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Source link: http://blog.mises.org/6028/socialized-medicine-in-a-wealthy-country/

Socialized Medicine in a Wealthy Country

December 15, 2006 by

With the Democrats taking charge in Congress, we will surely hear talk of mandatory national health insurance, more spending for health care for the poor and elderly, and more taxes on individuals and business to pay for the whole scheme. This is admittedly not that different from what Republicans have been doing since taking over. In some ways, Republicans are even worse, driving us to socialism in the name of market reform and other sloganeering. Either way, we are stuck with a system that is moving the health sector ever more into the hands of the state. There are two popular images of socialized medicine. I don’t think either captures what the reality is in our prosperous and largely capitalistic country. FULL ARTICLE

{ 3 comments }

Saturdaynightspecial December 16, 2006 at 5:23 am

In Illinois middle class children now have government subsidized health insurance. The governor brags about this costly program. He also warns us that universal is coming. (thanks for the warning.)

Did you know government workers check this blog regularly for tips on improving socialism. I think too that some libertarians are colluding with these socialists.

Sam December 16, 2006 at 6:32 am

Would LHR from his article be saying the solution would be one of quite simply: user-pays hospitals? Get sick, go to hospital, get treated, here’s the bill? Indeed as many Libertarians seem to suggest that if you want to stamp out (or at least realistically minimize) undesirable behaviour, you maximize the consequences of the risks for anyone who undertake such behaviour, right?

Since the minimum of resources per sick person is desirable because it leaves more resources for the rest of the sick people . . . And a serious illness or condition faces a person between a large medical bill or choose death . . . Then it stands to reason that it becomes too expensive to become sick or injured. I do believe LHR implied when faced with suck a risk, the poor have a VERY BIG incentive to take of themselves through proper exercise, eating healthful foods, using sun protection and avoiding quarrels and fighting.

Hence would user-pays hospitals suddenly be a big incentive for everyone to try their best to be healthy and peaceful, perhaps?

Axel Riemer December 16, 2006 at 3:04 pm

pure gold, sam

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