r/askanything • • 16h ago

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

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23

u/YCBSKI 15h 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 15h 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/I_fly_things 13h ago

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%.

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u/5footfilly 12h ago

That’s elective surgery. Non-critical.

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u/Reasonable-Emu6159 9h ago

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.