations on coverage
we're gonna be forced to use a universal health plan. this limits certain coverages, such as end life comforts. if you get cancer or something and are going to die, they won't cover certain things to keep you comfortable while you lie on your deathbed. instead they think "oh you're gonna die anyways so who cares what you feel like right before you do?"

at least this is all that my mom told me, and she's a doctor.
yeah its pretty much true.. plus we have a lot of poor ignorant people who will abuse the system.. im all for people getting free healthcare but only the ones that need it and wont abuse it because they refuse to work and get a job and be lazy
Parent
1) If that happens then Americans have proven to be ignorant. Free healthcare has been there in the UK for over 50 years and I have never heard of them having any of these problems. Use common sense. Even here, where healthcare isn't completely free (but a million times cheaper than in the US) we get ads about the flu and colds. That they can't be treated and going to the doctor for one is just as ignorant as trying to buy pants in a car shop.

2) Yes, because people get to decide whether they get cancer or not... Unless you meant you can't afford health insurance? Well then, perhaps you should wake up, even if you have a health insurance chances are likely whatever you may have that it won't be included in your contract and you're still fucked. Let's see you talk when you're in the hospital with some rare disease that obviously won't be covered since it's too expensive. Oh and just fyi, if the taxes get too much to pay then blame the wars you've been fighting for decades now, THERE is where the real money goes to.

3) Some more speculative nonsense. Everyone gets treated the same, even those that are dying. Or should I say, especially those that are dying.

Of course all of this is assuming that the change is somewhat like what they have in the UK.
Parent
1) ok

2) i am not poor.

3) if u got diagnosed with cancer, and you were in pain, wouldn't you want morphine or something to ease your last hours?

well that's an example of something that your health care wouldn't help you with, because you're gonna die anyways.
Parent
2) So? Like I said, I'd like to see if you get an injury or disease or whatever that is not covered in your insurance policy (which is quite likely) You'd have to pay it all and I doubt you'd be happy about it.

3) As far as I know, people DO get painkillers and stuff when they are in pain as that is medically required unless the patient refuses said medication.

Unless your government decides to be retarded and not do this, which is possible, you might get stuck with that yeah. But don't blame the system, blame the people who configured it badly, since it has been working smoothly and as good as without complaints in MOST industrial countries.
Parent
lol your 2nd argument :D

your quite a selfish guy...
Parent
i was just repeating what my mother said.

it's not that i believe it, it's just that i feel it's important to represent to you europeans what the american public is thinking, not what i personally think.
Parent
If that's what your mother is thinking then she's a fucking retard. Sorry but it's true.
Parent
No, think about it. If people make bad decisions, then WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY? Seriously? I don't consider myself a selfish person, but why should I give my hard-earned money away to other people? If I want to help out people I can give my money to charity or something, but the government should not be able to force me to pay for other people's expenses. It doesn't matter if it's selfish or not, it's about what a government should be allowed or not allowed to do.
Parent
how american.
Parent
So you believe a government should have the power to force you to give your money to someone else? How German.
Parent
pretty much yea
Parent
If people have an accident, and they are unable to work anymore for the rest of their lives cause they're for example paralysed, then you think they made the wrong decision in life? How fucking ignorant can you get?
Parent
point proven :D

never heard of altruïsm :p
Parent
2nd argument is what I think is wrong with the general thinking of America :/
Every man for himself.
Parent
thats called extremist liberalism and is subscribed by young people who never rly went deeper into where it leads to.
Parent
well all i have heard from the american "health system" is just ridiculous ur whole social system is compared to most other industrialised states of the world sitauted in the stown age! u can compete with some central african states for the more shitty system.
or is it the "american dream" to safe huge amounts of money for a unforseeable future of ur health? or rather wasting all ur money at the time u got it? man plz use your ignorant dumb selfish brains, this system isnt made for hypochondrians - which u ever will have but who gives a fuck on this not even noticable minority? in 30 years u'll heil obama for doing this change, since u obviously dont have a clue how EXPENSIVE health care is, when u have to pay it all for yourself even a small package of some medicine ie. for ur heart can cost a incredible amount of money. and dont forget u still have to pay ur whole life, house rent (oh wait.. u americans prefer houses to overpriced credit conditions), food and so on.

