American's Rights to Free Health Care? - Tarav

First and foremost, let me say that I am mostly ignorant to the subject of health care in this country. It is embarrassing for me to say, but something I must admit as I believe many of us are and need more forms of education on the matter. I went from being covered by my mother's insurance to immediately being covered by my husband's (I am under Tricare provided by the United State's Marine Corps.) This is a subject I most certainly wish I knew more about and I will continue to read and learn.

The easiest way for me to break this discussion down would be by using pros and cons.

Pros:

1. Lives saved - Obviously, with free health care more lives would be saved and those who cannot afford care would still be able to get the care they need and most likely deserve.
2. Cost reduction of products - Companies would not have to pay for their employees to receive health care. As a result, these savings would be passed on to consumers in the form of lower product prices. Which in turn could help consumer spending and help bring the economy back to its feet.
3. Prevention - If a person had health care, they would probably be more likely to go in for routine checkups and catch a problem before it is a much bigger, more expensive problem.

Cons:

1. Quality - I fear that by providing everyone with health care, the quality of care may suffer. If more people are able to get care, it only makes sense that the services would be lessened as to provide for a much larger number.
2. Access - If everyone had access to health care, when would they receive the benefits? How long would the list be to get enrolled? How long would it take for care to be authorized or paid for?
3. Increased debt - We are already too far in depth as it is. Providing insurance to all Americans would more than likely put us even further into debt. Possibly to a point of the complete destruction of our nation's economy.
4. Free? - "Free health care" would not really be free. It would come out of raised taxes or spending cuts (education, defense, etc.)

I have been reading several blogs, websites, etc. and it seems to me that free health care would cause more problems then we already have. In my opinion, the cons heavily outnumber the pros. Besides, people without insurance may still possibly be covered through non-profit and government run hospitals. Most people who have something handed to them take advantage of it. The same would go for health insurance. If everyone had it, I fear that Americans would worry less about taking care of themselves and making alternative choices in their lifestyle and would rely instead on medicine.

*I recognize that "taking care of themselves" does not always cause the prevention of a sickness or disease. I know that illnesses such as cancer, lupus, etc. are not necessarily caused by the care given to your body.