Originally Posted by Danik

This is doubtful unless this country as a whole gets really smart about how it chooses to live. So many people are obese that it is disgusting and heart disease and diabetes is developing at a rapid pace due to so many unhealthy lifestyles. It doesn't even begin to consider the number of preventative medicine that people "require" because they refuse to eat better, exercise, or both. It might drop costs slightly due to a larger pool of people, but one would be naive to think that with the rising costs of health care this is an affordable plan. I'm sorry if I don't understand why I should be subsidizing pigs, drunks, and smokers.

The main problem I see is that it supposedly would cut costs through preventative care, however, it also removes the incentive for people to perform basic, easy tasks to stay healthy. Too many people want a magic pill for everything, and too many people want everything paid for them.

Originally Posted by nerv14

In Europe and Canada universal healthcare is very popular and even though Europeans smoke alot they still don't have a problem with unbearable costs from lunge cancer. Even though America is different, I haven't heard any real evidence that it will be too much different than Europe. Even though we spend more on education and our schooling is worse, I still think it will work for healthcare.

I understand what you are saying about people not taking as good of care of themselves but Canadians are still healthier even with universal healthcare. Anyway, I don't think people will change their lifestyle too much if medicine is free.

Its a risk but i think it is worth it.

Originally Posted by Danik

Actual these countries have to reform their health care because of the costs associate with them. Lowering benefits even further and probably making the lines even longer. As a whole quality health care for everyone is out of reach at this point in time.

Originally Posted by nerv14

There are some problems but the system is still working very well and practically no one wants to elliminate universal healthcare where it is offered. It isn't out of reach at all for most of the people who currently have it and the people in the United States who want it.

Originally Posted by nerv14

(*)(*)(*)(*) this must have taken a long time but good job toby, lots of info.


(I would be curious if overall how the stats have changed today. You don't need to do any more work but if you had an estimate that would be nice. )

Originally Posted by BillyBob

Poverty in America has been eradicated.

Originally Posted by Toby

I got it from the heratage foundation.