To the actual question, which I realise I didn't address...poor health is, as we've discussed, difficult to discern the cause of, but without doubt it is at least contributed to by the consequences of government policy (anything from investing in a factory to taxing sports equipment) so it seems only fair that same institution pay for the health impact of those consequences. — Isaac
But I think the state has an interest to eliminate poverty, disease, crime, etc. from society as much as possible. Otherwise a vacuum can develop that can threaten the state's own existence. — Apollodorus
"The Lost Cause". Too many nonwhite citizens & immigrants scares White 'Murica. Also, antebellum nostalgia is still the religion, or ideology, of +40% of our electorate. :shade:Funny thing is, pretty much anywhere outside of 'merica, the provision of healthcare to all is taken as a given.
And the world does not fall appart.
The only curiosity here is, why can't 'mercans see this? What went astray in 'mercan culture? — Banno
:clap:We have free medical care in Australia and have had so for many decades, It works pretty well and people are not bankrupted here if they get sick. — Tom Storm
So it can be a civilized state. — Tom Storm
I'll first make you buy the poison dirt cheap and then once you fall ill I'll make you pay through your nose for the antidote. — The State
The Fregoli delusion is a rare disorder in which a person holds a delusional belief that different people are in fact a single person who changes appearance or is in disguise. — Wikipedia
Also, why is (junk) food easy on the pocket but treatment of obesity-related issues expensive? Why is smoking cheaper than treatment for lung cancer? It's as if the state, that's us actually, finds it highly profitable to make us sick first and then treat us for that sickness. — TheMadFool
What should the state be responsible for? And why? — frank
Think you might have that around the wrong way.
But hey, it's your health. If paying more for a worse result is what you want.. — Banno
It's The 'Murican Way (you foreigners just don't get how "exceptional" we are). Wealthcare über alles, y'all! :victory: :mask:But hey, it's your health. If paying more for a worse result is what you want... — Banno
This is the same issue Isaac raised. I think that's more capitalism than the state, tho. — frank
A healthy population (and healthy workforce) is essential to a strong economy. In most countries health care is either funded by, provided by, or managed by the State. Given that the State is in the best position to coordinate public and private health care, it should be in charge. — Bitter Crank
My view is that a civilized state works to build cohesive community and the health and happiness of its citizens through the provision of care, essential services and amenities. — Tom Storm
Why? — frank
There are and have been civilized states that didn't provide healthcare. — frank
Remember that healthcare as we know it emerged in the 20th Century, mostly after WW2. — frank
:100:One thing's for sure: the American experience shows privatized healthcare is an utter failure that not only entrenches misery and poverty, but costs multiple times more than a public healthcare system. — StreetlightX
Too much social friction begins to undermine the stability of society, such that there is more disorder, more disruption, less production, less consumption, and so on. If social friction becomes very severe, one ends up with a revolution or worse, a failed state. — Bitter Crank
Why is the state in the best position to coordinate care? — frank
For what it's worth, it is my understanding that President Truman proposed universal health care in the US in the early 1950s. Richard Nixon also supported a system similar to Obamacare back in the early 1970s. — T Clark
) it is national in scope
b) it has the power to compel compliance
c) it has law making authority
d) it has great revenue-raising capacity
Because it is national in scope, it can eliminate regional inadequacies (such as exist in the SE and SW United States).
Because it has the power to compel compliance, institutions (hospitals, AMA, pharmaceutical corporations, etc.) and individuals can not disregard state directives on minimum standards of care (affecting every aspect of health care). The state has extraordinary leverage when it is the pocketbook from which providers will be paid.
The state is in a position to legislate how health care will be organized.
Because the state has national revenue raising capacity, it can distribute the cost of care across the entire tax base (including corporations who would no longer have to provide expensive health care insurance programs). — Bitter Crank
If you nationalize the health sector, more people can afford healthcare but quality takes a hit.
If you privatize the healthsector, quality is A1 but fewer people can afford it. — TheMadFool
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