Should Everyone Have Health Care? CNBC

[shellnet]

Just too out of dub to take as legit

[alienzettaexcell]

this is a fucking disgrase. how can some people be so inhumane.

[halftimeman]

I find it so unchristian to make profit from a sick and dying person, profit from suffering is wrong, very wrong, the US is the only country in the developed world with private insurance making the decision obout your care based on profit, 47 million with no health coverageshame on you all who go to church and hurn your head away to the less inteligent, rich, able. Understand that its a sin to not want to care or contribute, health is not a life choice, the companies have brainwassed you forcash

[jboritzki]

If doctors were unpaid there would be no doctors. There would be no medical supplies, no medicine, no hospitals, etc. Profit is a good thing and it is why things get done. Without the profit side, people would still be dying at 40 instead of 80. People live longer because of the profit. Because companies want to make money. The only way for thme to make money is to develope new treatments, drugs, & tests. It's profit that drives these new developments.

[onlyrey]

Mr. Cato guy, shame on you, you have to know you are wrong. The medical advances DO NOT come from health insurance and hospitals. NIH, and other government research institutions pay the bill for research of medical devices and therapies. Drug companies do development in clinical phases. BUT, most of the bill for research of new technologies is paid by Americans using TAXES.

[josisof]

In Denmark; where I live, the treatment for any disease is free! Our Health Care is one of the best in the world! We have close to no debt! We are in war in afghanistan - just got out of iraq! Wealth in a christian, democratic

capitalistic country - is about having a healty and well educated workforce! Our educations, on all levels is free, you get paid to be educated! Taking care of your fellow Americans is not only the only decent thing to do - its good buisnes!

( sorry for my english )

[dubleyhew13]

i am an american, and well said.

[HarveyRex23]

With all the debt Americans have inherited in exorbitant medical bills to college student loans to home loans to car loans to credit card debts to payday loans for the working poor, etc. It's like what Michael Moore said in his movie "Sicko". It benefits the system when people are shackled in mountains of debt. Hell, the US dollar is backed up by debt. Americans put up with a lot of shit, and yet. We still do nothing about it.

[TargetGuy2245]

BUSLLHIT

If it's free then why the hello are taxes in your country the way they are? How much are cigarettes? Gasoline? A motel room?: Nothing is "free".

[metaljh]

I live in the Unted States. I am a student, and I am in debt. My mother is disabled from a work related accident. She cannot work, but she does get money from social security. This is only enough to cover insurance, medicine, and some of her bills. I try to help her with other bills, but as i said before I am only digging myself a bigger whole. Even before my mother was injured we were poor. I wish people would do something. The government is run by such crooks and it sickens me!

[R0YB0T]

Notice the numbers he mentions on how many people are "waiting" for insurance in Britain and Canada.

Those numbers are a hell of a lot lower than the US, but he dismisses both systems regardless of this fact.

[CoolJeka]

Cant help but agree with delsolarie "You don't get what you deserve in America - it's the opposite save for a very few ". As for hamace, asnwer me plz - on average did life in US become better or worse? And can you tell me what happens when it becomes really bad (hints: Oliver Cromvel, Lenin, French Republic)? Where is ur country going?

Did you ever think of "Mewan while poor people pay next to no taxes" how much is next to no is for them? Well at least I might have entertained you a bit.

[hamace]

If you want health coverage or anything else of a personal nature, buy it your self. Most people are needy whining assholes. Only a handful of people are ever willing to stop and help another. Only a few would ever do a damd thing for anyone but them selves. Socialism is the oppposite of what america is all about. You get what you deserve. So be it.

[delsolarie]

"You get what you deserve."

If that were true, all those families whose wealth was built on the slave trade should turn to dust. All those companies who build wealth from any kind of slave labour or child labour should too. All those people who have lung problems because they were out rescuing people on 9/11 should at LEAST get the medical care they need. You don't get what you deserve in America - it's the opposite save for a very few special exceptions.

