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Should the United States have universal health care?

Results so far:

Yes
72% 842 votes Total: 1173 votes
No
28% 331 votes

Why are we arguing about "Universal Health Care"?

We are arguing about "Universal Health Care" because "health care" is one of many products and services available on the open market, and in a capitalistic society, supply and demand dictates the selling prices of those items on the open market.

We are arguing about "Universal Health Care" because there are some citizens who - by dint of genetics - are generally healthier than others. We are arguing about "Universal Health Care" because - by dint of financial DNA - are generally wealthier than others.

And we are arguing about "Universal Health Care" because - by dint of the concept of Supply & Demand - when the supply of products or services is insufficient to meet the demand, the cost of procuring that product or service goes up.

We are arguing about "Universal Health Care" because the insurance industry stepped in and artificially affected the supply and demand of health products and services.

According to [http://www.lieberson.com/en/m edical_history_and_ethics/hist ory/history_of_health_insuranc e.htm], "In 1929, the first modern group health insurance plan was formed. A group of teachers in Dallas, Texas, contracted with Baylor Hospital for room, board, and medical services in exchange for a monthly fee. Several large life insurance companies entered the health insurance field in the 1930's and 1940's as the popularity of health insurance increased. In 1932 nonprofit organizations called Blue Cross or Blue Shield first offered group health plans. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans were successful because they involved discounted contracts negotiated with doctors and hospitals. In return for promises of increased volume and prompt payment, providers gave discounts to the Blue Cross and Shield plans."

And according to the National Coalition on Health Care, [http://www.nchc.org/facts/cos t.shtml], "By several measures, health care spending continues to rise at the fastest rate in our history. In 2007, total national health expenditures were expected to rise 6.9 percent - two times the rate of inflation.1 Total spending was $2.3 TRILLION in 2007, or $7600 per person.1 Total health care spending represented 16 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP)."

I believe we are arguing about "Universal Health Care" because of wrong-headed "conventional wisdom".

"Conventional wisdom" suggests that since medical expenses and insurance expenses are soaring, the government (that's you and me,


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

Should the United States have universal health care?

No
  • 1 of 53

    by Jeremy Jameson

    Insurance works as follows: everyone in a plan pays premiums, which in turn pay the costs covered by the insurance co...read more

  • 2 of 53

    by Pat Gray

    No, No No, and NO! I've lived in a land with a 'universal' (national) health care system and it didn't work, for a...read more

Yes
  • 1 of 76

    by Paul Wallis

    THE UNITED STATES MUST HAVE UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE A society full of sick people is a sick society. Even if the dis...read more

  • 2 of 76

    by Bryan Belrad

    At this moment, there are approximately 49 million Americans who have absolutely no health insurance. That translates...read more

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