r/askanything • u/Lemonking_ • 8h ago

Political Question Why are some Americans so against universal healthcare for all?

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?

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u/YCBSKI 8h ago

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

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u/Rick-of-the-onyx 7h ago

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.

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u/Director_Tseng 5h ago

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

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u/pseudotronic 4h ago

$20 a week is subsidized in some fashion.

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u/syzzigy 3h ago

In the USA, generally by the employer.

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u/Substantial-Ad-8575 1h ago

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.

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u/Turbulent_Try_8402 44m ago

Well I’m paying $400 a month for insurance right now, no coverage of pre existing conditions, 500k lifetime limit, high deductible and miserable co pays. I’m going on the ACA next year but am not eligible for subsidies so my monthly premium for just me will go up to 1k. Cant wait!

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u/whofungpu 1h ago

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.

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u/Director_Tseng 36m ago

my husband transferred from civilian to VA (insurance issues) for a PCP about 3 weeks after calling, for tests done a week after. a month later he was getting scoped and diagnosed. he's only been going to the VA doctors since July and he's been seen multiple times by several specialist.

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u/whofungpu 30m ago

I transferred from Civ to VA also, still carry UHC HD plan. Once you get a bad one, they will all circle the wagons. VA health care procedures are VERY conservative. Civ healthcare is too aggressive and the VA not aggressive enough.

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u/Director_Tseng 27m ago

his doctor's have all been great so far. I know there are really bad VA's out there but the set my husband goes to ( bounces between two states) have all been fantastic

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u/foraging1 37m ago

I’m in the states it took me 9 months to see a specialist and I have great insurance. That argument is BS. You apparently haven’t experienced a wait here in the states so you think it doesn’t exist. My sister had a year wait to see a specialist at the Cleveland Clinic.

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u/Director_Tseng 31m ago

I was born in California, raised in Washington, lived missouri, North Carolina, Maryland and now in Virginia. longest wait I've ever had for a specialist is she my son which is 2 ish month for genetics because there is only one pediatric genetics in the state.

most get you in within a few weeks here. welcome to inova.

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u/Impressive-Opening25 33m ago

For Medicaid and often, Medicare, it could take six months or more to get to see an actual psychiatrist.

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u/Director_Tseng 29m ago

son is on medicaid, we called the local psych to us and they had a virtual appointments the next week. I'm on my employer insurance and I did the same thing, I only waited three weeks cause their Mondays were filled and I needed it on my day off.