Healthcare originally was for people who could only afford it and now the reform is so everybody can have it. This affects social justice because it is making healthcare equal for everyone, but is it actually hurting people in the long run. You could live in the healthiest state, but the reality is that people in your state still go hungry every night and this reform would help them be able to have a steady income to live on and to be treated if they receive a disease. There are 46.6 million people without health insurance.
Is it fair for the people that have health insurance to get these benefits, they are paying for it because they can afford it. The reform wants to make it so that everybody has healthcare and that it is all equal. In doing this it makes everybody have benefits, which might help the population increase because less would be dieing from diseases and starvation, but the personal care might go down towards patients because there would be less people in the health field to help them, and there might be an overload in patients. Also, care to the elderly might go down because they will get less benefits since they are older and if this happens is it fair to them. I don't think it is. There are 81% of uninsured families that have at least one adult working, but still don't have insurance because of their job and they can afford it on the salary they are getting. People who used to have insurance might have lost it because now companies are taking away their insurance because it is cheaper for them, which i think is wrong to do. When creating this healthcare reform you have to think about the cost it is going to have because it is going to be expensive to pay for every body's insurance, which will put the United States in more debt.
The main problem I am getting to is, Is it fair for us to accept the Healthcare Reform because it makes everybody have equal insurance? Does that make it better for everyone? Is this reform a good thing to accept into our lives? I think we won't really know until we try it out, but if the coverage for other people goes down is it worth hurting some people to help out other people?
If you want to read the article the site is http://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/marapr2007p24.shtml .
I believe that in transforming our country's health care system in order to make it more equal for everyone, it will cause more harm than good in the long run. Health care should be treated more as a privilege than as a right. Those who work hard to receive an income and can pay for health care should receive quality care. However, those who cannot afford it for whatever reason should not be given health care because it would be paid for by hardworking citizens. In addition, the quality of everyone's health care would go down because there would be more people eligible for care. Companies should work to provide their employees with this privilege, but it is the responsibility of each individual to make sure they are receiving the care they need and can afford. Trying to make the health care system more equal seems like a good idea, but it is unfair and will not be beneficial in the long run.
ReplyDeleteI agree I believe that everyone deserves to have a equal opportunity to have health care but only if they work hard enough for it or show that they are trying. We need to come up with a plan that will provide citizens with health care as long as they are showing that they are contributing something. It is one thing if someone is poor and they just accept it but it is another thing if they are actually trying to make ends meet but just can't.
ReplyDeleteHealthcare should be earned, not given. If everyone is given equal healthcare, the system will begin to crumble because the amount of people in need is overwhelming. A weak healthcare system will benefit no one. This reform promises equal healthcare to all but if the amount of healthcare is stretched too thin then its purpose will not be served. It is sad that some are not able to afford healthcare, but this does not mean that they should receive it if there is someone else who can pay. The level of healthcare a person receives should reflect their work. Health services should be earned as a privileged, not guaranteed as a right.
ReplyDeleteAccepting this reform would put us all in danger of receiving mediocre to weak healthcare. Enabling everyone to receive equal health treatment would be ideal if that meant that the level of healthcare would stay strong. However, with so many in need, the system would surely weaken.
Are people seriously saying that poor people should not have health care because they can't afford it?! So, basically people are saying that all the poor people who can't afford health care should just suffer with their sickness or if worse comes to worse, die? First of all we are all pretty bias on this topic because considering the fact that we are all students at a expensive private college, we all more than likely come from families who do not even have to think twice about getting full health coverage for all family members. So we need to step outside our box and think about the hardworking poor who can't afford to take their sick children to the doctors office because the payments without insurance are astronomical. To some extent, we need to show some empathy for those who are desperately suffering because of the current conditions of our health care system.
ReplyDeleteNow of course I am not saying that everyone should have health care and it should be paid for by the rich. I am simply saying that all those who are legal citizens of this nation, and pay taxes should have health coverage or be eligible for a government funded insurance program. The idea of having a nationalized health care system obviously seems "unfair" to those in the higher income bracket because technically they will be paying much more than those in the lower income bracket, however, from my knowledge the intentions of the taxes that would cover the health care reform would be percentage based similar to the way social security works. Everyone would be taxed the same percentage but the amount of money for those with higher income will be more. This may seem unfair to those with higher income, but how can those in higher income brakcets complain about taxes being unfair when we have over 18,000 Americans dying each year because they are uninsured? People do not choose to not have health care, so lets not portray it as a personal choice. Instead lets look at what we can do as a nation to improve equality in health care coverage.
