not only is universal health care a basic right in a civilized country....

[Fresno Bob]

I'd argue that it is a matter of national security, as 99% of our enemies have no chance to hurt us significantly with anything EXCEPT a bioweapon, and universal health care is our front line defense against bioweapons

[nullnor]

the idea of universal healthcare is the same as the idea behind global warming. we know that we can't afford to keep doing either one. but we have to trust that a solution will be discovered. in global warming it's called faith in science (or for republicans faith in the economy growing big enough from polluting to afford to discover a solution). and i reckon in heathcare it's called faith in ppl. that growing the US population big enough that we can discover a solution to healthcare with human capital.

that might not make sense but the alternative to both is killing the economy and killing older ppl.

[primetime]

I'd argue that it is a matter of national security, as 99% of our enemies have no chance to hurt us significantly with anything EXCEPT a bioweapon, and universal health care is our front line defense against bioweapons

It's early in the morning and I didn't get much sleep, but I am not sure if this is a serious post or not.

[johnnya24]

Profit > Health

[Gregg]

the idea of universal healthcare is the same as the idea behind global warming. we know that we can't afford to keep doing either one. but we have to trust that a solution will be discovered. in global warming it's called faith in science (or for republicans faith in the economy growing big enough from polluting to afford to discover a solution). and i reckon in heathcare it's called faith in ppl. that growing the US population big enough that we can discover a solution to healthcare with human capital.

that might not make sense but the alternative to both is killing the economy and killing older ppl.

I am a little worried about them killing older peo

[Kevin Seitzer]

I am a little worried about them killing older peo

I see what you did there...

[Controller Jacobs]

...
that might not make sense but the alternative to both is killing the economy and killing older ppl.

I bet killing older people would actually help the economy quite a bit. We should start immediately. Where steve?

[B-Fly]

I bet killing older people would actually help the economy quite a bit. We should start immediately. Where steve?

Steve Steve, Hornsby Steve, or both?

[Fresno Bob]

It's early in the morning and I didn't get much sleep, but I am not sure if this is a serious post or not.

100% serious, right now, only Russia and China can "significantly" hurt us with their nukes, ie, wipeout more than 3 or 4 cities with suitcase nukes. Bad, but we'd shake it off no matter which 4 cities got it. A bioweapon on the other hand could reduce our population by 50% or more.

[Cobain's Ghost]

100% serious, right now, only Russia and China can "significantly" hurt us with their nukes, ie, wipeout more than 3 or 4 cities with suitcase nukes. Bad, but we'd shake it off no matter which 4 cities got it. A bioweapon on the other hand could reduce our population by 50% or more.

and healthcare would stop that. okaaaay...

[Fresno Bob]

and healthcare would stop that. okaaaay...

The fact that we have so many people uninsured, and using our emergency rooms for basic health care is a huge vunerability for us. The US needs everyone getting regular checkups, vaccinations, and keeping more health care trained professionals dispursed into the community in smaller clinics vs large hospitals that can get overwhelmed by a single infection.

[Controller Jacobs]

While this is an extreme example, preventive health care could potentially benefit the nation significantly.

First, it is common for people with no health insurance to simply go to the hospital ER whenever they feel sick. The hospital is unlikely to have any decent record on the patient, and are required to perform a lot of extra tests to avoid liability.

Second, there are a large number of low-income people that you want to seek preventative care. People who work part-time or who's wages are based on tips are likely to not have health insurance. That's a lot of food industry employees, from field workers to restaurant staff to your local grocery.

Among other issues... first, using preventative care would be a cultural shift for a lot of people. i.e. simply making the care available may not be enough. Second, the positive economic impact is not immediate or easily measurable. That's great for the Freakonomics guys, not good for politicians.

[Cobain's Ghost]

While this is an extreme example, preventive health care could potentially benefit the nation significantly.

First, it is common for people with no health insurance to simply go to the hospital ER whenever they feel sick. The hospital is unlikely to have any decent record on the patient, and are required to perform a lot of extra tests to avoid liability.

Second, there are a large number of low-income people that you want to seek preventative care. People who work part-time or who's wages are based on tips are likely to not have health insurance. That's a lot of food industry employees, from field workers to restaurant staff to your local grocery.

Among other issues... first, using preventative care would be a cultural shift for a lot of people. i.e. simply making the care available may not be enough. Second, the positive economic impact is not immediate or easily measurable. That's great for the Freakonomics guys, not good for politicians.

unfortunately, having health insurance will not stop people from shoving big macs and fries down their gullets, or letting their kids play call of duty 7 hours a day.

[billbuckner]

I bet killing older people would actually help the economy quite a bit. We should start immediately. Where steve?

This man has my vote