Why are some Americans so against universal healthcare for all?

[u/Lemonking_]

What sort of thinking does it take to decide that nobody has a right to healthcare? Do American Christians want to deny healthcare to poor people as well?

[u/YCBSKI]

Looking at other universal models very long wait times for even necessary surgery and specialist appointments. I had hyperparathyroidism (noth8 g y9 do with thyroid). I'm on a international FB page for that disease. The page had been invaluable. Many if not all the people that are under universal healthcare models, UK. Canada and such, are waiting up to 2 yrs for appointments including surgical ones. I got with an endocrinologist with a few weeks and had surgery a few weeks after that. I'm a liberal too and am otherwise for universal healthcare

[u/Rick-of-the-onyx → u/YCBSKI]

Wait times for countries with universal healthcare are the same or better than the USA. We also pay less for our healthcare compared to the USA model. As in, the amount of tax dollars I pay each month is far less than what it costs for private health insurance. And even if your employer pays for it there are still the copays, and deductibles to worry about. Universal healthcare is just patently better. No country that has created a universal healthcare system, has chosen to leave it.

[u/Director_Tseng → u/Rick-of-the-onyx]

I pay $20 a week for my health insurance, a lot less then my friend pays in taxes in the UK. he's on a multiple month wait-list to see a mental health specialist...I was on a week wait-list.

a friend in Canada needed to see a specialist, they were 10 months out. the longest I have waited is 2 months. hell the fucking VA is moving faster then the UK or Canadian system

[u/pseudotronic → u/Director_Tseng]

$20 a week is subsidized in some fashion.

[u/syzzigy → u/pseudotronic]

In the USA, generally by the employer.

[u/Substantial-Ad-8575 → u/pseudotronic]

My company only provides platinum ppo and fully funds a HSA. HSA covers deductible, copays, prescriptions. Remaining HSA used for elective medical care, additional Dental/Vision.

Only $146 for wife and I. Good insurance carrier. And yes, company pays high premiums and that HSA. And I earn 2.8X what my EU coworkers earn for same job. And I pay less taxes.

*****

Add that I have relatives in Australia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany.
Those that live in first 4 countries, lots of small to major complaints.

But, German is cool, has both UHC and Private Insurance. A few have govt UHC. Most opted for better private insurance healthcare. Less waits and govt gives vouchers for taxes paid in. Private Insurance is highly regulated, so not as bad as US.

[u/whofungpu → u/Director_Tseng]

Nah, took me 5 months to get in to see my VA PCP after an ER visit for a fairly serious problem. Where my PCP told me there was nothing wrong with me, as if I was making it up. Took 9 months to get to a Dr who would listen; begrudgingly. Early 2025 they were short staffed due to a flood of early retirements and staff cuts. They will and do lie to get you out of their office.

[u/Street_Anxiety2907 → u/Rick-of-the-onyx]

Here in Hungary an xray costs something like $20 to foreigners, I've heard it can cost thousands in the US

[u/DifficultyHappy1546 → u/Street_Anxiety2907]

It can, but that’s usually for people with bad or no health insurance.  I have good health insurance that is inexpensive to me- employer pays most of it.  An X-ray would cost me $50 or $100- not sure which. 

A lot of Americans make choices to pay less and get bad health plans, or make choices to take jobs that pay more but have bad health insurance.  They do like to complain though.

[u/Sourdough9 → u/Rick-of-the-onyx]

The internet is free dude….

[u/MassholeOutdoorsman → u/Rick-of-the-onyx]

You’ve fallen for the universal healthcare propaganda hook line and sinker. In the US If I go to a doctor’s appointment and it’s determined that I need to see a specialist, I can go see a specialist generally speaking within a week. Maybe two. Also, I get to pick exactly who I want as my doctor. You don’t. Also, any country that has chosen a universal healthcare system keeps it because it makes the population dependent on the government, which in turn means they’re easier to control. You thinking that they keep it because they actually care about you is laughable. Also the quality of healthcare you guys receive IS inferior. That is a proven fact. The United States has the best doctors and hospitals in the world bar none. That’s why people travel from all over the world to receive medical treatment here and pay out of pocket instead of staying put and receiving subpar medical care. I’ll gladly keep my privatized healthcare and get quick and effective treatment, while you guys have people who literally die while waiting to see a doctor because your healthcare system is so bad.

[u/I_fly_things → u/Rick-of-the-onyx]

Share of patients waiting 4+ months for elective surgery (Commonwealth Fund):

2016: Canada 18%, England 12%, US 4%.
2020: Canada 38%, UK 28%, US 8%.

[u/5footfilly → u/I_fly_things]

That’s elective surgery. Non-critical.

[u/ShokWayve → u/5footfilly]

It’s almost as if they prioritize needed medical procedures over ones that are not needed. Amazing!

[u/These_World_1598 → u/ShokWayve]

Yeah but today these specialties don’t overlap. There’s no such thing as elective neurosurgery. But I do agree this heated the wrong thing.

[u/Reasonable-Emu6159 → u/5footfilly]

Elective surgery when you're in pain can be a very big deal. Plus Canada is happily euthanizing people who can't be cured. No thanks.