[hamace]

Your such a child. Shit happens sometimes we breath in toxic fumes and die. I will die from lead exposure by the time im 50 so be it. It is my lot. and god will give me what I deserve. Ive asked for nothing i didn't work for. and sometimes life isn't fair. So be it. I accept the fact that accidents happen and good people die. As far as me giving my cahs to dead beats thats something i can do something about.

[delsolarie]

Oh, I didn't realize you were one of those religious freaks who don't know how to reason. Conversation over.

[CoolJeka]

wow...so many dumbasses. No public education? Who do you think is gonna defend ur property u little shit? You? Don't be a fool, if everyone is gonna be poor and hungry theyll drag u down as well.

[hamace]

Ive defended my country, and im correct in my opinion. I own two businesses and the only problem i have is the leach's in society. Your insults say more about you than they do me. You know nothing of me, but id be happy to meet you and teach you something about respect, and proper discourse smart guy. Im in San Jose Ca.

[seeprogress]

americanprogressaction dot org/events/healthforum/ -- check out the highlight reel from the recent Center for American Progress Action Fund Presidential Health Care Forum from Las Vegas

[timbosforporn]

I can't wait until we have Universal Health Care and see how the same people that vote it in start wondering why they can't get into a hospital or there are waiting list all of a sudden.

[hamace]

Every dead beat, drug addict, and hypocondriac will be at the nearest hospital the day UH is put into law. IF they can't pay for something then they shouldn't have it. Whats next free housing... oh yea we had that and it created the ebony society

[unidad78]

every american gets money stolen by the government, triple taxed. 40% of our income is taken by them, they should use that money to give us health care and education.  Then we wouldn't have as many drug addicts because we will all be EQUAL like the "constitution" says. When you grow up in the ghetto, you have no education or health care.

[hamace]

I don't know why some one becomes a drug addict, all i know is i take care of myself and will do so till i die and will never ask anything of anyone except maybe decent roads of which we all share. I grew up in the ghetto and got out on my on while all my peers were bithcing baout their plicght and complaining about everythoing and had their hands out.

[yangpu6]

I went to a hospital for my injury. Guess what. I got a 30 minuite seminar in loans and saving techniques. Sweet, no?

[BostonRocker51]

this whole clip it crap. WE NEED UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE. Let's join the civilized world and have health care for all. Fuck that retard Michel Tanner, he's a "free market" shill for the money men. This is insane. VOTE OUT the corrupt NOW. FREE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL, NOW!!

[hamace]

They are all corrupt. Eliminate health insurance companies and go back to paying out of pocket. hat will make hospitals more competitive and bring back clinics. Socialism weakens societies. We are entitled for nothing. Life should be hard, everyone should pull their own weight. Poor people are as greedy as any wealthy people, always looking for the easy way out of their own resposibilities.

[delsolarie]

Funny you should say that. We have universal healthcare here in Canada and the only thing I see weakening is your American dollar.

[hamace]

Well then I guess Canada is winning. Do you know why we are intentionally weakening our dollar? Do you think maybe, unlike in Canada its because we can. We will always be able to out produce Canada, if need be. You have a lot of nerve comparing Canada to USA. CAnada has a lower GDP than our 5 least productive states

[delsolarie]

You're comparing the GDP of a country with 32 million people compared to your 250 + million. Real smart. The difference in per capita GDP is less than $10 thousand. "Weakens society" Is that right? This coming from a nation with a lower life expectancy and a much higher infant mortality rate? Interesting.

As for 'pulling your own weight' - rich people don't do that. They gain wealth by getting others to create it for them.

[hamace]

Your not that smat for a know it all. I told you there is no comparison. Even the weakest among us are stronger than you. Norway and Japan both have higher GDP and currency than USA and Canada. My point not that you care... is we are weakening because we are becoming more like you than the way we were. Socialism is not about helping poor . Its about control. Canada is insignificant in world no one wonders what Canadians are going to do. And you sell your women on the corners with out shame.

