kiwisub12
Posts: 4742
Joined: 1/11/2006 Status: offline
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My mum had a leaking cerebral aneursym - she went into hospital, CT scan, bedrest for a week, flown to the hospital that does neurological surgery, brain surgery - couldn't get to the aneurysm from the approach taken, bedrest for two weeks, another surgery, bedrest for another couple of weeks, flown back to original hospital, my dad also was along for the trip, discharged home after a while. Total of nine weeks in hospital, two ct scans , two brain surgeries, two flights - all paid for by the government, out of pocket expenses - $50.00. My Sir has two bad knees, and needs prostate surgery. He works, doesn't have health insurance, doesn't get operated on, was in heart failure, had a 4 vessel bypass, is being sued by the hospital for the bill. This is a man that works hard, and has done all his life. Would he be willing to pay more in taxes to be able to access health care and go on a waiting list. Hell yeh! People who don't have health insurance aren't dead beats. They are people who don't work for big businesses and get health insurance, or can't afford health insurance offered. I for one would be fine with paying more in taxes for universal health care. As it is , we pay for it by hospitals writing off bad debt and raising health care costs to cover it. And it isn't an open hospital system. For nonemergent surgerys, patients go on waiting lists , and have the surgery when their number is up. My sister needed a hip replacement, went on a list and after a year, got her new hip. The system works for every one. In New Zealand, you can also carry private health insurance, and get care in a private hospital. So if you have money you can get your elective care faster, but if you don't have it you still can get care - it just takes longer. If it is an emergent situation, care is given immediately. I really don't see a down side to universal health care.
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