Socialized Health Care… A term that as US citizens we hear little about, or at the least, as a “crazy” European law. What’s wrong with the united state’s health care system? Its not socialized! It’s “Market-Based Health-Care.”
Socialized health care is a term used to describe the act of giving citizens of a particular country the right to medical care, without involving a third party directly, but instead enforcing another federal tax. In America our “Market-Based Health-Care” employs we pay for “health insurance,” either out of our own pockets or through our job, so that a third party such as “kaiser” can provide care with a fluctuating co-pay based on an insurance policy.
16% of the United States population was without health insurance in 2006 and 50% of 18-24 were without insurance at some point between 2004-2005. That means that when someone without health insurance needs a prescription for a drug to help tolerate cancer pain, they are paying as much as $2,000 a month, while someone with a health insurance will pay $20. Just an example; Canada, to socialize health care pays 0.98%-1.95% of the employer payroll. Not much more compared to our average U.S. citizen who pays close to 14% tax working a minimum wage job, but buying a prescription each month without health care would cost $2000; making this feat impossible. For a comparison, a Canadian citizen would pay 31% of their salary each month earning minimum wage, but would at least have $115 to spend at the end of the month and have health insurance….
Just my Blargument…………..
Blargument Submitted By Zach.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Gigi // Nov 26, 2007 at 5:55 pm
I find this to be a very interesting article. I never thought of our health insurance as market-based but indeed it is. Perhaps we should adopt a new reform where health care is concerned and base it on a system whereby we pick and choose ahead of time the type of insurance we think we may need based on our needs or propensity for genetic disposition. It’s an interesting concept. Though no one can predict the needs and ailments of the future, we can at least outline and guide our needs somewhat. This might also encourage people to be more watchful of their health and live more healthful lifestyles. But until then, we have the high premiums to pay. AARP is at least addressing this issue with their website: http://www.thisissoridiculous.com and I appreciate their help. By going to the website, we can view videos, send emails, and sign a petition to make our voices heard. This way, we are doing our part to attack the problem of the high cost of health care.
2 Sasha // Nov 29, 2007 at 2:46 am
grewing up in Germany this health system over here in the states is so weird to me..
you guys are spendung hundrets of billions on wars abroad and you can’t even setup a social system that you can find in so called “third world” countries…
seems very paradox to me.
3 edzme // Nov 29, 2007 at 3:04 am
YES!! I’m glad someone who has seen both sides is able to tell that. Why cant our government? We’ve spent something like 600 billion on this war abroad, yet our hospitals are closing down for lack of funding… Rediculous
4 StyleSwag // Dec 11, 2007 at 10:41 am
As a medical person, I can tell you that the system we have now is criminal. I have had to argue with insurance companies telling me it was me withholding treatment but in fact they refused to approve the treatment. They hire people just to say “no”.
You want to see organized crime, look at the health insurance companies. How come they’re always screaming high costs when they always have to largest, nicest building in the city.
Look around where you live. Find a large, impressively expensive building and I bet you it’s owned by an insurance company. (Drug companies are no better).
5 Adam Pieniazek // Mar 24, 2008 at 9:40 pm
It’s mind boggling that we can spend so many tax dollars to kill people but refuse to spend money to help people stay healthy. Actually, it’s not even that mind boggling, we’re a violent nation (or at least led by violent individuals) so why should we have a healthy society?
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