[delsolarie]

So you're saying Norway who spends far more on the welfare state than both the US and Canada is stronger than both our nations and the US would weaken if they publicize their health care? Is that supposed to make sense? Norway has a far better universal health care system than Canada. It's the #1 place in the world to live according to the UN development index. I don't know if you know any Norweigans but according to those I know- their society is STRENGTHENED by their universal health care.

[hamace]

Norway is unique in that they share their oil revenue. Something our friends in the middle east culd do. Life in Norway sounds wonderful. Im happy for the norwegians. IN the US i have to bust my ass for what I have , they don't their revenue bubbles from the ground , mine doesn't I create work opportunities for myself. I refuse to provide for those unwilling to work as i do. Obviously you disagree and think i should loose my hard earned cash for dead beats

[delsolarie]

The fact is, every country with a higher ranking than the US on the human development index has higher social spending and all have universal health care. And as I've said before - in most cases the poor are the ones who CREATE the wealth, the rich are the ones who accumulate it. YES, even in the business that I manage.

[delsolarie]

As for your silly "Even the weakest among us are stronger than you." That definitely explains why we live longer... LOL.

[hamace]

Its not silly, its true. I love how open minded and intelligent you think you are, How much time do you spend in classrooms. WHat do you do for work? I own one business, and manage another I put in over 60 hours per week and am studing various sciences and politics at the same time. Canadians are needy pathetic people. Idividuals refuse to stand up for themselves so they erect a gov. infrastrcuture to see to all their petty probelms...pathetic.

[delsolarie]

Now you want to know about my personal life? Ok, I own one business, I manage another and I am currently working towards two degrees: political science (finishing December) and social work (finishing April). My degrees will have been completed at 3 top Canadian universities. Then I will go on to do my masters and start up a consulting business for social action groups to fight against people like you.

[hamace]

Its ok that we had slaves, and im proud that we fought a war and lost over a million men doing so. Tjis is the way of things. The slaves them selves had little to do with their own liberation. White people fought white people over what is right and wrong. I don;'t think most blacks would want to go bach to africa do you?

[themountainviewguy]

you idiots - just fix people's problems - just get the job done and quit worrying about how you can steal %30 of every dollar!

[BostonRocker51]

Anyone who thinks this issue can be reasonably discussed in 4:43 minutes is naive. This issue is too big to be solved in sound bites. I just paid $1,550 for a root canal & crown, and I have no dental or health insurance. It would cost me $350/mo for Ind coverage, and Mass. will fine me for not having it, yet rich people don't even pay Soc Sec tax for income over $90K in 2007! This is fu*ked.

[themountainviewguy]

so demand socialized medicine and do something. go see michael moore's movie sicko. i am sick of the insurance industry sucking 30% out of every dollar paid, and like you say that does not even cover dental, this is just a sham.

[hamace]

The solution is simple if you can't afford it too bad. Im not gonna pay for someone else's health care. Idon't ask for nothing from no one. I help people when i feel like it. Eliminate free education too. What the fuck do people think this is. This is no t Russia no one is entitled to anything but what god himself dems so!

[timbosforporn]

I wish we did have a private school system but the public school system is too much entrenched in our society.

[BostonRocker51]

Perhaps your God will give you comfort if you become crippled, since under your view, you would then deserve no comfort, no support, no medical care and would deserve to die, yes? You totally fail to grasp what having a community is, what having a conscience is, and what having a generous nature is. How sad.

[unidad78]

That is absolute truth. That is what is wrong with many of us americans. It's all about ME in this country and not thinking about your family, community and nationality as a whole.

[hamace]

The greediest people in the USA are the poor. They do nothing but exist and demand the same comforts as someone who pays out of his own pockets for things. Poor get cheap housing, subsiatance, etc. why let them perish. and society will be stronger. Atleast wealthy people creaate jobs. Are you one of the needy people you cry for.

