Is America Ready for Socialized Health Care?

Debates continue to dominate over the issue of socialized health care in the United States. Opinions are varied and diverse and there is no single view that is held as the minority or popular notion. While there is a general appreciation of how the cost to the country by having millions of unsure citizens continues to be acknowledged, there are those who voice an objection to a universally applied coverage for all Americans. Even though some other countries have had socialized healthcare for years, it still inspires such differing reactions in this country. That is because there is a difference between providing coverage for those who have none and creating a program, which everyone must accept.

Those who are covered by a given HMO or can afford private care of some kind may object to the loss of the choices they have under their coverage. Some have plans that allow you to pick your own doctor and different kinds of specialist. This may involve a level of care that is both personalized and also have a quality they fear will be lost under some national health care program. They may point out how in those countries where they do have socialized health care there maybe care for everyone, but it may not have the freedom of choice with an HMO. You may not have the option for when you get treatments for lesser priority types of surgery where you have to be put on a waiting list.

However, the proponents of socialized health care do emphasize the problems of cost in terms of unnecessary sickness or even loss of life to those who avoid going to the doctor. By the time they do when a condition turns life threatening the overall cost will always be so much higher. Plus often they must go to hospitals that the government has to subsidize. And since such treatments can run into the thousands of dollars per patient the person often is unable to pay the cost. So ultimately in ends with the taxpayer having to pay the bill.

There are voices on both sides of the issue, from the private insurance companies and those in the health care industry to those that are passionate about general welfare of all citizens. In addition there is the question of the impact to the governmental budget for making socialized healthcare a reality. With so many factors influencing the decision process it is not likely that any workable solution will occur anytime soon.