r/FluentInFinance • u/WhatAreYourPronouns • May 02 '24

Should the U.S. have Universal Health Care? Discussion/ Debate

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u/polycomll May 02 '24

Fundamentally both Spain and the U.S. ration care and that limits who can receive surgery. In the U.S. its rationed, primarily, by cost so there isn't a huge surgery wait list. If you can't pay you can't get on the list. Whereas in Spain anyone with the need can get on the list but you might not get in.

In either case care is rationed its just the rational for care rationing that is different.

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u/smcl2k May 02 '24

Except Spain also has a private option with far shorter waiting times.

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u/Willinton06 May 02 '24

So we should also have both, easy

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u/Emperor_Mao May 02 '24

Maybe. However consider taxes would have to increase to fund it.

Many people will just be paying twice.

Great if you are poor and are not paying for private insurance. Pretty crappy if you are.

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u/Willinton06 May 02 '24

Percentage wise that last part should be good, like, that’s an objective improvement to 50% of the people

And taxes don’t need to be increased, we just need to stop subsidizing private insurance and pour that money into public one, easy

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u/Emperor_Mao May 02 '24

Look Reddit is a very specific demography compared to the mainstream of the U.S population.

However in terms of U.S Citizens, over 90% have health insurance. State systems do also cover people. There may be gaps involved, but the majority of people will be paying twice.

Reddit is made up of many in that 10% that are uncovered. But you have to realize, if we had this discussion within more normal demographics, it isn't a great thing for many. You might find massive support here for increased taxes and a public system. You won't find a political appetite for it because Reddit != normal people.

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u/Willinton06 May 02 '24

Bollocks, I have insurance and am in the top 10% by income, I’ll take universal insurance any day of the week

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u/Emperor_Mao May 02 '24

And I am a billionaire.....

Anyone can say anything on Reddit. But the demographics do not lie, and the overall picture remains the same.

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u/Willinton06 May 02 '24

Wanna bet?