Responses to this message:
I live in the US, and agree that "socialized" systems in Australia, Canada, etc. have their problems. It's probably too much to hope that anyone can have a serious discussion on this forum, but...
I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the ripe old age of 22, had high-dose chemo and total body irradiation followed by a successful stem-cell transplant, and now (at the age of 34) am facing difficult insurance choices. My student insurance is ending next month, and I can't get an extender plan, because I now live in a different state. I don't qualify for group insurance from my partner's employer (as you know, some US employers offer domestic partner benefits, but many don't), and I myself am able to work only part-time because of "late effects" such as fatigue and chemobrain (see http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/29/health/29chemo.html? ex=1183867200&en=67dcfd996bff2683&ei=5070). I do not qualify for Medicare because I'm not fully disabled, and indeed, I *want* to work as much as I'm able! I tried once again this spring to apply for individual insurance -- just in case it might make a difference that I've been cancer- free for more than 10 years -- but I could not find any private insurer who would cover me, for any amount of money. My only option is to enroll in my state's high-risk pool, in which the *cheapest* plan costs $4400 annually and has a deductible of $2500. We like to talk about "fairness" in the US; is it "fair" that I both had to deal with a life-threatening illness in my 20's and now have to pay through the teeth for insurance because of it?
I suppose that I theoretically have another option, which is for me to try to find a job at Starbuck's or at some such place that might offer benefits for less than full- time work, but I think you will agree that it doesn't make sense for me (or anyone!) to take a minimum wage job *just* for the insurance. I've been keeping my eye out for part- time work with benefits in a more rewarding field for which I'm qualified, but so far, nothing has shown up in the past year in my local market. My partner is also actively looking for jobs with employers who offer domestic partner benefits, but academic jobs are few and far between these days.
The problem with the US system is that group insurance is employer-based. I guarantee there are more than "six" of us who are falling through the cracks, and everyone agrees that the cost of insurance in the US is just headed up for the foreseeable future. So far, (surprise!) big money has not taken up the challenge. I guess it's up to state or federal government (once again) to fill in the gaps left by "capitalist" myopia. God forbid I should burden taxpayers with my insurance costs: anyone know Bill Gates' number?
Finally, on the question of whether the US gov't is incapable of administering universal healthcare: there is a raging debate about this issue (see, for example, thehealthcareblog.com), and I have to say that I'm not persuaded that Medicare (in its current form) could be expanded. But it's also not *patently obvious* (as others have claimed here) that gov't-run healthcare is more expensive per capita than that of the private sector. Let's just say that both systems are currently bloated and far too susceptible to the interests of greed -- yes, even Medicare, because of the extraordinary influence of lobbyists.
Responses to this message:
Post a response to this discussion thread
And check this out: The Top Posters' Page