| | I believe in Universal Health Care for everyone. Yep everyone. I think that the government should make sure that none of us ever have to pay a dime out of pocket for health care costs. I think it is something that is humane, reasonable, and that everyone is entitled to. I believe that the US government owes me and every other person in this country completely 100% free health care. Owes me. Health care shouldn't be a gift or a blessing. It should be something that is standard for every American citizen (and every citizen of every other country in the world, but that is another issue). It shouldn't be something you earn or work for, it should just be a fundamental basic part of life, you know, "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" and all.
I've personally believed this for years. But if you are skeptical, I would read this post, and get back to me. Also keep in mind that the US is the only 1st World country without Universal Health Care, the only Western Country, and the only Developed Country (via UN development standards) without Universal Health Care. So that means our mortality and sickness rates pretty much match that of a 3rd world undeveloped country. There is this myth that America has great health care, that people from other countries come to America for health care, and that our health care is the best and most cutting edge in the world. That is pretty much all a load of crap. Almost no one from countries with Universal Health Care ever comes here for ours, unless it is something experimental. Keep in mind that half the bankruptcies in this country are not due to laziness or poor planning but health care bills. Also keep in mind that Universal Health Care has improved the mortality and illness rates of citizens in every country that has it.
I always thought that Universal Health Care made compassionate sense, but it makes financial sense too. Sick people COST the US economy. They cost us in lost work hours, in treating worse diseases because the person couldn't afford to go to the doctor when the case was mild, cost us by making their coworkers and friends sick and making them take days off (if they are privledged enough to be able to do so) or leaving them to try not to let their nose drip while making your dinner. It is cheaper to have Universal Health Care and treat people promptly and properly then to have a Health Care for the Rich system like this. Unless you are working for an HMO.
In the spring of 2005 I was hit by a cab who ran a stop sign while riding my bike. I declined an ambulance ride to the hospital because first, I didn't think it was that bad, and second, I knew that ambulance isn't covered by my Dad's health insurance and I didn't have the money to pay for it. I also didn't have the money to pay for what my Dad's insurance wouldn't cover. I should have taken it, and if it was free, I would have. Two weeks after I got hit by the cab, I collapsed alone in my apartment (and running late to a big queer meeting) because my cheast hurt. I thought I was having a heart attack, so I hobbled across my living room floor, and called University Health Services. The doctor on call said it was probably not a heart attack but I needed to get to a hospital to be sure. He told me to call an ambulance. I told him I couldn't afford it. At that point, Eric was paying most of the rent and I was paying him back in small clump sums. But I couldn't walk. Meriter Hospital was about a half mile away, and I was exhausted from dragging myself 10 feet across the floor. I was floating the electric people $5 so they couldn't shut us off. So that doctor actually drove from UHS (about a mile away), picked me up at my apartment, helped me to the elevator, helped me into the car, and dropped me off at the ER entrance, where a nurse with a wheelchair met me. I don't remember that doctors name, I wish I did because I really owe him.
Three hours later I walked out with muscle relaxants, a diagnoses of cheast wall muscle damage, instructions not to strain my cheast or arms, and a $4,000 hospital bill. Yep, $4,000 is what it costs to go into the ER and have them do EKG's, Xrays, and other tests while you watch some cracked out NBC special on Evil where you get to see an exorcism and check in with Laurie Cabbott. Eventually, my Dad's health care payed out, so I was only left with a bill of $300. I payed about $5-20 a month on that bill for a year, and finally paid off the last of it with my graduation money. I got off lucky because I was still on my Dad's insurance. If I hadn't been, I would not have been able to pay $4,000. I was already on loans because my parents divorce had them scrambling over money. I don't know if I could have stayed in school. And that is a load of bullshit. The ruling parties in this country would rather have me unemplyed with no college degree and hence not contributing to the economy or serving the public, then fork over the $4,000? That doesn't make a damn bit of economic sense. And destroying the hopes of those unlucky enough to be on the recieving end of a cab or complications in pregnancy is just or fair? I think not.
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| | Posted 10/24/2007 6:28 PM - 36 views - 1 comments
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