I also need to state that the eldery are not losing coverage because of the reform. In the most recent health care reform acts the Medicare coverage gap for prescription drugs was closed, therefore increasing coverage for the elderly by including more of their prescription drugs in their Medicare coverage. Also, kids with pre-exisiting conditions will no longer be denied coverage because of the Patient Protection Acts. Pre-existing conditions are health conditions that occured before coverage began and prior to this act patients could be denied coverage in the middle of treatment because of pre-existing conditions.
In the constitution we are all granted life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But how can we possibly fulfill life and happiness without health insurance? If you were godforbid to be diagnosed with a terminal disease and you have no health insurance, there goes your right to life because with no insurance there is no treatment.
I think that healthcare reform should definitely be implemented in our country. I believe that the government should go as far as providing American citizens with free universal healthcare. This program has been successful in many other countries and it has many benefits. It is actually cheaper than private healthcare which costs the United States government a lot of money. The cost is so cheap because drugs can be purchased in greater bulk, prices for services can be negotiated at a lower rate due to the larger pool, and a large singular system would reduce the services involved in processing insurance and medical services.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the idea of healthcare being something you need to earn, I would have to disagree. As shown by the original post a percentage of people without healthcare are children. We cannot expect children to go out and try to find a job so that they can have some sort of health coverage. If a child is sick they should be able to receive treatment without having to worry how they are going to pay for it. Also with the state of today's job market, it is unfair to say that if you work hard you will find a job the gives you healthcare. Many people are getting laid-off, and not necessarily because they are not working hard enough at their job. Now, not only do they have to worry about not having a source of income but they also have to worry about no longer having healthcare.
There are many reasons why a person should fear becoming sick, but I do not think that one of them should be because they cannot afford treatment. The government should start to take responsibility for the health of its citizens through providing some from of healthcare reform.
I, like other citizens in the country, have found myself debating Healthcare Reform. I have heard that the proposed Healthcare Reform brings about issues like longer waits to see doctors, physicians, etcetera, as well as the government appointment of doctors. In terms of the latter, I am certain that I would be uncomfortable with not choosing my own doctor. The article pointed out that providing everyone with health care would cause the country's debt to increase; the United States is already in absurd amounts of debt, so why not add on to it if it betters the health and lives for everyone? Despite these issues, as another blogger pointed out, the program the United States wants to adopt has been successful in other countries. I do find it problematic that more people would seek out medical attention for even minor issues, but if the reform is beneficial to everyone overall than maybe the country should test it out. Finally, I also agree that health care should be provided not earned. Maybe, for example, a single person who is too ill to work is without health care. How would they “earn” it? I am willing to give this reform a chance if it is going to benefit the health and lives of people overall.
ReplyDeleteI understand the concerns about giving everyone healthcare and the argument that it is very expensive to do so, but I fully believe that it is the right thing to do. Therefore, I agree with some of the bloggers that everyone should receive healthcare. Like Allison mentioned, a portion of the people that we are talking about that are not covered are children. They are helpless and there is nothing they can do about obtaining coverage, and we cannot expect them to find jobs so that they can be covered. Therefore, the government should help them out and give them coverage. In schools, the government has enacted such laws as No Child Left Behind, which works to make sure that all children are receiving a quality education, so why shouldn't the government help all of the children get healthcare as well?
ReplyDeleteOur government helps the poor out with such things as welfare and food stamps. They are not expected to “earn” these. The government tries to help them out financially if they cannot even afford necessities like food, so how can we expect them then to afford healthcare? The government is going to try and help these people out so they are not starving on the streets, so they should not let them be out on the streets in need of medical help but not be able to get any because they do not have healthcare coverage.
The Social Work Today website referred to in the original blog post said that “The consequences for those who cannot afford or are not offered health insurance are life-altering.” If someone without healthcare is severely hurt or becomes very sick, they should be able to receive the care that they need. We need to be fair to all of our legal citizens in the country and we certainly should not leave anyone behind. Also, if this program has worked in other countries, then we should at least give it a try in ours and see how it works out.
