Technology in medicine is the same as technology in other fields, isn't it? I remember when Lasik was 3k an eye. Now you can get it for $500 an eye. The rich take on the initial costs on release and over time it becomes more affordable for everyone.
As an example: I just purchased my first iPhone after my other phone died in June. Why did I get an iPhone then, because it was only $99 because the 3G just came out.
Maybe I am missing something, but the US (according to a quick Google search and Wikipedia) has close to (if not the most) funding for education and despite the high level is still lagging behind other countries.
To be perfectly honest, this is why people get scared about a single payer system. If the government is the deciding factor on whether or not you get a cancer treatment and you are 83. They may say "increasing life expectancy isn't necessarily the right goal" regardless of your personal situation.
I am not trying to imply that you are for or against it, but your statement is a good example of what is driving a portion of the public fear.
You're right, it is not about running the health care system, it is about providing health care insurance. The problem is, if the government is doing such a horrible job at reimbursing car companies for Cash for Clunkers, will they do that much of a better job with insurance?
President Obama said it best himself. The postal service is in trouble and not Fed-ex or UPS.
And why not just leave this up to the state? I think something like 13 states already have state insurance programs. Why does it have to be a national program? If you want it, move to a state that offers it. Some great places like Massachusetts and Hawaii have state programs.
The problem with making it a federal program. If it fails, then it gets reformed for the next 100 years. Once it is on the books no member of congress will every try to repeal it.
Here is what I would also like to see.
1) All members of congress must use the health insurance option that they pass. If the government option is good enough for them, then I might believe it is good enough for everyone else.
2) All individuals who can a) afford healthcare b) are eligible for medicaid in their state should have to either purchase it / apply for it or any medical bills they incur will survive a bankruptcy. That may prompt a few people to give up their cable TV before they give up their health insurance.
Obviously not the complete solution but it wouldn't hurt.
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Technology in medicine is the same as technology in other fields, isn't it? I remember when Lasik was 3k an eye. Now you can get it for $500 an eye. The rich take on the initial costs on release and over time it becomes more affordable for everyone.
As an example: I just purchased my first iPhone after my other phone died in June. Why did I get an iPhone then, because it was only $99 because the 3G just came out.
Maybe I am missing something, but the US (according to a quick Google search and Wikipedia) has close to (if not the most) funding for education and despite the high level is still lagging behind other countries.
To be perfectly honest, this is why people get scared about a single payer system. If the government is the deciding factor on whether or not you get a cancer treatment and you are 83. They may say "increasing life expectancy isn't necessarily the right goal" regardless of your personal situation.
I am not trying to imply that you are for or against it, but your statement is a good example of what is driving a portion of the public fear.
You're right, it is not about running the health care system, it is about providing health care insurance. The problem is, if the government is doing such a horrible job at reimbursing car companies for Cash for Clunkers, will they do that much of a better job with insurance? President Obama said it best himself. The postal service is in trouble and not Fed-ex or UPS. And why not just leave this up to the state? I think something like 13 states already have state insurance programs. Why does it have to be a national program? If you want it, move to a state that offers it. Some great places like Massachusetts and Hawaii have state programs. The problem with making it a federal program. If it fails, then it gets reformed for the next 100 years. Once it is on the books no member of congress will every try to repeal it.
Here is what I would also like to see. 1) All members of congress must use the health insurance option that they pass. If the government option is good enough for them, then I might believe it is good enough for everyone else. 2) All individuals who can a) afford healthcare b) are eligible for medicaid in their state should have to either purchase it / apply for it or any medical bills they incur will survive a bankruptcy. That may prompt a few people to give up their cable TV before they give up their health insurance. Obviously not the complete solution but it wouldn't hurt.