An Apple a Day
So I was just listening to an article on NPR, about low-income health care facilities in this country.
And I think to myself, why do we not have a standardized health care system like every other technologically advanced country? THe only arguement I ever hear against forming such a system is that the quality of health care would decrease. But then I think, when most people can't afford decent health care anyways, isn't any health care better than none? Are we asking for another black plague here?
Add that to the american tradition of fixing problems after they occur rather than trying preventative measures could be(and I think in many cases are) disastrous.
Canada has standardized health care, so does Germany. They don't seem to have the same problems we do here. Obesity is not such a problem. Who knows what the STD rates are, but I am sure they are lower.
I would like to provide the following example:
Just to take care of one's sexual health, (for a female at least), one must spend (at least) $200 on average a year. This is about the cost for an annual exam, which the AMA strongly reccomends every woman gets. How many low income, single mothers can afford this? Sure, they can go to Planned Parenthood, with a slidding pay scale, but with Bush's lack of funding, how long will these services be available?
Further, for those women that wish to plan for a family and are sexual active, the cost of birth control (for one month) is right around $40. So expect another $480 on top of the exam. Then add the cost of condoms for STD prevention, $5 for 12. We are now pushing $1000/year.
Sure, the alternative is abstinance, but this is not always an option that everyone wants or is able to have. I agree that those who wish to participate in such actions should be responsible. But those that choose to be sexual active, responsibly, should have access to preventative measures more readily.
ANYWAYS (i will leave the abortion/contraception debate for another day)
MY POINT HERE IS: health care needs to be made more affordable. Costs are outragous for many doctors. I think the best option is to have a base free health care. Those that can (and wish to) afford it can hire private specialists for their personal health care. That way, the capitalistic way of life (that is the best way, of course), can still exist and health care (which SHOULD be a basic human right) is provided for all.
:)
That's it
back to work...
And I think to myself, why do we not have a standardized health care system like every other technologically advanced country? THe only arguement I ever hear against forming such a system is that the quality of health care would decrease. But then I think, when most people can't afford decent health care anyways, isn't any health care better than none? Are we asking for another black plague here?
Add that to the american tradition of fixing problems after they occur rather than trying preventative measures could be(and I think in many cases are) disastrous.
Canada has standardized health care, so does Germany. They don't seem to have the same problems we do here. Obesity is not such a problem. Who knows what the STD rates are, but I am sure they are lower.
I would like to provide the following example:
Just to take care of one's sexual health, (for a female at least), one must spend (at least) $200 on average a year. This is about the cost for an annual exam, which the AMA strongly reccomends every woman gets. How many low income, single mothers can afford this? Sure, they can go to Planned Parenthood, with a slidding pay scale, but with Bush's lack of funding, how long will these services be available?
Further, for those women that wish to plan for a family and are sexual active, the cost of birth control (for one month) is right around $40. So expect another $480 on top of the exam. Then add the cost of condoms for STD prevention, $5 for 12. We are now pushing $1000/year.
Sure, the alternative is abstinance, but this is not always an option that everyone wants or is able to have. I agree that those who wish to participate in such actions should be responsible. But those that choose to be sexual active, responsibly, should have access to preventative measures more readily.
ANYWAYS (i will leave the abortion/contraception debate for another day)
MY POINT HERE IS: health care needs to be made more affordable. Costs are outragous for many doctors. I think the best option is to have a base free health care. Those that can (and wish to) afford it can hire private specialists for their personal health care. That way, the capitalistic way of life (that is the best way, of course), can still exist and health care (which SHOULD be a basic human right) is provided for all.
:)
That's it
back to work...
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