Floyd Said:

Is it worth it, to join the Air National Guard, for health insurance?

We Answered:

If you believe that being in the military would be better off for their future, then I would say yes.
Good luck

Violet Said:

How much of a free market do we currently have in health care?

We Answered:

Very little.

Right now the medical service industry is heavily regulated by government regulations, particularly on health insurance provisions. Another problem we have is that instead of shopping for health insurance the way we do for car insurance and home insurance, consumers just take whatever their employer provides or offers.

This cumulates in layers of problems for the medical industry. For one thing, patients don't care how much the insurance company pays for an MRI because they consider it "free" or "nearly free". There is a great deal of "Oh well, let the blood-sucking insurance company pay for it". But trust me, when the patient gets stuck with the bill, they find the prices to be ridiculous. For another, if we only paid for the coverage we needed, we'd be ALOT better off. Why am I, a 120 lb woman, paying for gastric bypass coverage that I know I'll never use? Because my husband's employer is mandated by the government to provide that coverage. We're also paying for pregnancy coverage we won't use and a myriad of other coverages totally unecessary to us. And the thing is, I have major medical issues. I'd gladly trade this useless coverage for more comprehensive coverage on services I'd actually use -- but I can't do that and still buy groceries because premiums for independant coverage, especially for someone with a major pre-existing condition, is through the roof with minimal coverage. Hey, insurance companies have to cut costs somehow and God knows the government isn't going to let them do it sensibly.

Irene Said:

Why do you believe the national health care reform should be passed?

We Answered:

Yes it should be passed. I come from a country which has national health care (the UK) and, to be completely honest, your main concerns are completely unfounded:

1. Yes you can get abortions on our system, but it isn't made any higher a priority than other treatments. Why on earth would abortions be of a higher priority than cancer treatment? That's highly irrational.

2. People who are over 60 do not get reduced treatment. My grandparents are in their 80s and get whatever treatment they need without question, whether it be treatment for a bladder infection or treatment for cancer. I think you need to appreciate that such a concept is an outright lie being told by your media. Or do you believe some journalists who have never been to this country over someone who has used it all her life?

3. Here in the UK we also have freedom and democracy. Again, the American media have been getting this completely wrong - the NHS is funded by the government but it is run by doctors. Politicians make no decisions about the treatment given.

4. It's debt, not dept. Our NHS is the biggest employer in Europe. How can generating more jobs be anything other than a good thing in the recession?

5. The 80% wouldn't suffer. National health care is for all and they would also be able to use it. They may have to pay more taxes but they would save a lot more in not paying out for health insurance.

6. Yes people who do work hard should be rewarded for this but sometimes even these people fall on hard times. I've worked my rear end off and paid my taxes for my entire life but was unemployed for 3 months earlier this year when I lost my job. I have severe asthma and my financial position was such that if I had to pay for my asthma medication I wouldn't have been able to afford it and would've instead become very ill or even have died. Instead, the NHS provided it for me (as they always do, regardless of my employment situation). The point I'm making is that whilst national health care may mean you have to look after others, you never know when others will have to look after you.

7. You get first class treatment for less - how can that be bad?

8. With a national health care system people wouldn't die/suffer ill health just because they're poor - why would you want to go back on that?

I'm sorry if I'm sounding highly critical, but coming from somewhere that has such a system I'm finding that many Americans really do not understand the concept of universal health and are basing their opinions on inaccuracies. You need to realise that a large part of what you're being told by your media is complete lies and, no offense, I think I know better than your media! If you're really that worried how about you come over to my country and see the system for yourself? I just don't understand how people can make assumptions about things they've never seen in practice.

Alvin Said:

If we get a national health care system, do you think people will still want to be doctors?

We Answered:

what you'll get is a lower overall class of doctors, all willing to work for the same amount of money, with no incentive to become the best. Those who would have been the best and brightest will opt for a different career where their salaries will not be capped

Raymond Said:

Is National University (San Diego) a good, respectable nursing school?

We Answered:

National University is one of the lowest ranked universities in the entire USA.

That could fit your 2.4 GPA, but you're still likely to fail Nursing.