i have seen a few reportages how a handfull of doctors are touring on the eastcoast from city to city just trying to medicate ppl who havent been to a doc for years/decades, since they cant efford it. if it just would have been a handfull of ppl i wouldnt give a shit on them, but suddenly hundrets of ppl per town - most got a job, were there. if this is the system u prefer ur a really poor and braindead guy/nation. keep spending billions of $ in useless wars to proof ur global strength - but obviously this is what some/many are considering as more important as (their own) health care.

e:
image: image-70761-galleryV9-ijkc
image: image-70760-galleryV9-rlbg

:'D
Parent
Last I checked, the incumbent President of the European Council is affiliated with a religious party, what's up there hypocrite?
Parent
like we can elect him or have ANY influence on this! srsly dont call me hypocrite! tbh in europe u cant win election by spamming "in god i trust" bullshit! so plz.. or did we europeans started war with our president saying "god told me to do so and they have weapons of mass destruction - oh wait i lied in the 2nd part, but who cares, as long as god told me :O"

its not the europeans which are mainly blinded by religious beliefs!

in ger we say to guys like u "who is sitting in a glass house, shouldnt throw stones"
Parent
16.1% of Americans have no religious affiliation, including myself. I'd say about half of Americans don't vote based on religion. I also know many rational, intelligent people that are religious. You see the dumbasses because they're obvious. Rationalism doesn't sell newspapers. Get your shit straight before insinuating that all Americans are religious rednecks. You're doing a large disservice to the world by spreading your ignorant hate. Fuck off please.
Parent
Yeah, but he doesn't spam religious bullshit OR in any way mix religion with politics. No. He keeps them strictly separated as it should be (since like the 19th century which is at about the foundation date of said country from which the EU President is from.)

Before you even start to argue, make sure you know your stuff or it will only backfire.

The name indeed derives from Christianity and used to be quite involved with religious stuff, but that was like a hundred years ago. If he would use a religious statement in any of his speeches then it would be broadcasted and the votes would plummet.

We, unlike Americans, don't take bullshit.
Parent
Yes, because ALL Americans are gun-toting, bible-thumping rednecks, just like all Polish people live in houses with no roof. You're seriously a fucking tool if you think most Americans are like that. Go back to watching whatever slanted news TV you've been watching.

Get YOUR shit straight before you condemn an entire country of 300 million people.
Parent
50% of the American people believe in Creationism.

'Nuff said, point illustrated.
Parent
Doesn't take into account all the people that believe in creationism but also accept evolution, John Paul II himself said that "evolution is no longer a mere hypothesis." You can also quote me in saying that you are a racist and the world would be a better place without people like you.
Parent
1) Lol wtf are you talking about, sorry. In Germany there is a healthcare system for ages and never heard one of my friends saying: "Oh ye, I got a cold, have to see the doc, if he can help, it doesn't cost anything so let's go!". Even if this isn't your opinion but your moms then I assume she is scared of having to work longer, additionally she didn't talk to someone who has experience with a "nearly free" health care system.

2) Other peoples benefit? It's for YOUR benefit as well. Or can you be 100% sure you won't get any shitty disease? Health is not always about wrong decisions, you can live as healthy as you can and still get some shitty disease. My aunt who passed away sadly 20 years ago was a woman who didn't make any unhealthy "decisions", didn't help her at all when she got breastcancer and died from it. But at least she could try to get herself cured, thanks to the health care system.

