I'm a Democrat, but it upsets me...

[nico1908]

... that President Obama just pledged $15 billion to Medicaid programs.

What about those of us who do not have and/or cannot afford health insurance but aren't poor enough to qualify for Medicaid? Don't get me wrong - I'm all for helping the poor, but they already have basic medical care at no cost to them, while the rest of us have to pay extra to cover the losses from the uninsured.

I think those billions would be better spent to finally get a nationwide health insurance program started.

*end of rant*

Comments

[sharpchick.livejournal.com]

Unless I miss my guess, they are going that way because many states can take their share of the pie and pull down a three to one federal match. . .

So yeah, that number gets even bigger.

And I see your point.

[drgaellon]

Because any national health program is going to have to be built on the bones of Medicaid and Medicare; there's no time to reinvent the infrastructure a THIRD time. If Medicaid collapses, there's NO HOPE of a national health program.

[nico1908.livejournal.com]

I wasn't aware that Medicaid is on the verge of collapse. O.o

I see it the other way around: create a national health insurance program and Medicaid and Medicare will be much better off because everybody will pay into the system.

Such programs exist in other countries. It could be worth looking at them. - But of course the US are no exception to the fact that everybody always has to reinvent the wheel.