nothing is right about this

[threeplusfire]

http://rm.livejournal.com/1472633.html

I cannot believe that I sat on the couch last night watching the men vying to be president seriously (such as it is) debate whether health care is a right or a privilege. Leaving aside matters of capitalism and socialism, our broke ass country and our ideological fears -- doesn't everyone have a right to live? to be helped if they can be helped? Isn't it simple? At least philosophically?

The situation makes me heartsick. I believe making the medical industry a for profit one is probably one the greatest collective moral failings in the history of humanity.

One of the folks I met during my very first trip to NYC is in the hospital right now because he had a stroke. He's only 44, and a freelancer with no health insurance. What the hell happens now? I know an ICU stay isn't cheap. That the financial cost of his care even had to be a factor in deciding whether to go to the ER is horrifying.

Fuck, it is 10am and I'm crying again.

Comments

[thenodrin.livejournal.com]

I understand the question, and the debate. But, I think that they both missed the "correct" answer, which is (IMHO) that health care can be both a right and a privilege.

Having the health care you need to live a healthy life is a right. Having the best health care money can provide, complete with elective surgeries and non-essential, but life-improving medications is a privilege.

If I were in charge, I would create a certificate and series of government tests that a person would have to pass in order to be a medical insurance claim adjuster. This person would have to pass a bar-like exam that will certify that they have the medical knowledge necessary to make decisions.

IMHO, the problem with health care in our country isn't that one of the candidates claims that the other wants an administrator to make health care decisions based on income, but that currently health care decisions are being made by accountants and administrators based on cost. People with insurance are being denied claims on expensive procedures, and the insurance company knows that if the patient ... sorry, the "customer" dies then the resulting lawsuit will be much less expensive than paying out in the first place.

I also think that the federal government needs to appoint a committee of doctors to determine the minimum necessary health care package. And, all health insurance companies need to provide that package at a cost capped at 1/5 the take-home pay of a full time, single income minimum wage family. That way, everyone can afford the basics, but for frills and whistles you can, if you choose, pay more.

That way people working for health insurance companies don't lose their jobs. New jobs are created. An affordable tier of health care is provided for the lower class. And, doctors rather than accountants get to decide whether or not a covered patient gets the assistance they need.

Theno

[bodlon.livejournal.com]

*hug*

This is why we have to vote, and encourage our friends and family to vote, and so on. So that the guy who flat out says that health care is a right can be in office to sign if the Legislature puts a good plan on his desk.

[eroticcakejob.livejournal.com]

Anytime I hear pro-life or culture-of-life I want to say, hey what about those 35,000 people that die each year from lack of health care?