Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Why are Americans Afraid of Universal Healthcare?

That's a question I've pondered for some time and one I've been asked by my friends in the UK and Canada. They say that we Americans seem to be fear our own government. The same establishment that we elected freely. It doesn't make sense. I thought our government is the very thing that sets us apart from other countries.

Our constitution describes our government as being "for the people, by the people." You are the people - we are the people. With that said, why are we afraid of the government having any congtrol? Isn't this the government that is "for the people, by the people"? Who better then to take care of the needs of the people? Certainly we don't think the HMO's and PPO's, huge for profit corporations, are going to be more trustworthy than those who are "for the people, by the people."

Some people argue that they want to choose for themselves who takes care of their health needs. But really, who does the choosing? For most of us it is our employer who decides what company, and what price, is available. But that's only if you are lucky enough to have an employer that provides any choice at all.

Then there is the argument that countries with socialized medicine have horrible systems. Are there horror stories? Yes. Are their long waits for services? Sometimes. But private health has horror stories and waiting lists as well. No system is perfect. No system that involves humans that is..."by the people".

I don't see how a government that proclaims to be "by the people, for the people" can not ensure that all its people have access to basic health care.

2 comments:

Arkansas Patti said...

Hay, I have no problems. Medicare is run by the govt and for 8 years I have had no complaints.
Private health insurance can deny coverage or drop you if you look like you might be too expensive to cover. We do need change.

Olga said...

Totally agree...and I stand with Dr. Dean (http://standwithdrdean.com/)