lobachevsky on Create universal health care

lobachevsky
Humble, TX
Opposes!

Capitalism and the Free Market Economy — 9 months ago

There are many more issues at hand than the financial cost of healthcare, which everyone so far seems to take an issue with. Standardized health care sounds like a great idea, and I believe that it can actually work to a certain degree. With that said I see many faults in an America with national health coverage.

I believe in capitalism. I believe in a free market economy. Most importantly, I believe in competition. Standardized health care takes away the monetary incentive for revolutionary health care techniques in America. It is quite simple, and has been proven through the course of time, that excellence arises through competition and incentive. I want everyone in America to have health insurance, but more importantly I want America to have the best doctors and to be able to perform the best medical procedures in the world.

I also believe in a limited government. The government should be involved in situations that individuals cannot control. I do believe that the state of our current health care system is not satisfactory, and that it requires some government involvement, but not to the extent of national health care. The national government should put its time and effort, and our money, into stimulating competition in the health insurance market as to make it more affordable to all Americans.

Feb. 12, 2008 at 9:00 PM | 2 replies

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Sam Bear
Oakton, VA
Supports!

Clarification — 9 months ago

I just want to clarify one important thing: neither Barack Obama nor Hillary Clinton (nor John Edwards, for that matter) is advocating a single-payer health care system. When you say you "believe in competition" and that "the national government should put its time and effort, and our money, into stimulating competition" you're basically advocating for exactly what their plans entail. They will offer a government plan (much like the health care plan offered to members of Congress) that will compete in local markets with private health insurance.

This is fostering competition, not curtailing it.

Feb. 13, 2008 at 1:12 AM | Reply

lobachevsky
Humble, TX
Opposes!

Create or Promote? — 9 months ago

I believe there is a difference between creating universal health care and promoting or giving some incentive for it. The title "Create universal health care" implies to me a standard issue health care provider for those who do not want or cannot pay for their own. Maybe you and I have similair beliefs, Sam, and just a different understanding of the title of the post. Like I said before, I am all for competition and government involvement to stimulate growth. The key for me is "stimulate", not create. Not force. Not restrict rights. There has been some talk that one of Hillary's health care plans is conditional. Health care will only be provided if you are a nonsmoker/nondrinker/nonskydiver/nonbasejumper etc. These limits on our freedoms because of what so many people believe to be the institution of an inherent right to health care are unconstitutional.

Also I just wanted to add that I didn't inlcude anything about what Hillary or Obama have discussed concerning health care in my original message. I was not trying to promote, advocate, or bash any particular political candidate, just state my views. I believe that strict party lines are ruining political discussion. People have a virtual hatred for members of their opposing political party and I think that it is absurd.

Feb. 13, 2008 at 2:21 AM | Reply

Sam Bear
Oakton, VA
Supports!

Untitled — 9 months ago

In terms of Hillary's health care plan (and Obama's as well), the way I understand it, they would ELIMINATE not extend restrictions... if you are ill or have a pre-existing condition, you need health care more than most Americans, and their plans would extend coverage to those people while just about all private insurance plans would turn them away.

As for why I brought up Hillary and Obama, I brought them up because they are the two most prominent politicians today talking about this issue. I'm not saying I support either or their plans completely, I just wanted to use an established proposal as a reference point.

P.S. I really agree with Dylan's point which is brought up in the thought right above this one.

Feb. 13, 2008 at 11:00 PM

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