Why is America the ONLY country that you have to pay for health care?

Question

in every single other industrialized country in the world, there is universal health care to all people that is FREE, because these counties actually care about their people and not just money. Why is this?

Answer 1

Health care in Europe isn't free, we pay for it in taxes of one sort or another rather than insurance premiums.  It's also possible to take out private health insurance if you want to, although this generally only covers acute problems, not long-term care.  

The care is not always up to the technological standards of the best (and most expensive) US hospitals, but it's thorough and professional, and at least we know we'll get health care when we need it, whether we have health insurance or not.

Answer 2

well because we'll have a backup plan if something happens, and we can use our insurance to sue.

Answer 3

Socialized health care is not free, it is collected by an increase in taxes from working professionals. Also, when everyone is forced to have government health care it reduces the quality of the service. Doctors and Nurses have no incentive to better treat their patients, there are strikes and you have to wait 6 months to get an MRI.

The U.S. offers top quality care and there are other people competing in the field to offer cheaper alternatives to those who can afford it (ie Mediclinic)

Also, when sick Europeans and Canadians really need treatment they come to the U.S. because they know they can get it faster and better.

For those of you who think doctors are only in it for the money. Well, a Doctor has to go through 4 years of undergrad, 4 years of Med school and 4 or more years of residency. That alone is 10 + years of schooling that does not come cheap. Many doctors in America work hard to get where they are and they deserve to be highly compensated to keep people healthy and alive.

Answer 4

Everyone will gives me thumbs down and disagree with me on this but I am very opinionated on it.  The people don't want to have a FEW more taxes to help people who really need help. It has nothing to do with the fact that it will be govt run and will be screwed up.. It has nothing to do with medical care will be sacrificed.. I live in the US and in the last 5 years I have had some of the worst MD's you could ever have in your life.. some of the most incompetant medical professionals.. they got their license in another country and come here to practice for a tax break.. so thats bull. the US will always have enough MD's.. you may not be able to get the BEST but you know what.. you can't get the BEST now.. their patient load is too full..they won't take new patients.. All this c**p about having to wait 6-8 months for a non emergency procedure.. Try this. If I need to have gall bladder surgery and I don't have insurance TODAY.. I have to pay half down before they will even schedule me so to say that we won't be able to get non emergency services for months.. at least we can get them.. right now, if you have no insurance.. you can't get them unless you pay up front...I know a lady who needs surgery but it's not considered life threatening and they told her they needed her $14,000 up front .. so do I care if I have to pay a few hundred dollars extra in taxes every year. h**l no.. it beats knowing my friend will die because she can't get a simple surgery (that will take less than 30 minutes) because she's not lucky enough to have been born with a silver spoon in her mouth.. People assume EVERYONE can get care if they have to go to the ER to get it.. try it.. The last time I went to an ER a patient came in without insurance and they told her it wasn't life or death and they made her leave.. so that bull c**p doesn't fly with me... I had insurance and they almost didn't see me (and I had a kidney stone) because it wasn't life or death..If everyone can get basic health care then why is my friend gonna die because she can't get surgery.. She could have gotten it treated 5 years ago for $500 IF she had had insurance but now.. it's out of control. Everybody will thumbs down me but it is pure greed. If the people who don't want to pay for it needed it they would throw a fit if people said to them "sorry I don't want to use my taxes to help you".. they will deny that and it will p**s them off but wait till it hits close to home...

It's sickening that in this great country illegals are better cared for than citizens who work and actually pay taxes.. and it's sad that if you are poor you are looked at like scum and as a burden on society but if your rich.. you are fantastic and a contributing member of society.. What people don't realize is MOST poor people contribute to society ..they just were not lucky enough to be born into wealth

So it all comes down to greed.

Answer 5

We does the rest of the WORLD make it's workers pay for everyone elses health care ?  They certain don't care aboout their people of that there is no doubt.  

I don't work 60-70 hours a week so that I  can be forced to pay for health care for those who don't.

Answer 6

My opinion: Because we are a money hungry country where quality of life comes second to success and power. That's why my dad is in Taiwan receiving excellent health care for cheap. Everything about this country revolves around money, power, and politics. I love this country, but I feel we need to change our priorities in a bad way.

Answer 7

We are the only country to pay for health care because we are the only country with decent health care. As an example, if you need surgery in England, you are put on a list. Most people die before they ever get the surgery. That doesn't happen here. Also, did you know that free dental is included in England? Yes. And 68% of the people of England have NEVER been to a dentist. Why? They can't get an appointment. That is how it works when it's free. Nobody gets good health care unless you are mega rich and go to a private hospital and private doctor and private clinic.

Answer 8

Because American doctors make up one of the most affluent and powerful grass roots organization in America.

Them and the American pharmaceutical industry block every attempt to provide national health care.

Answer 9

it's not the only country you have to pay for health care .

Answer 10

It is where we have freedoms and not promises. Our documents say promote the general welfare, not provide the general welfare. Why do so many people come here for surguries. People who have a chance of dying sneak across the border from Canada to have surgery in USA. Do you want the goverment to tell you that you are to old to get a bypass so you will have to die while people in the governent have $90,000 in cash in there freezer. Governments are the worst run entities in the country. If any business ran the way our government runs they  would go out of business.

Answer 11

it's not like that in Canada.

nothing in the U.S is straight forward.

Answer 12

Nowhere in the world there is 'free lunch' in the Healthcare Department!  In some countries it is subsidised.

Answer 13

I'd rather pay taxes for health care than taxes to bail out irresponsible home loan borrowers or Bear Stearns, or a five years and running debacle in Iraq, etc.

Answer 14

dunno ;[. got screwed up somewhere along the way.

Answer 15

I lol'd at your question. It's paid through taxes. Just because you aren't taking money out of your wallet when you go to the doctor doesn't mean it's free.

Answer 16

It's not.  There are these things called taxes.  In Germany, sales tax alone is 16%.

Answer 17

Universal healthcare is funded through taxpayers' dollars, it not free.

Universal healthcare is managed by the government.

History shows us that government-run programs are unbelievably inefficient, wasteful, and often hemorrhage money.

The people of these other countries you speak of let the government take money from their paychecks to fund the program.

Since government is wasteful, the money, if not taken from the people of the country in question, would have a greater earning potential in the hands of private citizens.

Therefor, if the government lets the people keep the money and deal with their own healthcare the people will get a greater amount of care for the same amount of money than if the healthcare was provided through the government.

Logic my boy. Logic.