The current Health care reform is a very complicated issue. I do believe that children do need to be guaranteed health care because clearly they cannot do much. However, I have issues with what others are saying. First off, you cannot make a statement about a whole group of people. Not every person at Merrimack is from a wealthy family. Many students have worked very hard and earned scholarships to go. Others have had to take out huge loans in hopes of gaining a good education to get a good job. In addition, there ARE people who chose not to have health care. No matter what health care dose cost money and for people who do not get sick some may take the risk and keep that money. Again, health care in no way can be free. What is the likely hood of someone going to medical school occurring hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt just to work free. Not only would Doctor’s need to work free but all manufacturers of medical equipment would too. Already doctors have already stopped accepting new patients. Although public hospitals would have to accept patients with this government health care, you will then have to deal with the wait and lack of effective treatment. A huge issue will also be job loss because of it. Think of all the people who work for insurance firms. These people will not be able to keep their jobs if health insurance becomes controlled by the government. Finally, the law about pre-existing conditions may hurt people. Just because someone may not be denied coverage wile already covered, that person can be denied to be accepted. In this case, the only option they would have is to go on government coverage and receive lesser treatment.
ReplyDeleteCurrently, 48% of American citizens do not what the health care bill that was passed. Clearly, people are seeing how bad this will be for the country. The only way the government has to pay for this is to increase taxes. If people want to take on this health care, that is fine but they should be the only ones who have to pay for it. How is it fair for someone who already pays health care to have to pay for others?
When looking at health care reform from the perspective of social justice, the main objective is providing health care coverage to every uninsured American. This is essential because every citizen should be entitled to good health and equality of health care. Consequently, this notion is still not accepted. There are almost 50 million Americans that are not insured, which is an extremely high number. President Obama’s main objective coming into office was to fix the flaws within the healthcare system. He wanted to establish a universal healthcare bill that would enable uninsured Americans to be covered. Health care is a subject that creates a controversial aspect to understanding of equality. In my opinion, health care reform was crucial. How would you feel if you were denied health care? In America, healthcare has been viewed in many ways as a privilege. Only the people who could afford it would get the proper health care. This notion that healthcare is a privilege proves how health care without reform is fundamentally wrong. I believe health care should be a natural right, something that each citizen of the US should be guaranteed. Health care should be available to any individual that needs that attention. Furthermore, with the passage of President Obama’s universal health care bill, health care will finally be an equal aspect to our society. Meaning, that health care coverage will not just be associated with Americans that can afford it, but it will be accessible to any one. Economic status will not be a dependent factor in who gets health care coverage. In final, I strongly believe that health care should be right and not a privilege.
ReplyDeleteAt first, universal healthcare sounds like a good idea. People can receive care at hospitals without being denied. Those who cannot afford it would not have to worry about costs, and we all live happily ever after. In reality, we have to wake up and realize that this reform has no chance of working. If anything, the problems will outweigh the benefits. My family has worked very hard to earn quality health insurance. It would not be fair if my family lost the benefits included in the insurance that they paid for and earned. Also, if all healthcare was equal, it does not make sense that someone who does not have to pay for healthcare would be getting all the same benefits as me, who has to pay for healthcare. The government does not have the money to be handing out healthcare to the less fortunate. There are still too many faults with the healthcare reform; therefore, it should not be passed or placed into effect. Yes, I do sympathize with those who cannot afford healthcare, but the government should seek a more effective alternative to help. For example, maybe certain types of healthcare should be included as a form of welfare.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though every citizen of the U.S. should be entitled to good health care. I don't at all see why someone with little income should be denied proper treatments and the chance for a long, healthy life. I think a lot of time, upper and middle class people don't realize the advantages they have or the advantages they can buy. Just because someone can afford good health care doesn't mean they deserve it any more than someone who can't afford it. The stereotype that poorer people are lazy and should thus be denied basic services like health care is ridiculous. Many working and lower class people are in their financial situations due to circumstances outside of their control such as lack of education because of their parents' lack of wealth, layoffs, and difficulty finding jobs in this economy. A lack of money shouldn't mean a lack of attention from doctors and appropriate treatments. In my opinion, everyone should be entitled to low-cost, equal healthcare. If people in the middle or upper classes want to choose to spend their money on what they perceive to be a better plan, they should still have that choice. However, they should not complain about paying their taxes and helping out their less fortunate fellow citizens. Further, I don't see why the idea of a universal health care plan is so upsetting for people. Doctors will not all of a sudden become less competent; they will still be educated and qualified. The only difference with this plan is that everyone, not just the middle and upper classes, will have the right to be examined and treated. Why is that such a bad thing?
