What is your opinion of the United States health care system?

Is it "broken"? Is it perfectly fine? What can we do to help those who are uninsured?...

10-T3	IT COULD BE VERY MUCH BETTER. 2009 ; WITH SENATOR CLINTON IN THE WHITE HOUSE, THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER.
Ken	The root problem with all health care in this country seems to be that it's so damnably expensive. The health care itself may be good, but why is it so expensive? Is it because providers are forced to provide health care to people who pay nothing and they have to amortize that cost to those who do pay? I do not know the answer.
♥Lizzie♥	I agree with the others. It stinks! Espically the insruancce 5K deductable.
tictak kat	It's in need of a total makeover! It's all about big bucks. To be honest with you, I don't know if there is anything that can be done to change it in my life time.
tweenkle2002	Quite frankly its garbage. There's gotta be something better than this.
Jaydt	WHAT United States Health Care System?
mikemmlj	It is ok. I like the idea of state governments requiring people to buy health insurance. Like we require people to buy auto insurance. For the poor we need basic universal health including check ups and emergency care.
Uncle MythMan	The U.S. HealthCare system is infected by the evil of money. Don't get me wrong; the science of health is the best in the world---no matter where you are! (French women heal me just as well as Brazilian women.) But the money 'marks' those who can be healed quickly as "better" than those without the marks. THAT is the "Mark of the Beast," the fact that you 'should' be worth the same as everyone else, but do not have the certificates to prove it ... The Beast being our government---which is a single-mouthed devourer being fed by the people's 'falsely-won fealty' ('they' tell us that we actually have a choice as to who is worthy to lead us, but THAT IS A LIE!). Payment for healthcare ought to be 'service when healed' and not 'money when dying.'
em3maceys	It is beyond broken all that it is about in this country is MONEY. It's not about the people no matter what anyone says. One guy says your never denied treatment but you will have to pay and that is just the point most people cannot afford the bills and go into debt way over their heads and sometimes have to declare bankruptcy. We should have a health care system like Canada and England we can work through the flaws in theirs and make it better. But it will never happen because the only people that can change that are the goverment leaders who are rich anyway so they don't really see the major problems that all the middle and low class people do.
Sweets	Considering that I paid $187 for a physical and TB test for my new job, it sucks. In PA the malpractice insurance is so high that a lot of the docs in private practice are moving to other states. I mean a physical shouldn't cost that much, especially when I needed to get it for a job and it is considered a necessity when you get hired by certain companies. Also, being uninsured didn't help matters, but dang, $187 dollars, probably $90 of that is for stepping my foot in the door and signing the patient check-in sheet.
666666z	It sucks, but socialism isn't the answer. I don't think it's necessary for hospitals to charge as much as they do. Take some of the greed out.
EMERGING COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS RESEARCH	As some polititician said about our form of governement, "It is the worst form of government in the world EXCEPT FOR ALL THE REST. THE SAME CAN BE SAID OF OUR MEDICAL CARE IN THE U.S. Our health care has many flaws & inequities, but I believe that recent scientific breakthroughs & the demand of the public, (regardless of political persuasion), that REAL REFORM must take place. GOOD HEALTH CARE IS A RIGHT. BUT WE MUST NOT THROW OUT THE BABY WITH THE BATHWATER. "NATIONAL HEALTH CARE" as is being proposed usually involves a system administered by the government. That is not the answer. We must develop a system that allows For Doctors to operate their practices just as they do now, Medical Scientists to create new medical solutions, Hospitals to be innovative in cutting costs while at the same time increasing ratio of staff to patient, Drug Companies to continue to develop new & more effective drugs. All other parts of our medical system must be allowed to operate under our capitalist system. Even in health care that is how new jobs in the U.S. are created. (EXAMPLE): SOME (I emphasize some) Medical Equipment Manufacturers are U.S. Based & employ U.S. Citizens in U.S. Manufacturing Plants. They create Hi-Tech Good Paying jobs, with the ability of their employees to continuously advance as they gain more experience & as technology advances. THE KEY IS AN ENTIRELY NEW TYPE OF ENTITY THAT ALLOWS FOR ALL OF THESE THINGS TO BE MADE POSSIBLE. THAT SOUNDS IMPOSSIBLE, BUT I HAVE MADE EXHAUSTIVE STUDIES OF ADVANCEMENTS, CHANGES, PROBLEMS, ETC. FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS. I HAVE A PROPOSAL FOR A SOLUTION. IF U.S. YAHOO READERS ARE INTERESTED, "TELL MIKE". I WILL PUT MY PROPOSAL FORWARD IN DETAIL if "ASK MIKE" ASKS FOR IT & TELLS THE READERS WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE HE HAS TO THIS ANSWER. I AM NOT INVOLVED IN THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY IN ANY WAY OTHER THAN AS A PATIENT. I OWN NO STOCK IN ANY MEDICAL COMPANY OF ANY KIND. I HAVE NOTHING TO GAIN FINANCIALLY, BUT THERE IS AN ANSWER & ONLY THE PUBLIC CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN. I was highly trained in very dull technical & scientific areas prior to an accident 17 years ago that left me in a situation that truly makes my computer my "WINDOWS" to the world. I have used that time to polish my research skills in areas that apply to technical & scientific breakthroughs that can be applied to the betterment of mankind. Healthcare applications has been my special interest.