3) At least here in Germany you get the morphine you mentioned against the pain if you are going to die. Thanks to our healthcare! So I do not really get how there would be any limitations? Some things in Germany are limited, indeed, so I have to pay for certain medicine myself, but nothing lifesaving or necessary stuff in extreme situations like you mentioned, afaik.
Parent
Quotei was just repeating what my mother said.

it's not that i believe it, it's just that i feel it's important to represent to you europeans what the american public is thinking, not what i personally think.


american's aren't exactly the same as germans, too.
Parent
I think one of the American problems is that you rather have the illusion of freedom instead of being really free.
Parent
It's common in every countries. If something changes, it will instantly be criticised by the population.
Obama's idea is quite intresting, it might help most of the minorities in US.
But what pauz just said must be considered in his plans.
The proposed bill is designed to subsidise the insurance industry, but will instead destroy it and, in turn, place a massive burden on the American tax payer. Socialised health care has the unsurprising habit of becoming a black hole for money for many reasons such as moral hazard, lack of a profit motive, etc.

This debate on health care reform is quite interesting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIfsGL_2Zo8

I think Epstein more or less demolishes the commie.
Exactly. The biggest thing to look at is lack of profit motive. Look at the existing medicaid government healthcare and see how easy it is to cheat or scam the system. The government doesn't care if they lose money to scammers because it is not their money they are losing, it's the people's. In almost every aspect of government run programs there is excessive waste because the program is not structured like a business to cut costs. The whole thing becomes bloated and inefficient simply because the government has no motivation to structure it like a for-profit and maximize the efficiency and minimize the cost. The end result is that the taxpayer has to shell out more of their money for benefits that they are not getting.
Parent
That's a valid argument, and probably the only argument to vote NO on this bill. But think of the huge amount of people getting their lives saved because of this.
Parent
who cares, its the us anyway, they should bomb the whole area and make parking lots out of it
Running a healthcare system is expensive. It takes a lot of money to do. Where does this money come from? The people.
And then you wonder how Europe has managed for the past 60 years with a social healthcare system... Just fyi, a lot of your other shit is socialized as well, but I guess you don't realize that. You pay for that as well.

But the thing is, you pay for everyone, including yourself, so you can't really complain as you do not only help yourself, but also others. Additionally, I bet you have to pay less for an entire lifetime of doctor/hospital trips in taxes then you would for 1 serious injury in your current system if it isn't covered by your insurance or if you already had it before you signed it (even if there was no way you could know about it.)
Parent
free health care :o what!?

i hate our tax though :(
The idiocy of a average American never fails to surprise me... Had this video of a student group asking some random protesters if they know why are they protesting... Most of them after a series of questions came out to be either stupid or... stupid... not knowing what Obama wants to do or not even caring to check if its good or bad... just taking a poster with Obama = communism and joining the brainless crowd. Sad... just sad...
nothing new there :(
Parent
This is not an issue of healthcare, but rather an issue of American ideology; there is so much opposition because passing the bill would signify a shift away from what it means to be American.
What does it mean to be American?
Parent
Being fat, lazy and dumb I suppose.
Parent
What does it mean to be American?

Individualism, above all else.
Parent
Yet left-leaning Obama achieved a landslide victory in the presidential elections!
Parent
The left is not at odds with individualism; the problem is that the individual becomes a liberal only when it suits them.
Parent
"What? Were you talking shit about Canada? SORRY, I COULDN'T HEAR YOU OVER THE SOUND OF OUR HEALTHCARE PLANS"

Yeah, I think that Facebook group stung Obama =(
Because they don't care about the health of niggers etc
First off, I like that Europeans are quick to criticize US domestic policy, but when an American comments on their countries they consider it outrageous and tell them to stay out of it. Also the notion that 100% of Americans are dumb is completely false, there are dumb people everywhere, I know this from personal experience. We just get noticed more because we have more dumb people with bachelor's degrees that get paid to be idiots with loud voices. We also have the oldest continuous democratic government of any modern nation, but it has undergone virtually zero reform... citizens have zero direct control over the government. We don't even elect our president directly, whereas countries like Belgium have direct representation. America is also more ethnically, religiously, and culturally more diverse than any other country, which makes it difficult to please the majority.

