I would ask all those advocating National health care to read this and get a glimpse of the inevitable future of such a program.
There are only a finite resources availible from the public purse, and in the end, as we've seen in every place it's practiced, that financial fact leads to a rationing of services. It begins with long waits for what are now common procedures, and ends with refusal of treatment for those that the state deems unworthy of treatment, whether for age, weight, or other factors.
The sad fact is that, with a national heathcare system, there is no private system to fall back on, at least not to the average person that makes less than $1M a year. So if the public systems refuses to treat, you may as well resign your self to an early death, or even worse WISHING for an early death so as to escape the pain you have to endure.
Guess WHO will be the first ones complaining about the "unfairness"? Those that promoted such a system in the first place, of course!
Posted by Delftsman3 at December 14, 2005 10:41 PM | TrackBackI have to agree. Once you become dependent on the government you are "dependent on the government." And that means dependent on politicians. Being a bureaucrat myself, I know that as unpopular as we often are, our job is to administer the programs as the law requires.
That's not to say I don't believe that government has a role to play in this. It does, it has to, the problem is too big. I would like to see a highest-risk major medical offered by the states maybe with some federal funding. When you're in the highest risk category and can't get any insurance and can't get treatment, then dependence on the government is the least of your worries. I believe we need to go the opposite of Britain and have the most able be responsible for themselves and make sure our most vulnerable are covered. Don't know it would work, or how it would be funded, or how we would get there from here, but other than that, I think it's a great idea.
Posted by: Grandma Jo at December 15, 2005 06:26 AMCorrection: That's not to say I don't believe that government doesn't have a role to play in this.
Posted by: Grandma Jo at December 15, 2005 06:28 AMIf the goverenment is allowed to run all of the health programs then the goverment will dictate treatment. I am forced to use a government HMO at the present which is good-all things considered. But even so sometimes it is a fight to get some tests run that are needed. Think if the whole country were under the same kind of program. Some would be better off getting cheap medical care but others would see their care deteriate.
Posted by: GUYK at December 15, 2005 05:41 PM