Richard B	It sucks
Syd T	CANADA pays for all health care for citizens. CUBA pays for all health care for all citizens. IRAQ paid for all health care for all citizens...while SADDAM HUSSEIN was in power. USA is the most wealthy country, but USA doesn't give a crap. This system is disabled. We need to use the same examples as other countries. OR The U.S. could issue yearly credits to each citizen like a gift certificate for a certain amount ($10,000 - $100,000). It can be transferred to the next relative or friend if that first person doesn't use it within a year. All paid for by the Fed Govn't. This prevent Hospitals & Doctors from ripping off the Govnt. . . . .
auntb93	It's not a system, it is a confusing, inconsistent jumble of systems. However, I do not have any particularly clever ideas for improving it. I know people say there ought to be a "one payer system," meaning the federal government. But any time you have the feds do something, they maximize the inefficiency and the costs, biting good citizens in the butt with taxes. I would like to see a simple way that non-profits could provide insurance for people who don't have it, so that those of us who don't have insurance aren't paying double or triple what the insurance companies pay. It's a scam: the hospital bills a huge amount because that's the amount they actually get from a government agency covering someone who qualifies. The insurance companies make bargains on the basis of "quantity discounts." And the people who really get shafted are those (like myself) who do not have insurance but do not qualify for government coverage. There really needs to be a better way.
Babs	It's great for the health insurance & drug companies. Not so great for individuals & businesses. Insurance coverage is getting too expensive for too many people. I believe that, evenutally, this will cause the insurance companies to realize that they can't continue to raise premiums & expect people to continue to pay.
endlesslove	the govement should give a poor person more chance to help them have a better life,have more special regulations for person who are uninsured, when adequate food and clothing is ensured,no longer disease,no longer needy family
NiteShadow	Our (USA) health system is the pits. Mine and my husbands credit is ruined because of our medical bills, (mainly because of my medical bills). I need more surgery on my back and can't get it done, because of the medical bills that we owe. We don't qualify for any sort of charity help, so we are basically screwed. Granted I have health coverage through my job, but it is expensive and it takes up 70% of my paycheck. The only solution that I see, that will work, is the Canadian way. And THEY say we are one of the most advanced countries in the world?
strawberryrhubarbpie	it's great if you are well employed and have a great health insurance plan through your employer. or if you are rich and can afford to pay out of pocket. I believe we should try to go to a plan like Canada has. sure they might have to wait a while to see a specialist, but at least everyone can afford health care.
glyphdoc	I think it stinks. Here's how it played out for me: --I was a regular guy. Job. Insurance. Good health. --Got an injury. Internal damage needing reconstruction. Spent 3 months in the hospital. --Back at work the insurance payments started getting higher and higher becasue I was making so many claims (near 500k at that point) --Work changed insurance plans to offset higher payments. Results in less coverage and more out of pocket. --Switched to wife's insurance. Repeat. --Can't afford to keep up with hospital bills because insurance copay is now 2k per month. (which is a hell of a lot less than the hospital bills would be but I can't pay either way. plus, it's hard as heck to keep a job when you have to go to the hospital 2 days every month on "sick leave") --Lost all savings. Downsized house to keep paying. Insurance system is flawed at the core. It's impossible to want to help someone and at the same time want to profit. The best help for someone is to get the 'best care' possible and the best profit is to pay for 'no care'. It's a seesaw that will always be a problem.
Gravity _	messed up
Cloud Nine--Sez YAHH 2 tha hatas	HEALTHCARE FOR ALL! They should be prepared to help people that need it whether you have money or not!
Esma	It is definitely broken. My grandfather used to be an investigator of malpractice, and he always says that these "d*mn doctors can get away with whatever the hell they want, as long as they have friends...which they all do." We need universal health care. We need higher standards for doctors. We need to understand the difference between "cause no harm" and "easing pain." And, most personally to me (due to a doctor I saw for years), we need to be sure that doctors can separate religion from medicine.
conilinguo	It sucks if you don't have money probably they will let you die, and the cost of medicines and operations are extremely high, and the service a lot of times isn't very good ((a looot of times)) and isn't for everybody if you haven't a social security better come back to your country and will not die... in countries of the "3th world" is completaly FREE and for every body, and if have to pay there isn't a lot of money... maybe something good of the USA health care is that for pay the cost of a operation always (( I HOPE )) they give you credit for pay in down payments, but maybe down payment for the rest of your life....
