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Really, what started the inspiration of this blog was a little (nay, large) rant I had on Twitter about nasty comments I was reading.
One that got me started was on Obamacare.
Here's the thing: Obamacare ISN'T perfect. It's far from it. As an avid Obama supporter, I will admit that. However, it is farther than anyone else has gotten. Good for him for getting something into place. Insurance shouldn't be a privilege. Insurance should be a right. No one deserves to lose their house because their child is sick. No one deserves to have a child denied for a pre-existing condition. No one deserves that. Not just children, but adults. No one deserves to have the wonderings, and what-ifs of no insurance.
The people who say "Obamacare isn't the way. Universal healthcare is bad." probably have never, ever experienced any of these situations. They have probably never had the issue of their child being ill without insurance, or them being ill without insurance...without any back up money to fund the treatments and appointments.
Put yourself in those people's shoes who have had these problems. And then rethink your position on healthcare.
It's not perfect, but if we come together, we can make it perfect.
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One of my big issues with Obamacare is the health insurance mandate. The federal government does not have the authority to tell me what I MUST buy. They can't compel me to purchase something if I don't want it or have a moral objection to it.
ReplyDelete@Milehimama I do understand what you're saying, but isn't it comparable to the auto insurance that you must own (in I believe, every state)
ReplyDeleteComing from someone who lives where there IS universal health care.... It's not all its cracked up to be.
ReplyDeleteWait, now don't get me wrong. I love the fact that I can go to the doctor when I'm sick and NOT have to pay for it (other than living in one of the highest taxed provinces...) BUT I HATE the fact that I need to wait MONTHS and MONTHS to get an appointment with a specialist, to get an ultrasound (not for pregnancy), to get an MRI or anything else.
Trying to find a pediatrician in Montreal was beyond insane. I spent 3 days on the phone calling to see who would take new patients, to boot they are all so back logged you couldn't even interview them. It was either YES we can accept new patients or NO we can't. There wasn't a "sure come in and meet the doctor to see how you feel with him/her".
Universal health care has its ups and downs. I can totally understand why some people would be iffy of getting it. I'm someone who uses my universal health care. I have a disease that requires regular follow up and care so I don't mind being taxed out the ass because the amount of money I'd spend on health care would probably be more than I'm taxed.... But for someone like my husband who is perfectly healthy and never goes to the doctor...well...why are we being taxed so much!?
I'm not saying if its good or bad... I'm just saying it seriously has ups and downs....and sorry for the novel!
@jenny thank you for the novel! it's much appreciated. while I do see your point, why should a healthy person be taxed as much as a sick person...it comes down to this: should people be punished for being sick? which means those sick people's taxes would be even HIGHER than everyones taxes bc less people are paying them. or should everyone put in money for the greater good?
ReplyDeleteThe difference between the federal government requiring people to buy health insurance for existing, and the state requiring auto insurance are very different.
ReplyDeleteFirst, federal vs. state. The Federal government doesn't have the authority to require insurance purchase, although many state constitutions do allow it.
Second, the health insurance mandate is for all people, no matter what, just for being alive. Auto insurance is a responsibility of people who want the privilege of driving (living is a right, driving is a privilege).
Third, no one is required to buy auto insurance to protect themselves (although that's an option, it's never a state requirement). Auto insurance is purchased to cover the other person's health and property- because you are operating a machine that could damage their health and property. So the insurance mandate is about protecting OTHERS from yourself.
Fourth, the IRS does not enforce car insurance laws. If you don't pay for car insurance, there are penalties but you won't end up with wage garnishment or worse from the IRS. It's already come out that not buying insurance could incur the wrath of the IRS - including imprisonment.
I live in Ontario, Canada. I pay $300 per year as part of my provincial taxes for OHIP (our provincial health insurance).
ReplyDeleteThis past summer I had a baby and didn't have to spend a single dime on my prenatal care, delivery, or post partum care.
I can go to the doctor at any time of the year for a cold, infection, or even a serious illness, and I don't have to leave their office with anything but a prescription scrip - no bill I need to make payments on, no need to submit claims to my insurance company and hope they file it quickly.
Yes, most years $300 is more than I 'use' in health care, but I don't mind the idea that I am helping to insure that families living below the poverty line, or seniors on a set income get the care they need without worrying about more bills piling up.
Can I ask two questions to those against universal health care? First, why do you trust a company who is out to make money more than you trust the government you elected? You believe that the private insurance company you are paying each month WANTS to approve your claims and lose that profit? Second, when you are paying into those private insurance plans, do you not understand that your money is being pooled together with other peoples, with the idea that most of you will not get sick even though you are paying into it every month. YOU ARE COVERING OTHER PEOPLES MEDICAL CARE when others with the same company get sick and receive money and you don't.
I don't get the fear over it.