Obama comment to AMA?

[smilyball]

I think advocates of "universal" healthcare view it as a priority on par with other priorities like education. Which we fund without deference to the individual's ability to pay.

No one practically questions the who or how education is paid for because most people accept that it's a priority worth investing in.:2 cents:

I think it really does come down to what you want to consider a basic human right. IMHO, food, clean water, shelter, education, basic health care and national defense all fall under the umbrella of basic human right. The government is given the right to prosecute wars and military action because to fail to do so could result in the destruction of our nation (whether our government uses this ability wisely or successfully is another question). The same goes for access to food, water and healthcare. We entrust our government to provide these things for the nation as a whole because without them the nation cannot exist for long.

I agree, on the face of it, that making some seniors pay more than others is unfair, but that seems to be the only way of providing healthcare for all - those better able to pay for their medicine do so, and those less able are given assistance. Sometimes it sucks to help your fellow man (or woman). But it seems like we ought to if we want to continue to exist as a nation.

 

[Hot Mega]

I think it really does come down to what you want to consider a basic human right. IMHO, food, clean water, shelter, education, basic health care and national defense all fall under the umbrella of basic human right. The government is given the right to prosecute wars and military action because to fail to do so could result in the destruction of our nation (whether our government uses this ability wisely or successfully is another question). The same goes for access to food, water and healthcare. We entrust our government to provide these things for the nation as a whole because without them the nation cannot exist for long.

I agree, on the face of it, that making some seniors pay more than others is unfair, but that seems to be the only way of providing healthcare for all - those better able to pay for their medicine do so, and those less able are given assistance. Sometimes it sucks to help your fellow man (or woman). But it seems like we ought to if we want to continue to exist as a nation.

Two things. I think in 99 pct. of cases a "right" is something that can never be given but only taken.

With respect to some seniors with the means paying more...well, if we're going to get it someone is going to pay "more". Who do you suggest this falls on?

 

[smilyball]

Two things. I think in 99 pct. of cases a "right" is something that can never be given but only taken.

I'll accept that definition. I'd argue that something like basic healthcare is part of the "right" to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." More specifically, if you can't get treatment for a preventable disease, your right to life is being taken away.

With respect to some seniors with the means paying more...well, if we're going to get it someone is going to pay "more". Who do you suggest this falls on?

First, as previously discussed in this thread, some of it is going to come from tax dollars - which will take more from the wealthy and less from the poor. I think there is an argument to be made that charging for medicine would be "re-taxing" the wealthy elderly, however, if "wealthy" is $200k+, I think they can afford to pay a little more than someone living on a retirement pension of $50k.

 

[Hot Mega]

I'll accept that definition. I'd argue that something like basic healthcare is part of the "right" to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." More specifically, if you can't get treatment for a preventable disease, your right to life is being taken away.

Hmm.. that's interesting considering the leading cause of death is life. But fair enough...I just think it's extremely difficult to confer healthcare to someone as a right when it must be provided to you by someone else. At best IMO it's a legislative priority like education.