[unidad78]

The greediest people in the USA are the poor? Hahaha. The greediest people are your corporate bitch theives that are making you fatter and stupider!! McDeees....MTV....poor people steel rims on cars.  Dumbass. It's about equal education and Healthcare...that would make the poor do something with their lives

[hamace]

More money is raised both publicly and privately to benfit the poor. The educaation system in USA is the most expensive . All the studies show US citizens are the most fat lazy dependant people on earth. Poor are as greedy as the wealthy . Neither wanna take responsibility for themselves. The rich are just better at being thieve. The poor want dsomething for nothing. If i pay for someones health care what will i get for my money? A bigger and bigger government, thats what.

[BostonRocker51]

I agree with you that some poor people are a drag on society, I find considerably more offensive rich people who don't pay their share of taxes, get subsidies for not growing food, etc, etc. As a rich society (you DO agree America is rich, yes?), IMO we have a social responsibility to help the needy. You disagee, I know, and that's your right, even if you're wrong...

[hamace]

Rich people pay most of the taxes, sure Manuy find ways around paying taxes , and they do it legally. The Law makes exemptions for big contributors to the economy as a whole. Mewan while poor people pay next to no taxes.YOu have a responsibility to help the needy no me. WHy are you telling me what to do with my money. I earned it, not you. You should give as much as you can, I don't care, jjust leave me alone.

[hamace]

True we have to live together, but why does that mean i have to help dead beats. You say the state should help me . I say leave it to god and fate. Natural selection.

[unidad78]

Read your constitution you un-american. All men are NOT created equal. Health care for every american would be a good example of backing up the constitution

[hamace]

I agree, if there were no insurance companies at all doctors and hospitals would have to compete for our cash instead of having agreements with insurance co's. Politicians and medical industry are fucking us all. Untill americans begin putting bullets through them.

[bearsagainstevil]

He quotes figures that if your diagnosed with a disease your more likely to survive than in England, but couldn't that just be far fewer people get diagnosed because they don't go to a doctor in time and just die .

Life expectancy and infant mortality are great indications of whether a healthcare system works

Why is it that Americans always boast they are the best at everything when clearly in many cases they are not, I think it has something to do warped self image .

[vsizemore]

There is a lot more to health care than mortality rates, issues that are basically ignored when talking reform, and that's morbidity rates, which, in my opinion, rates right below mortality rates.

[WESTCOASTLATIN]

what kinda question is that if everyone should have health care, of course thats the most human thing to do , the u.s has the most advanced health care system in the world but has the most expensive which means more than half the people cant afford health care so its not fair

[vsizemore]

What's fairness got to do with it. If health care is not deemed a constitutional right than it must either be earned or be provided as an entitlement, fairness doesn't play a role unless there is a fundamental change to the structure of the US system. Is the Cuban system fair? And be careful what you wish for, if everythin is fair, but by the lowest common denominator then the system is worse.

[bluenote71]

Everyone: I just wrote a letter to my congressman, urging him to improve our health system, and I haven't lived in the US for 4 years (though still a US citizen). If I can do something, so can you. If you walk out of Sicko hoping that you'll get better health care, but then do nothing, then you will have wasted the momentum created by this film. We must act now if we want change!

[blackacadian]

The only problem with the privitisation of healthcare is that clients/patients in general DO NOT make clear and informed decisions when sick, wich makes them easy targets for corporate interests.

[unknownunknowns]

So you're saying that the government can actually make better decisions? Wait a minute. If you're sick and you need to go to the doctor, don't you need some brains to do that? I'm saying they can clearly think. If corporate interests deceive them, they can hire John Edwards.

[vsizemore]

I must disagree. I have been sick, I've had 28 surgeries. I would never want the government making the decision as to which surgery I would and wouldn't have. It was a decision to be made by me after talking to my doctors. Also, under the US system, I was NEVER put on a waiting list for a surgery (except a transplant, which was only waiting for the organ, not the surgery).

