Healthcare Debate

I have listened to the current debate about Healthcare. Clearly, some type of action needs to be taken. 40 years ago this same debate was going on with dismal forecasts about the future of Healthcare in the 21st Century.

The future has arrived and in 40 years of debate, not much has been done. I honestly thought that the AMA would have done the long term research and come up with a viable alternative acceptable to the Health Delivery community. Clearly,the Liberals have been focused on Healthcare since Hillary suggested Universal Care back in the 90's.

With 40 years and the best boom times in the history of mankind, why haven't we solved this problem?

I guess the main reason is that so many people have gotten rich in the Health delivery business. Drug companies, equipment companies, insurance companies and Healthcare workers have all done pretty well over the last 40 years. This high profit incentive has helped to create one of the best Healthcare systems in the World. The problem is, it only works for those you can afford it. Many, far too many, can not afford quality Healthcare.

The second question: Is Heathcare a right? Should people expect high quality Healthcare? Maybe the answer is found in other similar questions. Do people have a right to high quality food, or housing, or education? In general, we have said YES, but only if you can afford it.

It's a tough world and the harsh reality is that you are only "entitled" to what you can afford. Dad used to say, "piss poor planning predicates poor performance." If you made poor career choices and have little or no education, maybe you can't afford high quality Healthcare, housing or food. Wow, that is a hard listen, but it maybe reality.

So, yes I want everyone to have quality Healthcare, but I have planned and worked hard to care for myself and my family. I just can not afford to pay for other people who have not planned and do not have the resources to afford Quality. No matter how you look at it, we are faced with a two tier system. One that continues to offer excellent high quality care for those who can afford it and one that offers minimal care for those dependent on government. Helathcare it seems, is like public housing and food stamps.