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Health Care > Universal Healthcare > Mandatory Health Insurance
Make health insurance mandatory for all U.S. residents
Do you agree or disagree? 
     
 
   

17,666 votes for this question.

     
   

Background

Universal healthcare results from a government mandated program to provide all citizens, and sometimes permanent residents, of a governmental region access to most types of health care regardless of ability to pay. Patients may pay for some portion of their care directly, but most care is subsidized by taxpayers and/or by compulsory insurance.The National Health Service (NHS), established in the United Kingdom in 1948, was the world's first universal health care system provided by government. Universal health care is provided in most developed countries and in many developing countries.

The United States is the only industrialized nation that does not provide universal health care.

The government covers a little over one-quarter of the population through healthcare programs for the elderly (Medicare), disabled (Social Security), military service families and veterans (Tricare and VHA), children (SCHIP), and the poor (Medicare). Federal law ensures public access to emergency services regardless of ability to pay. However, this unfunded mandate has contributed to a health care safety net that some analyses say is increasingly strained. Certain types of medical spending and particularly health insurance benefit from significant tax subsidies; in particular, employer-sponsored health insurance is a non-taxable benefit.

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comments 2 comments on this question

  • On Sun 02/10 08:15, ladybug wrote...

    I dont know about all other countries,but I do know that canada's helthcare system is a mess.I personally know folks that have come to the US to get healthcare because they couldnt wait on a really long list.one had cancer.he couldnt wait for all of the red tape.I know of drug users that sit on their buts,because they are being supported by our tax dollars.How much money should we have to spend on people that dont #1 want to eat right and take care of themselves,so we dont have to.
    #2 dont want to work,because universal healthcare will have to take care of them also.#3 the gov.cant properly run the programs they already heav.They dont need another to screw up.

  • On Sun 02/10 08:15, ladybug wrote...

    I dont know about all other countries,but I do know that canada's helthcare system is a mess.I personally know folks that have come to the US to get healthcare because they couldnt wait on a really long list.one had cancer.he couldnt wait for all of the red tape.I know of drug users that sit on their buts,because they are being supported by our tax dollars.How much money should we have to spend on people that dont #1 want to eat right and take care of themselves,so we dont have to.
    #2 dont want to work,because universal healthcare will have to take care of them also.#3 the gov.cant properly run the programs they already heav.They dont need another to screw up.

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