pookie wrote: "Isn’t private insurance basically the same thing? People pool together to spread the risks and costs. It’s on a smaller scale and done by a for-profit company instead of a government body.
Of course, participation is not mandatory, but I haven’t seen anyone argue for not having any insurance. As far as I can see, one system offers more choice as to what coverage you get, while the other provides universal access - everyone is covered.
People complaining about putting their health care in the hands of a government bureaucrat apparently have no qualms about putting it in the hands of a corporate drone. Either way, decisions about your health care are made by someone else."
Government run healthcare is different because insurance companies can’t directly enact laws.
Right now if a particular activity you enjoy is felt to be too risky, your provider can raise your rates, or drop your coverage. If the goverment is running healthcare and deems an activity too risky, it merely outlaws that activity.
For instance, I guarantee that a national healthcare plan would immediately result in a national helmet law for motorcyclist. Instantly, the government could outlaw many behaviors because they will say it is too costly. You would be inviting even more government control over our lives.
Wow, $10K deductable is pretty high sounding (for a Brit in Mexico.)
My deductable on my insurance in the UK was something like $100.
The cover is a different set up as the National Health Service would cover emergency care or standard doctors visits and then your insurance kicks in if you need an operation or get referred to a specialist.
I more than got my money’s worth out of the insurance though as I got referrals to Sports Injury specialists for Physio several times a year.
[quote]suruppak wrote:
pookie wrote: "Isn’t private insurance basically the same thing? People pool together to spread the risks and costs. It’s on a smaller scale and done by a for-profit company instead of a government body.
Of course, participation is not mandatory, but I haven’t seen anyone argue for not having any insurance. As far as I can see, one system offers more choice as to what coverage you get, while the other provides universal access - everyone is covered.
People complaining about putting their health care in the hands of a government bureaucrat apparently have no qualms about putting it in the hands of a corporate drone. Either way, decisions about your health care are made by someone else."
Government run healthcare is different because insurance companies can’t directly enact laws.
Right now if a particular activity you enjoy is felt to be too risky, your provider can raise your rates, or drop your coverage. If the goverment is running healthcare and deems an activity too risky, it merely outlaws that activity.
For instance, I guarantee that a national healthcare plan would immediately result in a national helmet law for motorcyclist. Instantly, the government could outlaw many behaviors because they will say it is too costly. You would be inviting even more government control over our lives.
[/quote]
Which is pretty much the argument that gets used in the UK for Smoking Laws, Seatbelt laws, Control on Drinking hrs etc.
Here in the UK, the NHS has many problems, and having worked in a hospital, I’ve seen the ugly side. But I have also seen the amazing side and wouldn’t trade it, and wouldn’t give it up. It’s a fantastic thing, and the treatment and care from staff is generally first rate. To be honest, I couldn’t imagine life without it.
[quote]Jab1 wrote:
Here in the UK, the NHS has many problems, and having worked in a hospital, I’ve seen the ugly side. But I have also seen the amazing side and wouldn’t trade it, and wouldn’t give it up. It’s a fantastic thing, and the treatment and care from staff is generally first rate. To be honest, I couldn’t imagine life without it.
[/quote]
Well, that´s the problem right there is it not? That you could not imagine life without forcing other people to do your bidding.
[quote]Jab1 wrote:
Here in the UK, the NHS has many problems, and having worked in a hospital, I’ve seen the ugly side. But I have also seen the amazing side and wouldn’t trade it, and wouldn’t give it up. It’s a fantastic thing, and the treatment and care from staff is generally first rate. To be honest, I couldn’t imagine life without it.