Second, if you think any good or service can be free, you're most certainly the one who is ignorant. It might not cost money directly to individual citizens, but doctors can't work for free, medicine doesn't just appear out of thin air, and hospitals don't grow out of the ground. Those resources have to come from somewhere, and that is where most of the problem lies. $910 billion over the next 10 years is a huge risk during a global recession, especially when pharmaceuticals, health care, and biotechnology are huge sectors of our economy that generate a lot of economic activity. I think it's too much of a risk.

Third, there are parts of the bill that don't mesh with the values of a large percentage of Americans. Most prominently, the current version would fund abortions. Although I believe it is a couple's right to choose whether or not to have an abortion, I have a moral issue with abortions that are not for health reasons or rape victims. I refuse to have my tax dollars pay for abortions.

Fourth, Congress is thinking of using a bill that would forgo normal democratic process and pass the bill with a simple majority. That may not sound bad, but our Congress only has two parties (there are a couple of others but they only occupy about 2% of the seats, so their votes are negligible). Our current partisan society dictates that it's Democrats vs. Republicans; compromise is almost a foreign concept when it comes to politics. Both houses of Congress are majority Democrat, so this bill will pass without further modification if this is done, and we're stuck with it for a long time. This is something that needs careful review and compromises need to be made so that it doesn't enrage a large percentage of Americans. Forcing an unpopular bill is not what democracy is all about.

I am against the bill as it stands, I do not believe in socialized healthcare for America (it may work elsewhere), but I believe that it should be a strictly regulated private industry. In short, to me it's not an issue of whether or not something should be done to fix our current system, it's an issue of which way is the best, and I don't think we should be passing a bill that is this drastic without first considering other options.
ye nicely written! i agree with u a 100% on the fact usa got a much higher diversification compared to eu states, but this is how ur country is made off - immigrants. imo thats nice for a state to have such a wide cultural/religious range of people. but on the other hand the problem is ur election system, starting as u said with a not direct election, but the bigger problem is imo that u just got 2 big parties, and they got each some(-times slight) differences, and you just can decide which is the lesser evil of both, compared with ur thoughts/ideas.

maybe a change on that system to a real politically diversity, with many parties with diference ideas and ranges would be nice, but i dont think neither democrates nor repu. would vote +1 for this. but this will never happen anyway so nvm on it. but a two partie system isnt what democracy is about too!

ofc such a insurance system is expensive and costs as u said billions, but when it helps and is strictly organized its nice to have, and imo 910 billions arent that much over a period of 10 years in us relations. compare ur costs of war in iraq and afghanistan... alone in iraq u put on 616 billions until 2008 ( i also read somewhere about "true costs" which are around 3.000 !!! billions but this is rather speculation imo)

at last of course there is no country which like to get told from other countries how they have to do their domestic policy. but no one can force you to do so, so why even care about this? like americans dont react outrageous when eu countries try to take influence on the domestic policy of the us.

lets see how it will develop in future, since nothing is forever, and changes can always be made :)
Parent
well first off: Imo politics should care jacksh* about religion. It may have been a need of people centuries ago, maybe only one, but religion is definitely nothing you can reason about and thats why you should keep it out of it.

second - not every european citizen cherishes the own government - you should ask the majority of german citezens for example, quite some of 'us' do not value our government at all, because it does one thing you mention at #4 and seem to lay weight into: it tries to be popular. sure a government exists to please the people at first, but if the people fail to decide efficiently it is up to the government to do something unpopular, risking to lose the next election for the higher good.

Who am I to judge your opinion about abortion... certainly it takes some level of stupidity or carelessness to get pregnant while not intending to(exceptions such as damaged condoms certainly exist...), BUT exactly those are imo commonly the persons that can not effort a child OR are not able to efficiently take care of a child and also can not affort an abortion. So why would you want to doom their lifes plus the life of the to be born child for some moral standards?
Parent
'America is also more ethnically, religiously, and culturally more diverse than any other country, which makes it difficult to please the majority.'