[bearsagainstevil]

Ive never been on a waiting list neither has anybody in my family, never had to get any form of health insurance . I was paralysed for a short period after a car crash no worrys at all about insurance thats because Im british. if you want in the uk you can get extra health insurance but most people dont because the nhs covers most things

[vsizemore]

Most things? I know that I've seen the foremost specialists in the world on my disease, something that I could not have done had I not been in the US. The treatment I've received has improved my quality of life far greater than it would have been had I received treatment from just an average doctor, I did pay some of the expenses, but insurance paid most of it.

[jimisback]

Isn't she the girl from the cell phone commercial?

[lschuijer]

that's so easy! I do agree that there are people who do have money and spend in on irrelevant things, sure. But you also have to admit that there are people who work 3 jobs, and still cannot afford healthcare, because they simply don't have it.

[lschuijer]

there are so many people in the US who cannot afford basic healthcare. The US have the best healthcare if you're rich! A doctor from Holland

[unknownunknowns]

So, then for those "who cannot afford basic healthcare," WHERE do they spend their money on? I mean do they spend their money on something they DON'T NEED? Since the majority of the US is fat, it gives me the impression that they might have spent it on filling themselves up...TOO MUCH. Also, how, in the world, do we have so much credit card debt?

[Jelle1880]

Because banks and credit-card companies give credit to people who they know can't afford it ?

About the problem of being fat: That's the fault of the entire country. The U.S. is so based on doing everything qsuick and easy, that it reflects on the way they eat. Everything is stuffed with fat, sugar,... You don't have to be rich to eat a lot of fat, a microwave-meal is very cheap but not good for your cholesterol.

[unknownunknowns]

Yes, those credit card companies do want you to delay payment so they can charge interest out of you. However, they still want you to pay or else they wouldn't be earning profit at all.

[Jelle1880]

If you don't pay they just confiscate your stuff, either way they get their money.

[vsizemore]

obesity is not the fault of the entire country or else the entire country would be fat. No matter how accessible fast food is, or how much sugar is packed in microwave meals, it still comes to a personal choice. Yes, it is difficult to find convenient foods that aren't bad for you, but it's possible (ever looked in the produce aisle?)

[Jelle1880]

It's all about the average way of life in the US.

Everything has to be bigger, better and easier to make.

Ofcourse it's possible to eat healthy (Subway ftw, wish we had that in Belgium), but the fact is: crap food is so much easier to obtain, so it's kinda logic that people eat more of that.

[vsizemore]

fast food is readily available everywhere that's true, and average way of life is another thing, but I still say it's up to the individual. I was way overweight b/c of medication, it was miserable, I don't see how people can stand it.

[TheStoicAgnostic]

credit card debt for me stems from the fact I can't get any help for school and i can't get health insurance

i cant afford food, but if u question people being fat maybe because McDonalds has a 1$ menu

it's cheaper to get crap food

[vsizemore]

That's a cop out. If you can't get student loans, you get a job and go to school part-time. If you're that poor, sign up for medicare. If you can afford $1 menu at McDonald's, you can afford $1 can of tuna or even order the side salad at McDonald's. If obesity is not caused by a medical condition or as a side effect of medications, then there's no excuse for it.

[TheStoicAgnostic]

nah, because there stupid loopholes in everything connected with money...it's not possible trust me

seriously, if you're biggest problem with USA is obesity.

you have not been paying attention

americans want unity

but they do not want to contribute and they sit around calling out people's differences when likely they have more in common

[vsizemore]

There will never be consensus on every issue. Speaking out when you disagree with a proposal is better than simply having a laissez faire attitude. Thus, only disagreements receive the attention.

[TheStoicAgnostic]

okay

i agree you have good motive

try something significant and look outside your own enviroment when trying to validate assumptions

[vsizemore]

Huh? what assumptions am I making other than personal accountability should be the norm and that there will never be universal consensus and the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Those all seem like they're based on facts rather than assumptions that are in need of validation.