Episode 235 with Christian Einfeldt (MOVED)

[allix]

I would like to add a important issue that exist in england.
There is nhs (national health service) which is universal free healthcare provided by taxes.
However private health care exists too. The main reason people pay for private health care is because the public one tends to have long waiting ques and some say the treatments is better, that's a matter of opinion.
The private health sector pays staff notably nurses more than the public one. So there tends to be migration from the public to private which is one of the big reasons public one has ques.

[Wally Balljacker]

I would like to add a important issue that exist in england.
There is nhs (national health service) which is universal free healthcare provided by taxes.
However private health care exists too. The main reason people pay for private health care is because the public one tends to have long waiting ques and some say the treatments is better, that's a matter of opinion.
The private health sector pays staff notably nurses more than the public one. So there tends to be migration from the public to private which is one of the big reasons public one has ques.

The NHS is fundamentally a good system, although underfunded. It's unfortunate that it has waiting lists, and the wealthy can simply buy private care. I suppose a waiting list is better than nothing at all, which is what some 47 million Americans have. I think Medicare and Medicaid are good, although very much underfunded as well. Expanding Medicaid for all those who can't afford insurance, and those who are between jobs would be a step forward I think. It's hard to believe that in the richest nation on Earth, if you lose your job in this country you are pretty much screwed if you get sick or injured. But I guess when you are a member of congress, such matters are not important when you have free access to the best medical care in the world.

[Aia]

...if you lose your job in this country you are pretty much screwed if you get sick or injured.

Having ponder the same issue from time to time, I am leading to the believe that's a misguided way of seeing this matter. It is a wearing concern, always wanting to feel protected and free of risks; health care plays a big role in bringing that kind "peace of mind", but is only a false sense of security.
Furthermore, concerning the matter: if you don't make any money you can have access to a better "peace of mind health care" since all that you have to do is to show up at the door of a hospital and eventually you'll see you don't have to pay. Something about hospital being for non-profit and other "charitable" funds will take care of it. It's only if you are trying to make a honest living, and being honest in all your dealings with your fellowmen, that you'll get bombarded with sky high bills.

It's hard to believe that in the richest nation on Earth...

Keep wondering how much longer will be the case with so much socialism creeping in.

The NHS is fundamentally a good system, although underfunded.... I think Medicare and Medicaid are good, although very much underfunded as well.

Unless you work as part of the committees that audit the finances of any of these organizations, I am going to take those comments as nothing more that a regurgitations of what you only "hear" but "do know nothing" about it.
I am underfunded as well.
However I don't use it as an excuse to not meet the needs of my family. We try to be very financially responsible,and live within our means.
I am expected to pay a mortgage, pay car, house, life and health insurances, save for kids college, save for retirement. Yeap, I am underfunded. But I don't use it as an excuse to failure. The odd part is that I work.

I suppose a waiting list is better than nothing at all, which is what some 47 million Americans have.

Again, you are just repeating what you only "hear" but don't have knowledge of it. However, taking that amount as it where a fact:
How many of those 47 millions of Americans do have a monthly cell phone plan? How many have a "cable" monthly bill? Internet bills? Netflix bills? Monthly payments of Xbox Live?
Yeah, most of them can not afford health care. Neither do I, that's why I have insurance no matter what.

[Wally Balljacker]

Keep wondering how much longer will be the case with so much socialism creeping in.

Are you seriously suggesting that the Bush administration is moving the US towards socialism? That's just absurd and complete non-sense. The US has been drifting right-ward with privatization, deregulation, corporate welfare, and tax breaks for the wealthy ever since Reagan.

Furthermore, concerning the matter: if you don't make any money you can have access to a better "peace of mind health care" since all that you have to do is to show up at the door of a hospital and eventually you'll see you don't have to pay. Something about hospital being for non-profit and other "charitable" funds will take care of it. It's only if you are trying to make a honest living, and being honest in all your dealings with your fellowmen, that you'll get bombarded with sky high bills.

Relying on emergency room medical care is a terrible policy. Not only does it completely fail to provide preventive care, which drives costs down, and saves lives, but most people simply cannot pay their medical bill, which leaves the responsibility up to the hospital, which in turn leaves the burden on taxpayers to pay for the uninsured.

I am expected to pay a mortgage, pay car, house, life and health insurances, save for kids college, save for retirement. Yeap, I am underfunded. But I don't use it as an excuse to failure.

Except the NHS is far from being a failure. Despite it's shortcomings, it has managed to serve millions of people over the past 60 years. Even Thatcher wasn't stupid enough to dismantle the NHS.