Graffiti_Gal	its unfair.... im not insured i do bmx soo u can imagine what its like for me lol find the cheapest insurance...
♥A. K.♥	It's horrible. Too expensive. a couple of years ago, after working at a job for 12 years I was layed off and lost my insurance. the job market was non-existant in the military town I was in, so I could only find a full time job making $9 an hour. No company insurance. I have paid taxes or 20 years and when I got so sick I couldn't even stand up straight ( and STILL working) I could not get help from the state because I don't have children. I needed surgery very badly. Had I had children, the state would have GIVEN me and my kids insurance, money for food, and a program to reduce my rent per my income. I don't have children, so I don't matter??
eidasevol	It's broken. I work with people with disabilities who are on medicaid/medicare. They only have a few doctors to pic from, and cannot get certain tests/meds because they are not covered. I take one lady to her psychiatrist in the basement of an empty hospital, paint chipping off the walls. There are always tons of people in that waiting room. The DR is really nice though. I took one lady to the dentist in this clinic. We had to wait for 3 hours to see the dentist, really nice DR but the people, my god, people in pain waiting for hours and hours to be seen. It's not fair. Why do they have to wait that long? Then they tell us it will cost 11 grand to fix her teeth. What is she supposed to do? She gets $245 a month. So her teeth are going to fall out of her head and every time she gets an absess we have to wait hours for care. I can go to the dentist and wait 15 minutes to be seen. I can get preventative care. Why? Because I have insurance, because I am able to work. What if I become injured and can't work? I will become just like her..... waiting for hours and picking teeth out of my food. We are supposed to be one of the greatest nations in the world? Yeah, and we can't take care of our own people.
Cat♥Eyes =^..^=™	It is utterly broken. If you go to a country with socialized health care you will not find people going bankrupt and dying because they cannot afford medical care nor medications. I have lived in a country with it, no one is turned away.
2fine4u	I have very strong opinions on this subject. The healthcare system in the United States is beyond broken, it is shattered. My thinking may seem crazy to some, but I have a huge problem with the co-payments. First of all, if I have to pay a premium all year long, then my co-pay should be minimal or nothing at all. Every year, I get a notice that says that my healthcare insurance is going up. It has gotten to the point that it is a major bill for my family. The particular insurance that I have charges me extra to see my OB. I am currently pregnant. I have to pay specialist pay to see my OB. Then I have to pay to see my primary care physician. Then I have to pay a seperate co pay when I go in to deliver then pay for that OB also. All the while, I am paying for an ever rising premium. I feel that there should not be a specialist cost for an OB. There is too many loopholes and too many policies and premiums. They need to put all in one. Vision, Dental, Health, and prescriptions. Instead of paying four or five premiums there should be one. The reason that so many people are uninsured is because it is too expensive. Some people have to make a choice whether to pay their rent or to have health insurance. That is not a choice that should be made. Free Health Care would be too much of an economic burden. If we could start with the healthcare providers, the price that they charge is crazy. They charged us $40.00 for two generic Tylenol when our son had a fever. That is ridiculous especially when you can get a bottle of 100 for less than $5.00. The government needs to step in and say how much that they can actually charge for certain services. This would bring insurance costs down and more people could afford it.
Semper Fi 83	For the Richest country in the world, we sure have a the poorest health care.
Mr. Knowitall	It depends on how you mean. If you can afford to pay for your own care, the US system is the best in the world. Rich people come here from all over the world for health care. If you are a corporation providing health care or pharmaceuticals this is the best system because it's the most profitable. In the US we consider profit the highest of all values. However if you're a middle-class healthcare consumer, you wouldn't like this system. Those of us who have health insurance pay 70% more for it today than when GW Bush came to office, and it was considered a crisis -then-. A growing number of Americans can't get access to health care at all. I am self-employed in my own little one-man business, but I can't buy insurance for myself, it would cost between $1500 and $2000 a month--and that's if I never get sick. I use my wife's insurance, and if she lost her job I'd have to go get a job myself. The solution most Americans want is a 'Canadian style single-payer' plan. This means that hospitals and clinics and doctors remain private and the govt. handles the insurance, and everyone is insured, included in the same big pool. If we just expanded Medicare to include everyone we'd save tens of billions of dollars a year in the US. Medicare has a 1% overhead while private insurance has 20-30%. But all the major candidates get money from the healthcare and pharma industries, so the plans they come up with are mostly bullshit. Most include the govt. buying insurance for -some- uninsured at the going market prices, which include big profits for the existing insurance companies. The only candidate so far who's proposed a Canadian-style plan is Dennis Kucinich.