Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Alice In Health Care (3/8)
What arguments does Sowell make against government health care? Do you agree or disagree?
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Sowell argues that the government is spending too much on health care because they are paying for it in the first place. He criticizes their solution to pay even more of these bills. Sowell derides legislation that forces hospitals to care for all, whether they can pay or not. He believes that the public option for health care will be the only reasonable one, as government legislation drives up the prices of private insurance company premiums.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sowell. Not everyone is entitled to health care, or "free" health care. If you can't pay, you shouldn't receive the service. However, I do not believe that the public option will be the only option left. If government health care becomes inadequate or is rejected by doctors (as it often already is), then it will become obsolete.
Sowell points out that with government health care, people use it more. If they don't have to pay the medical costs, they end up wasting doctors time with minor and unnecessary issues of "i have the sniffles." And if the government regulates and places mandates on insurance companies, people aren't going to be able, or want to pay, for the higher prices the companies would have to impose.
ReplyDeleteI'd have to agree with him. If the government is going to provide health care, then there should be specific places for people to go depending on their condition. Obviously if you have an emergency you don't want the guy with a sore throat to take precedence over your missing arm, and if you're sick you don't want to be put on the back burner for 6 hours. This all needs to be in proportion, or not at all.
There should be a choice between government and private health care, and the government shouldn't be imposing ridiculous and unnecessary mandates to drive private costs up too high.
I think the overall argument that Sowell makes is that government health care is a sort of a "cop-out" from paying direct, and more expensive health care costs. I do indeed find it interesting when he says that now more than ever, we tend to go to the doctor for even the most minor of health issues (eg. A sore throat; a cold) because our insurance pays for a large bulk of the cost. In a way, I guess I have agree with him, because, as Sowell does indeed make it seem, that health care in general makes the American lazy and unwilling. Perhaps we need a wake up call, and maybe we need to cut some health care. Certainly not the emergency room mandates, but perhaps insurance companies shouldn't cover a minor visit to the pediatrician ever time you go.
ReplyDeleteSowell’s argument is that the government is paying too much for health care. They should not be paying for any of it. If the government continues to pay, people will just go to the doctors for the smallest of things, like a rash. I agree with Sowell. I think that some people cannot afford health care and should be allowed to go and get some assistance from a clinic or a hospital, but not all the time. I think if the government is going to mandate or provide government health care there should be some restrictions and rules.
ReplyDeleteI am very iffy about this, because on one hand I think that everybody should just fend for themselves and rely on themselves. But I understand that is not possible for everybody, and people need help. So I really don't know what we should do about the government health care situation.
ReplyDeleteSowell argues that the government is spending too much on health care. I have to disagree with him in a way. I do believe that many should pay for their own health care, but on the other hand, the government is spending too much on other things, like war. He is correct in the fact that people these days tend to go to the doctor for minor issues, and the government is paying for that. These minor things should be paid for personally and not by the government necessarily, but all in all I think the government should help a little in paying for serious procedures and annual check ups. Headaches, etc, should be paid for by the people.
ReplyDeleteIt is refreshing to see Allison posting an original opinion on this blog. I have to say, it seems that everyone pretty much agrees with the author of any given comlumn because people are incapable of formulating their own thoughts. I am choosing not to take a position on this article because I'd like to see future articles stimulate some actual discussion.
ReplyDeleteAlthough people may abuse the system and go to the doctor for minor ailments, when I have a serious medical issue I should not be punished because I can't afford to take care of whatever the issue may be. Personally, if you choose a lifestyle that knowingly brings about health issues you should be responsible for those bills (smoking, eating McDonald's for every meal of the day) because you made a conscious choice on how to live your life. However, if something arises such as tumors or whatever the case may be, then the government should take care of it.
ReplyDeleteMoshe.. hahaha! The author happens to share my belief that a government run health care system is not the best way to reform health care in America. It is not, and should not, be the governments role to provide health care.
ReplyDelete