Post 6 - Univeral Healthcare

A current issue within the United States that deeply concerns me is universal healthcare. Although some individuals or families are drowning in healthcare bills, I do not believe universal healthcare is practical. Who covers the cost of universal healthcare? 

In a country with universal healthcare, the hard working tax payers are the ones who pay for it. Say, I work anywhere from 40-60 hours on a normal week and am taxed 25-30%. Then, my neighbor down the street does not work, does not pay taxes and has no intention of getting a job. With universal healthcare, I (the hard working tax payer) am responsible for providing my healthcare along with my (non working) neighbor's healthcare. That does not seem like a fair plan. In a article I read, states "In the United Kingdom and other European countries, payroll taxes average 37% – much higher than the 15.3% payroll taxes paid by the average US worker."

I believe the quality of healthcare would dwindle with socialized healthcare. I believe it would lead to lest than best doctors, longer wait times, and overuse or abuse of services. In a world were the tax payers supply the doctors wages equally, do you really know if you are getting the A+ doctor or the C- doctor? There would probably doctor shortages because of the equality of things. The A+ doctor does not want the same salary as the C- doctor. The A+ doctor worked harder and earnings should reflect that. Long wait time can be contributed to a limited amount of specialists and time required with each patient. "In the United States, only 25% of patients had to wait at least four weeks to see a specialist compared to 59% in Canada, 56% in Norway, and 43% in the United Kingdom – all countries that have some form of a universal right to health care." Most people do not go to the doctor for a 24 hour virus, common cold, or sinus infection. Most know it will run its course or treat it with Nyquil or a hot toddy. But with socialized healthcare, an individual might make the decision to go just because many the doctor can give them "the good stuff" for free. I had a friend work at an ER tell me that some one with Medicaid came in for a papercut. That's just ridiculous, but that is socialized healthcare.

Socialized healthcare kills the American Dream. You have the government hold your hand instead of working hard for what you want. 

Canadian Institute for Health Information, “How Canada Compares: Results from the Commonwealth Fund’s 2016 International Health Policy Survey of Adults in 11 Countries – Data Tables,” cihi.ca, 2016

Paul Roderick Gregory, “Obamacare a Mess? Liberals Say Go Single Payer,” forbes.com, Oct. 28, 2013