I'd say this is irrelevant to the matter at hand.

2nd: Agreed that the timing is bad, but the second part is a bad argument. Since, as time progresses, it will keep it share or increase it of your economy. Don't you think it's bad that life essential means are such a big part of your economy and yet millions and millions of people can't get any? I can see why you are concerned, but on the other hand, if nothing happens now then it never will. Unless someone is able to propose a smart longterm plan, which will mean that the current generations will still be fucked.

3rd: As you may to refuse for abortion, others may be unwilling to pay for whatever disease you might get in the future. Does that seem fair? Such a trade? You're both screwed then, the only difference being that you will get off worse.

Not to mention that mistakes can be made and yes it's stupid and yes it's their own fault. But don't be hypocritical, because before you know it you'll be in the hospital due to a stupid mistake having to pay thousands of dollars because you don't have socialized healthcare...

4rd: The Democrats aren't completely united though as far as I've gathered. And a pure democracy is impossible anyway, the system we have know is the closest we'll ever get. We choose someone to make the decisions for us. That is democracy and that's what you get.


Personally I don't think free healthcare is the way to go for America, at least not in one go. Perhaps first go to the stage we have at Belgium. (you pay a small fee (in comparison to the US) for doctor visits, medication, operations... and get the majority back from insurance (which covers EVERYTHING)) and then later change to free if they still feel like it.

I like the system we have here, though I wouldn't mind the UK system, which is the one Obama wants as well (more or less)

The main problem though I believe is something that grew over generations. The feeling of superiority you have over other countries and the ignorance that follows from that. The belief that your country is the best is untrue. No country is better than the other. And yes, it may not be your personal ideas, but I do KNOW that a good share of Americans DO think like that and there's no denying that. I don't mind pride, but I do mind ignorance. A lot are too blind or too uninterested (and thus ignorant) to see how other countries take care of their stuff. It's the reason why we laugh at you behind your back and lately as well publicly. :)
Parent
I'm agnostic.

Being forced to pay for abortions to me is like this: If I'm driving too fast and wreck my car, and I don't have full coverage insurance, I don't expect anybody to pay me to get it fixed. If I didn't have money to buy a new one, and I didn't have people that were willing to take me to work, I'd lose my job. Then I wouldn't be able to pay for food. Yet nobody says "hey, let's have government-provided car insurance."
Parent
That's because there's a huge difference on multiple aspects between a car and your HEALTH.

Sort out your priorities and we can talk.
Parent
Yes there are, but there is a huge difference between recreational sex and your HEALTH.

I don't see our country as superior, just different. A lot of people here share the same values as I do which is why I choose to live here. I think that it's great that you live where you like also. What I don't think is great is that you back up racism with random statistics and decent prose to make it sound well-based and intelligent, when, in fact, it's still racism.
Parent
because people cant see any difference between communism and communitarism :)
and because people are too liberal regarding some issues.
While I can't say I'm all for free health care simply because I don't want to give my money away so someone can go see a doctor instead of going to the emergency room, I do understand the idea of universal health care. Say what you will, such as you fools saying this is the "American complex", but if you don't have an issue with sending me some of your money so I can go and get my stubbed toe checked out by the most expensive doctor possible then by all means call me greedy. The problem with the bill isn't so much the idea of health care, it is the way the bill goes about creating it. It was rushed by the democrats because Obama is being pressured and they see the power in Congress shifting away from them. The bill has A LOT of issues that will not help anyone, and until those issues are fixed I won't support it. As the bill is written at the moment, money will just be thrown away because of the unorganization of the system. A lot of the services that a hospital provides are expensive for a reason, and this new health care system won't cover those costs, meaning the hospitals will lose money and be unable, or unwilling, to provide those services in the future.
Back to top