|
Feedback ForumShould all U.S. children be guaranteed publicly-funded medical assistance, regardless of family income?Submissions for this question are no longer being accepted. Previously submitted comments appear below. Comments may have been edited for content or space. Poster: Helene Comment: Yes all Children in the U. S. Should have access to health care. Single payer Health care is imperitive for All people in the United States. We are the only industrialized country without it. All people here need to have health care. This is life and death and no one should be deprived of healthcare or their life because of their financial circumstances. Poster: Charlie M Comment: Single Payer healthcare for ALL is essential for the health and economic welfare of the USA. The USA is the only industrialized country that does not believe in looking after it's fellow citizens. The country is/will not go broke because we look after one another, it is going broke because of corporate welfare/subsidies/tax policies. If we stop being such a greedy bunch, just thinking about our OWN particular situation then this country MIGHT prosper again. Poster: Charlie M Comment: Single Payer healthcare for ALL is essential for the health and economic welfare of the USA. The USA is the only industrialized country that does not believe in looking after it's fellow citizens. The country is/will not go broke because we look after one another, it is going broke because of corporate welfare/subsidies/tax policies. If we stop being such a greedy bunch, just thinking about our OWN particular situation then this country MIGHT prosper again. Poster: Mary K Comment: Publicly funded for children whose families can't afford it--of course. For middle and upper income children--no! How do you justify increasing the tax burden on working class families so children in families with incomes of $80,000, $100,000, or $250,000+ can receive free health care? It's absurd. Also, what ever happened to parental responsibility? Poster: Ann Cader Comment: Yes, absolutely, it is no luxury or option to be sick or injured-----and we need all our children to grow up strong and healthy---for their own sake and, as well, so they can become contributors to our society. Poster: Theodore Cleveland Comment: I just finished watching the story on Medical assistance in Georgia. My wife and I was very sadden by the story and quite disturbed by how heartless the governor of Georgia is. My question is would he sound so heartless if this was an election year? We are very familiar with what is going on there. in 2 weeks I will be completing our daughter and her 2 childrens move back to Illinois. Her moving is mainly due to the lack of medical and health care assistance provided by Georgia to low income families. Poster: Scott T. Comment: I think that low-income children, whose parents cannot afford health insurance either through their jobs or privately bought insurance should be guaranted publicly-funded medical assistance. Family income should definately be a requirement. How would it be fair for a richer family be given assistance when a lower-income family may not be given the assistance because the the program is closed because of lack of funds. Poster: Phil Comment: It's time the U.S. catch up with the rest of the world and show it cares about its children by providing universal healthcare to all children. It's a vital and rational first step, and anything short makes the U.S. and embarrassment of the world. We would rather kill innocent civilian kids in foreign countries than provide basic affordable care for our own? Absurdity. Poster: Todd Wedge Comment: As a human Yes. But we in america live under a perverse system of trade, were doing the wrong thing will make you more money. Poster: Susan Matthews Comment: What has happened to that poor girl with diabetes? Has she gotten help? Yes, all children should receive guaranteed public-funded medical assistance. Poster: Fred Rochte Comment: In general, I'd say yes. However, there are some situations in which I think medical assistance should not be provided even though parents might demand it. When a child is brain dead, for example. Public funding in such situations could take away from others more likely to benefit. The word triage comes to mind. We need clear protocols before assigning blanket coverage. Poster: zelma kay Comment: people earning at least 50M & more should pay for their childrens health bills. Poster: Cara Koch Comment: Yes, all US children should be guaranteed medical care regardless of income. This is an investment in our future, and children who begin life with a health deficit only end up being an economic liability instead of asset, if one is to put it in purely economic terms. Poster: Anne Comment: All children should have health care. This keeps all of us healthier, because communicable deseases are corralled for one thing. Another is that children who are unhealthy are unhappy if not treated, becoming discipline problems in schools and troubled young adults later. I'd rather pay for healthcare with my taxes than prisons and rehab. The lack of health care available to the poor child proves to them they are on the 'outside' looking in.......and it would be only natural to develope anger over this...it's human nature. Children with healthcare problems taken care of become healthier adults who enter the work force and contribute-which is better for everyone. Children who receive needed health care feel cared for, and become better adjusted adults. In fact, every citizen of this country should have universal health care for all the same reasons listed above. Cut out the profit & pork, we have not only a better healthcare system for all, but better politicians as well.....well, at least they might be more honest without all the insurance, HMO and pharmaceutical cash flowing in by way of lobbyist. Poster: Mike Norris Comment: Yes - Early healthcare should be accessible to anyone in our country, especially children. Without early healthcare children will be more susceptible to later diseases in life, or costly emergency care. Poor children must have early healthcare to help change the poverty cycle. Poster: Toni Beach Comment: As a single mother and a legal immigrant (who came into this country with $16 between the 3 of us: my mother, my sister and myself) and I raised my children without getting anything free from the government, I say medical assistance funded by taxpayers should be based on family income and to only people who are here legally. I was appalled watching the Now program of today, 7/6/07, and seeing that there was no help with insuling for a young American girl whose father had just lost his job when I have heard of adults in Pinellas County, Florida, who are here waiting to be legalized who have gotten free pep smear and mammograms. What is happening to