A discussion on public health spending

'Grumpy' suggested healthcare shouldn't be funded, “just another small bite out of the taxpayers wallet….keep em coming we still have a little left.”

'A mother' responded, “you know what? i have 4 children under the age of 5, i do not work, but my husband has a VERY good job at the health region so NOT everyone is taking “money from your wallet” when they have kids. so keep your nasty comments to yourself!”

'Tommydouglas' said, “to put it less rudely, maybe there shoud be a debate over whether free medicine for everyone is sustainable- maybe people (or at least all able-bodied people) should have to purchase their own medical insurance. The facts are that medical care is now much more expensive and complicated and we have an aging population- old people cost medicare more, not enough working young people to pay for it.
why should medical care be free for everyone where we are rapidly approaching the point were we cannot pay for it”

'Pme off' responded, “So Tommy, Looks like you and grumpy belong is the same boat.I bet you and grumpy have relatives that have children (more than 2) and I am also betting that there is maybe 1 person in the home that is working! THus meaning that our $$ are supporting them too in the free medicine that you yak about. Cause generally the stay at home mom does NOT have here medical insurance..You people are outrageous! This is a couple that have brought a life into the world which is human..just because they are of native ancestry you dog them for this! If it was a “white” couple all would be dandy for you two idiots. How about this maybe you should trace your “family roots” way back cause I am betting you two fools both have native ancestry in your blood lines. Now how about all the people that are coming into our country from all over the world, do you snuff at them for having 2, 3 maybe even 5 children and get free medicine, housing, schooling ect. This is all coming from us tax payers. Therefore I think you should take a step back and look at ALL races of human beings before you decide to dog on one race…There are good and bad in everyone! Those that choose to work and those that don't. There are alot of non workers that take the easy street in all races..cause they are the smart ones and know how to work the system.”

'A mother' added, “i am a stay at home mom of 4! i DO NOT get medications for FREE. i HAVE a health plan that is not sask health! i am a stay at home mom yes, but im far from being on social assistance! dont put all “stay at home moms” in the same category! i am a RN who has decided to stay home with her kids until they all reach grade 1, my husband also works with the health region and makes DOUBLE what i did as an RN, all of the stay at home moms that i know have husbands that make more than enough to survive on one income! so please dont put us in the same category as those that dont WANT to work and are on assistance.”

'SW' said, “There has been a debate and there are many reasons:
1. The rich are getting richer, while the poor are getting poorer.
2. It is a slippery slope in determining who is “able bodied”
3. Those who may be “able bodied” may not be of “able mind” and would not be able to function and keep a job.
4. Those in jobs that lack medical insurance/pension etc would die as soon as they retire.
5. Many people believe in working as a community rather than for oneself.
6. Those that are rich would be able to step ahead the line at the doctors office, JUST because they make a higher salary.
7. Doctors would move to urban area's and leave rural area's without medical care.
And many more…
On a side note, it is VERY interesting that you chose Tommy Douglas as your name as he was voted in 2004 as Canada's “father of medicine”. Tommy D. introduced universal health care to Canada and I for one am grateful.”

'Tommydouglas' responded, “SW, did it ever occur to you that when you give away things for free, it sometimes has unintended consequences, such as creating a culture of dependance? and along with dependance comes big government, which is another form of dependance. And maybe the poor would not be getting poorer if they were encouraged to look after themselves, as poverty is often in our society a result of bad choices made, choices that result from socio-economic factors that mold and influence people.
ps: I am not a big Tommy D fan becasue of his fixation with eugenics (which was common at teh time, in fairness to him)”

'PAGUY' agrees with SW, “I agree SW…. The USA is trying to get free health care and they're being bucked left, right and centre. Canada, and more specifically, Saskatchewan is the birth place of free, universal health care and we're slowly letting it slip through our fingers. Free Enterprise health care is for the wealthy…it hasn't been working in the USA… and if we're not careful, the right-wings will get rid of free health care in favour of an American model.

You can tell how good a country is by how it treats its least fortunate people….I'm proud to be Canadian and from Saskatchewan. And even with its issues, I'd rather have free healthcare then to have to worry about paying outrageous medical bills/insurance or being passed up because someone has more money, therefore they get faster treatment.

I thought we are supposed to be moving forward in this world, not backwards! To all you right-winger's….this world is NOT all about money…when you meet your maker (whatever your beliefs may be)…he/she won't ask how much money is in your account, rather how well you treated your fellow human beings!

'Tommydouglas' responded, “PAGUY, you have such a big heart- that you want everyone else to pay for everything!
but consider this- every good intention can have negative unintended consequences- please consider this notion! (with your head, not your heart)”

'grumpy' said, “15% of the population demands 85% of the Social Services budget…how's that for starters???”

'critical thinker' replied, “Like I said, start another article about it. I don't know where you got these stats from, so maybe offer proof or a link. There is money wasted in social services, health care, highways and anything the government has it's fingers in is most likely bloated and inefficient.”

by paNOW Staff

A discussion on public health spending

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