On the right vs privilege thing…it seems that our current system treats “emergency” care as a right and “on-going, real treatment” like a privilege – whether or not you think that’s right – that’s what it seems to be. Theoretically maybe this already is the right (or close to the right) ideology. But then to WE’s earlier point – this ideology does foster higher costs in the system due to unnecessary “emergency care”.
It could very well be that the current proposals for change will make both types of care a right and that theoretically this is actually the right scenario. But will that make costs and care worse because you can’t provide everything to everyone and expect everyone’s cost to stay low and care to stay high?

I know! Maybe “on-going, real treatment” should be a right and “emergency care” should be a privilege. Give and take on the government-run, free programs. Switch them so that hopefully the ‘freeloaders’ (not name-calling, just an economic term) will migrate to the other side. Then change the horrible ‘payer’system to decrease costs in general and be done. Viola! Actually, I’m sure there are all kinds of holes in this idea too since there have been holes in every other idea I can think of…

Also, WE – I like how you said that you are not scared to have the conversation. I, too, get fed up by those on both sides of the current political issue that just bully. People take these extremist ideas and run with them batting their head against a wall and listening to no one. But maybe I should give us all a break for our irrational behavior because like I commented on your first health care post – we always suspect the worst especially when it has to do with something that we really know so little about.

Not to stir the pot too much, but I also feel like people want to have thier cake and eat it too with the health care system. Nobody wants to pay for it, but nobody is willing to go without care or watch people die because they don’t recieve care. Not that I am saying anyone should be okay with people not recieving care or watching people die when they don’t recieve care that could save thier lives. I just wonder, is it really possible? Is it really possible to provide EVERYONE with EVERY type of care they could possibly need to survive, and still have it be affordable to EVERYONE? It sounds like a really good idea, and if we can figure it out, I’m all for it. But there is a part of me that sometimes says it’s not realistically possible. I would like it to be, I really would. But sometimes I wonder if it really is. Just sharing some of my thoughts and questions.

Which brings me to another question that I sometimes have which I think also contributes to this whole reform thing: Do you view health care as a privelage or a right? Before you go off on me for this question, really stop and think about it. I’m not saying which it is or should be. But think about it……is health care a privelage or a right? Or does it have to be so black and white, could it be somewhere in the middle? Is that even possible? To be honest, when I think about it like that, I go back and forth on my opinions and sometimes I just don’t know.