Healthcare Policy Ideologies

[Riceball]

This thread is inspired by the Political Roll-call Sticky here. There's so many divergent opinions on healthcare that I thought there is scope for a good discussion on the issue. Plus, considering I'm a public policy economist, I get a metaphorical hard-on for policy debate

To kick things off, I'm of the view that the state has a role in the healthcare system. The state should, where possible and practical, provide a healthcare safety net that allows universal access to basic healthcare. This includes things like emergency hospitalisation, immunisation against disease, general check-ups and dental care for children (tbh, children should be covered for essentially everything). The way I see it, people are more productive if they are healthy and so its almost like the state is investing in the human capital of its population. They should not directly have to pay for the ability to at least be checked for health problems or be guarded against health problems.

I won't get into taxation to fund a safety net; thats a whole other kettle of fish. Just assume the state has the capacity to provide this without distorting their tax regeime.

Following this safety net, citizens should be encouraged to purchase health insurance as a hedge against long-term illnesses or sudden, accute illness and disease. Premiums should, however, not be subsidised by the state as in a system where there is a basic safety net, there should be no market failure. People have varying risk profiles and should purchase insurance accordingly.

Hopefully this doesn't turn into a rant against big insurance companies, health prices in the US etc; its intended as a debate on ideology and policy relating to healthcare.

So, what are your thoughts?

[sonatafanica]

I just think we should have the same sort of healthcare as maybe France or the U.K. or something like that. Viva la socialism.

[ack44]

Plus, considering I'm a public policy economist, I get a metaphorical hard-on for policy debate

"Metaphorical" is a metaphor for "literal", amirite?

[Riceball]

"Metaphorical" is a metaphor for "literal", amirite?

Hence the desk job

Noone wants to discuss this? On a forum of nerds? I must be chief nerd then lol

[gmillerdrake]

I think a good start would be to open up state borders to allow private groups to form larger private groups. It is a complete crock that the company I work for that has 23 employees, cannot 'merge' with a similar company say in Kansas or Ohio to form a larger group. That, along with opening the borders for purchasing prescription drugs would be a great place to begin. These two aspects (to me) appear to be the largest problems with the entire industry.
   Larger groups=cheaper rates
   More Competitive market=cheaper drugs

[berrege]

I'm centre-right wing (European standards) on economical issues, but I believe the USA needs a good health care system, like in Western-Europe and Scandinavia. Everyone deserves good medical help, no matter how much money you have. In my view, it's normal for a civilised society that the rich get taxed to help the poor. I really don't understand why there is being so much protest in the USA for a still very bad health care system. And this is not necessarily socialism, in Europe even the right-wing parties are for a good health care system. It's just another mentality I guess. In the USA, everything the government does is bad and you're a communist if you pronounce the word 'taxes'.

[PraXis]

Health care is not a right in America simply because you (generally speaking) have absolutely no right to my property, or the time of a doctor. We are a Republic and it's not the federal government's responsibility, nor do they have the authority for enacting that.

I'm fine with states trying their own systems, and if something works, then maybe it can become national policy via Constitutional amendment.

It simply won't work in America, on a federal level.. the needs of a person in NYC are different than in the Midwest.. it's like the Euro currency model.. a complete failure.. Greece cannot be on the same level as Germany.

Now, I'm not against state-side safety nets for our truly vulnerable citizens, but I am sick and tired of the entitlement mentality brought on by the Great Society.. trillions spent to prevent poverty and we have more dependence and poverty.

Also, on a national level, 47% of households pay $0.00 in federal income taxes.. many get free money just for having kids.. the top 53% like myself are sick of the moochers.. of that 47% how many truly are needy, 15%-20% max, not 47%.

Also, the NHS is the 3rd largest 'employer' in the world... in a country with 60 million people.. America has over 310 million people and over 20 million illegal aliens.. no way to have a one-size fits all policy for health care, or even education... LEAVE IT TO THE STATES.

There are over 1500 health insurance companies in America, many of which are non-profit... but why can't they compete? I'm in NJ.. a very densely populated state.. yet we have maybe 8 companies to choose from.. increase that to 1500 and you'll see costs come down.

Also, don't forget that doctors in America make 3x more than in Europe.. but why shouldn't they? They're 250k in debt when they finally become a doctor at age 30.. LOL

America's health care system isn't awful, and it certainly isn't perfect. We need to find common sense ways to lower costs... defensive medicine is big... emergency room abuse is big (esp in the inner city)..

I have family in all areas of medicine.. whether it's in pharma research, a doctor, a coroner, 3 nurses, and two in insurance.

To quote the previous post (and I'm not bashing): "In the USA, everything the government does is bad and you're a communist if you pronounce the word 'taxes'."

You have to understand our tax structure.. the top 1% "evil rich" own 20% of the wealth, but pay 40% of the taxes.. the top 53%, as stated before, pay 100%.

America has the highest corporate tax rate in the world, but the heavily politically connected companies pay nothing in taxes because they find all the loopholes their buddies in office give them... yet small and medium businesses feel the burden.

We have too many taxes in the USA... a 60,000+ page tax code and over 170,000 business regulations.

All I'm asking is that we simplify everything.