Subsidized healthcare

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2003
Subsidized healthcare
124
Sat, 09-20-2008 - 1:12pm

i'm starting a new thread because this is buried somewhere else.

another poster referred to "subsidized healthcare." this article is old but raises important questions about who pays for what and who has access.

http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/129/6/514

<

State funding, Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and HIPAA make up a subsidized system that targets specific needy groups and may be a gradual approach to U.S. health care coverage for all citizens. For now, however, it seems that anyone who knows the ins and outs of the health care system can obtain health care regardless of whether he or she has insurance.

We pay for community outreach programs, state and federal programs, Medicaid, Medicare, and tax breaks for large corporations. However, although the movement toward a national health insurance system is inching forward, it would immediately halt if people saw a paycheck deduction labeled "tax money to fund health insurance for those who do not have it.>>

the points that resonate for me:

-Those who oppose higher taxes also seem uninterested in finding out how much the lack of health care costs; illness and disease are costlier in the long run.

why don't we place more emphasis on prevention? why do we think paying for prevention is wasteful?

- Any investment in guaranteed health care, even if just for children, would have an invaluable return.

especially, why do we think prevention of disease in children is wasteful?

- The hidden subsidized medical system is already costing taxpayers, but Americans are more willing to pay for it because the taxes are hidden in the federal income tax that is deducted from each worker's paycheck... it would immediately halt if people saw a paycheck deduction labeled "tax money to fund health insurance for those who do not have it."

(assuming they are talking about specifying how much of your tax dollar goes to Medicare/Medicaid) ARE we so opposed to spending money to help those who are not covered - when they do not have other means and did not choose to reject those means?

-it seems that anyone who knows the ins and outs of the health care system can obtain health care regardless of whether he or she has insurance.

how many know the ins and outs? i don't because i don't need it. but why does it require a special knowledge? when you are sick, why can't the system be more transparent - especially for those who "fall through the cracks"?

Bea

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2008
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 1:45am

Yes, if people have "free" insurance, then no, I don't think they will use it just because it's there.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2008
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 1:51am

http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/Obama08_HealthcareFAQ.pdf


this link addresses some of your concerns. eventually the plan will pay for itself. but the initial investments come from allowing the tax cuts for those making over $250000

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2008
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 1:54am

((why don't we place more emphasis on prevention? why do we think paying for prevention is wasteful?))

Good question.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2003
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 2:05am

thanks. got a good answer?

and since we seem to have beaten THAT to death, what about the section on kid?

- Any investment in guaranteed health care, even if just for children, would have an invaluable return.

especially, why do we think prevention of disease in children is wasteful?

Bea

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2008
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 2:07am

<< Yes, if people have "free" insurance, then no, I don't think they will use it just because it's there.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2008
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 2:08am

Q. How much will it cost us taxpayers?


A. The Obama plan will cost between $50-65 billion a year when fully phased in.


Q. How will we pay for the Obama plan?


A. The Obama plan will realize tremendous savings within the health care system to help


finance the plan. The additional revenue needed to fund the up-front investments in


technology and to help people who cannot afford health insurance is more than covered


by allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire for people making more than $250,000 per year,


as they are scheduled to do.


That still doesn't really spell it out, now does it?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2008
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 2:19am

"lol, i thought you giving present day me advice on saving money. in college things were sort of simpler because i could get antibiotics from the student health center. but they did not offer birthcontrol. and as for planned parenthood, i was not eligible for their super

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2008
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 2:33am

you said it yourself "he would delay rescinding President Bush's tax cuts on wealthy Americans" delay is the key word.


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it spells it out pretty clearly to me. just out of curiosity, where is mccain getting the money to support his healthcare plan? i've searched his website and i read all about his healthcare credits, but i havent found a link to his budget anywhere. since you are voting for him, i assume you know

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2008
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 2:49am

"you said it yourself "he would delay rescinding President Bush's tax cuts on wealthy Americans" delay is the key word."


Delay for how long?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2008
Sun, 09-21-2008 - 2:51am
<<- Any investment in guaranteed health care, even if just for children, would have an invaluable return.

especially, why do we think prevention of disease in children is wasteful?>>


i dont think it is wasteful at all. i think there needs to be more investmesnt in disease prevention in children. especially inregards to to heartdisease and type 2 diabetes. it kind of annoys me when prevention programs for these diseases get mentioned and people cringe saying it is a waste because people are going to do what they want. but when it comes to children, prevention education/intervention

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