ReplyDeleteI feel that no one should have to suffer because they cannot afford healthcare, but I also agree that no one should have to pay to make up for those who do not have it. We shouldn’t leave people for dead and have them figure it out on their own; because the reality is that no matter what some people do they cannot and will not ever be able to afford health insurance. In the recent blog post about homelessness, some people are stuck in a rut of being poor and hardly being able to come up with food and keeping a roof over their head, these people cannot afford health insurance! Despite the fact that I feel that people do need to be helped out with affording health care, I do not feel as though it is fair for those who already have health insurance to pay more to support those who need it or cannot afford it as readily. Even some families with health insurance have financial issues and that needs to be accounted for. I am at a loss for what the government to do to help out both sides of the situation; the poor who need health insurance and keeping it fair for those who already have it. I do not think it is an equal aspect for people to go without it nor do I think its equal for others to have to pay more to support them.
ReplyDeleteThe health care refer does not provide free health care to everyone it provides low cost health care. People who oppose health care reform might look at the health insurance agency as a business. if the government provides low cost health care it is unfair compeition to all of the other health insurance providers who are forced to lower their cost to stay in business and compete with the government. While it may affect the health care industry in a drastic way health care reform is still necessary in this country. he governments job is to provide for the welfare of the people in the UNited States and providing affordable health care to are is providing for their welfare. While the effects on the health care industry may not be all good, people have t realize that the well beg of the country is more a more important matter than business.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you who think that health care for all would be great, consider this: Since we currently do not have the finances to support universal healthcare in the United States, we would have to borrow money from other "World Powers", such as China. Though the idea is good, this would put us at a tremendous debt; a debt that, in ten years, we would have to pay off as we are working hard and trying to raise families. Imagine having a healthy family who watches their diet, hygene and other health factors and having to pay money out of your pocket every month so people can smoke, use drugs, binge eat and get STDs. To me, that's the epitome of a communist society. Many people just agree to support reforms such as universal health care without thinking about the future consequences of our actions. I understand that people do deserve health care, but at the moment with the present condition of our economy, it's just not practical.
ReplyDeleteI believe that health care is a basic human right. Every American citizen, should be able to receive help if they are sick. I understand that if everyone were to receive healthcare it may seem unfair because some people earn more, and thus pay more in taxes in order to fund the health care of everyone. However, I believe it is the morally right thing to do. Most people who are poor, do not want to be poor, and try very hard to work up. With our current economic situation however, America seems to be developing into more of a class system, where it is harder and harder to find jobs, and thus more and more difficult to move up the social/income ladder. Moreover, equal access to health care is a must. Everyone should be able to receive medical help whether they are a billionaire or practically living on the streets. Access to health care means the difference between life and death for many. I believe that the overall well being of Americans is worth the cost.
ReplyDeleteThis article could not have been more realistic. Healthcare for all sounds like a great idea, but so does communism until it is put into action. There are many repercussions to giving health to all, the biggest being ‘what imaginary money are we paying for this with?’ Government spending has gone way out of control and is increasing the cost of living. Higher cost of living causes companies to not be able to hire as many full time employees. It is a law that full time employees must have healthcare paid for by work. Less government spending will cause less poverty, more jobs, and more covered by insurance while improving our economy. Also, the bill is trying to lower the amount doctors are paid. A high salary is a doctor’s incentive for going to school for so long and accepting twelve years or so in college loans. The smartest people will not become doctors because they will never pay off their student loans. We will end up with even less competent doctors than we already have and I only want the brightest and best taking care of my health. Also, more government programs increases taxes which results in a higher cost of living. A higher cost of living hurts the economy.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it seems unfair that those who are working hard for healthcare would receive the same benefits as the poor, but who is to say the poor is not working hard? Just because you cannot afford it does not necessarily mean it is because you are not working hard enough. However, like Michael said where would we locate the funds for something like this? I think if government spending in other areas was decreased, and allocated to the need of something like this, then maybe it could be an option. I agree that we have to think about the future, but we also need to consider those who are suffering currently. Providing those in need with healthcare may give them the care they need to get back on their feet and land themselves in better jobs.
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