General/Off-topic |
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Clinton, Obama or Edwards?
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| 40. |
17 Jan 2008 Thu 12:08 am |
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...bu arada, I went on a business trip to Houston and drove through a huge area dedicated to hospitals and medical research. I must admit it was pretty impressive. Is that where you work? 
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| 41. |
17 Jan 2008 Thu 12:20 am |
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Quoting AEnigma III: I think that is our point with your system. Wonderful healthcare for the rich...
As we were talking about the whole "system" then yes, actually, yours is the worst in the west.
Our system has many faults in the UK, but at least everything is free - from pills that cost several thousand pounds a week, to major heart surgery.
Our University hospitals and Cancer Charities don't do a bad job in research and developments either  |
The problem lies with many companies that do not offer healthcare to there employees. Hospitals offer a lot of services for people who do not have insurance but how long can that keep up? When only 50% of your patients pay their bills thru insurance and the rest are self pay...hospitals are left to pay there enormous staff and overhead with only half the revenue. Hospitals are faced with constant issues with loss of income. Healthcare in most countries is socialized and therefore "free" however, I think you might pay much higher taxes.
In the early 1990's Hillary Clinton came up with a halfway decent plan to ensure everyone had healthcare, but when it came down to implementation, she shut out the AMA (American Medical Association) and told them that doctors were not needed in the decision making process. Her arrogance cost many Americans healthcare coverage. The AMA hired powerful lobbiest to defeat the plan. Basically, she thought a group of lawyers could make better medical decisions than doctors. That is the biggest reason why I don't like her. She is arrogant and short sighted.
OK...I will get off my soap box now....Hillary does not have my vote....I prefer John McCain....but we'll see. Its a long way to election day.
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| 42. |
17 Jan 2008 Thu 12:28 am |
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Quoting Elisabeth: Healthcare in most countries is socialized and therefore "free" however, I think you might pay much higher taxes. |
It is pretty fair actually. We pay National Insurance which is deducted the same way as tax. It is not an enormous amount but it means that people in full time employment are contributing and the poor, elderly and children do not have to.
The amount we pay for national insurance is really not so bad considering it also covers a State Pension. (I won't debate on whether that pension is enough or not!!).
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| 43. |
17 Jan 2008 Thu 12:28 am |
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I would love to see the first woman defeat the sexism of the US and become a president, but socialized healthcare is evil. It's just a bad idea based on a good intention.
Socialized healthcare is similar to a welfare government, which obviously fails because if you get something for free which has an infinite demand, there won't be enough resources to pay for it. There are much better solutions, like increasing the primary healthcare base - which is really the cause of so many people not having adequate health care in the US.
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| 44. |
17 Jan 2008 Thu 12:33 am |
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Quoting catwoman: socialized healthcare is evil. It's just a bad idea based on a good intention. |
Actually it is a very fair and good system. Unfortunately, thanks to greedy pharmaceutical companies who charge our National Health Service extortionate amounts for drugs in recent years (£25,000 a year for a particular cancer pill for one person, for example) it is becoming harder and harder to maintain the same standard.
Having said that, it is still a good system. The rich still have their nice private healthcare if they want, and insurance policies are also available, same as you, if people choose (and can afford) it.
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| 45. |
17 Jan 2008 Thu 12:41 am |
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Quoting AEnigma III: I think that is our point with your system. Wonderful healthcare for the rich...
As we were talking about the whole "system" then yes, actually, yours is the worst in the west.
Our system has many faults in the UK, but at least everything is free - from pills that cost several thousand pounds a week, to major heart surgery.
Our University hospitals and Cancer Charities don't do a bad job in research and developments either |
Yes that is exactly what I was implying.
It's all about money. If you can't pay at desk 1 you're left out in the cold.
Not everyone can afford health ensurance and it's a disgrace to see that they are abandoned, left to die in the worst cases.
Actually I don't know what it's like right now but there are all kinds of horror stories. You need to pay more tax 
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| 46. |
17 Jan 2008 Thu 01:11 am |
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Maybe we could pull out some statistics as to how many people can't get treatment in the free healthcare system and how many die of preventable diseases... I wonder if we differ so much after all. I have seen both systems in my life and the system in the US is far better. Having said that, I can also see how many people are left without insurence and can't afford health care in the US. I think we should look for solutions within the system instead of trying something that is potentially another disaster.
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| 47. |
17 Jan 2008 Thu 01:27 am |
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Interesting enough here is some good information..Healthcare comparison
Interested to see how much Turkey spends on pg.7
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| 48. |
17 Jan 2008 Thu 01:29 am |
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I am very happy to know that even in case of losing my job and income I don't have to worry if I suddenly should need instant medical attention. Health treatment is VERY expensive.
While in my native country my spouse once cut his hand and we had to pay for the whole ordeal because he's a non-EU citizen. It was a ten minute consultation, they simple cleaned it and did a single stitch. We had to pay 175€ in cash and I never carry much cash around and I couldn't pay with my credit card there. They wouldn't even let me go to an ATM so my father ended up having to go all the way to the ER with the money. It's awful how some doctors apparently have their priotities. We would probably have gone bankrupt of it was a serious surgery. With state financed health care there's no need to worry about any of this. The doctors do their job and the patients get their treatment.
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| 49. |
17 Jan 2008 Thu 01:55 am |
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Quoting libralady: Quoting teaschip1: Quoting libralady: Quoting teaschip1:
Why not, Oprah endorsed him and just look at his successful 2 year track record.. 
Hillary? God help us.....  |
Tell us what they stand for, hopefully nothing like Bush - waiting.................... |
Obama, has no experience with foreign policy. He has even agreed to pulling men out of Iraq and invading Iran and going into Pakistan. Just what we need, two more countries to invade.
Hillary, she is just plain evil. She wants to socialize healthcare, brilliant but costly. Who the hell do you think is going to pay for it. You got it, the tax payers.. She has done absoultely nothing as a Senator for New York but wants to be our President. Not to mention her flip flop on many issues, including the Iraq war.
Ron Paul, I agree with most of his views except his stance on the UN and War Reparations..
My Pick McCain...
Experienced with Foreign Policy and National Security..Has been an active member of the Armed Services Committee since 1987. Experienced with Military Affairs..The only Republican I'm aware that has consistently supported cutting taxes and decreasing spending and has record of actually doing both. On the issues McCain is conservative but not so much to alienate moderates and independents. |
Actually your healthcare system could do with an overhaul, being the worst in the western world! |
Yes, and the UK could also get a better dental plan. No offense, but the men in the UK have horrific teeth.. 
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| 50. |
17 Jan 2008 Thu 02:05 am |
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Quoting teaschip1: Yes, and the UK could also get a better dental plan. No offense, but the men in the UK have horrific teeth.. |
You didn't take it personally, did you? 
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