this country? When I came to this country, my aunt had signed an affidavit that we would not become a problem for the State. Maybe the States are running out of money because there are too many people receiving assistance who are not entitled. Poster: Brian Comment: Of course they should. Is health care a right of the well-to-do? A country cannot pretend to be a democracy when within that country, access to basic human needs is an object of competition at best, and in truth is unavailable or only available in substandard form to a vast percentage of its vast population. American people don't need Michael Moore to tell them that their health care is substandard, difficult or impossible to access, and frightening. But they can be grateful that he is doing so, so as to facilitate and generate a public discussion. Poster: Anne Fisher Comment: Yes--studies have shown that paying for decent health care for children pays for itself in future health care savings. We need to end the cycle of poor children with poor health care turning into adults with more serious problems that need to be supported by the government in perpetuity. A reasonable level of health care should be the right of all Americans regardless of income. Poster: Jack Paul Comment: The story about the young single real estate agent and her daughter was touching, and generated concern, but (I may have missed it)...where is the daughter's father?? Is he dead? In jail? Did he just walk away from the daughter and her mother? I believe there shoud be some kind of enforced paternal responsibility if dad just won't assume it himself. Poster: john wood Comment: I feel that Parents who can afford insurance for their children should insure them. Children of Parents who can not insure them must be covered by a government program. Poster: john wood Comment: Has the Doctor of the young girl with diabetes tried approaching the drug companies who make insulin for help? Many pharmaceutical companies have pro bono programs to help in situation like this. Poster: Shyam Nadkarni Comment: No. There is no need to provide medical assistance to families that can afford insurance. It is even more important that no child suffer due to lack of medical assistance. It is a shame when Politicians worry more about business interest of Insurance companies than the health of our children. Are voters so uninformed that they can get away with it? Poster: Jerry Newsom Comment: Nothing but UNIVERSAL COVERAGE will do at this point !!! This is NOT a THIRD WORLD COUNTRY!! You're going to hear the term SOCIALIZED MEDICINE more than the words WAR ON TERROR over the next year in an effort to SCARE THE WITS OUT OF AMERICANS!!!!! Poster: David E. Mynott II Comment: Yes. Healthcare is a universal & basic human right, not a privilege or a luxury reserved for only the rich. And NOT health insurance, but rather: healthcare. Stop the governmental subsidy of the insurance companies-- who've been bleeding us dry. Pun intended. Support the Conyers/Kucinich bill, H.R. 676: universal healthcare, NOT health insurance. Poster: rhewett Comment: NO Poster: Denise Romesburg Comment: Yes. There is no excuse for letting our most vulnerable citizens be at risk. Poster: Sharon Becker Comment: Absolutely! First because as a so-called Christian nation, we must. Secondly, this is the way we'll get single-payer universal coverage. Poster: William Comment: Absolutely! -But why should we limit it to children? Everyone in this country should have access to quality health care. Health promotion and disease prevention must be emphasized and fully funded in primary care. Advanced practice nurses are well prepared to ensure access to safe and affordable care. Artificial barriers to advanced practice nursing in all settings must be removed in a new model of health care that values the service rather than the credential. Poster: Joan Voelz Comment: We are the only well off country that doesn't have universal government run medical care for everyone Poster: Joyce M. Latham Comment: Yes, all children need basic care. However, we also need to expand the health care system, create more doctors, nurses and auxiliary personnel ... sometimes it's not the cost, but the pure availability of medical professionals in a community. Poster: Becky Levene Comment: I feel all children have the right to guaranteed publicly-funded medical assistance but I am undecided if it sould be regardless of family income. I live in Arizona and work for the state's Medicaid program (AZ Health Care Cost Containment System). The state funds medical assistance for children through AHCCCS called KidsCare. Millions of children in this state benefit from this program. There is an income limit, but it is well above the average household income of the majority of the population in this state. I feel this type of program used nationwide would help the greatest number of children in America in receiving quality medical assistance. Poster: Romina Comment: Of course! And not only children, but ALL OF US!! Poster: Comment: As a highly developed county there should be NO children lacking health care because of their parents income. The fact that children can die because of a lack of health insurance is absolutely unconscionable! Our country needs every citizen to be able to develop to their full potential to keep us competitive in the world. Who knows what great minds are being damaged because of a lack of nutrition, proper stimulation and good health care! Poster: Brita Skarbrevik Comment: No BUT all children should be covered by health insurance. One payer government program with reasonable premiums based on income and family size so many families would be subsidized while others would receive totally free care. Let's call it KidCare! I would not expect KidCare to pay for itself. Although, actually, it would in the long term pay for itself by providing our society with: healthier children who would learn better, with less absenteeism, and less severe illnesses. Long term this would also provide less stress on families and healthier worker citizens. Poster: Vicki Sparks Comment: Children should most certainly be guaranteed medical care regardless of family income, but then, so should all the rest of us! As far as I'm concerned this is a right, like free speech, free assembly, bearing arms, and all the rest. We would be a much stronger and healthier country if we took care of our own citizens. Poster: Selma Goldberg Comment: I don't like your question. I believe in guaranteed health care for all, not just children. I believe in a federally funded (no insurance companies!) single payer system. Poster: Judy Atterholt Comment: All U.S. children should receive basic health services--publicly-funded where necessary. Investing in the health and well-being of all who live here is a grand way for Americans to use public funds. Poster: Kare vanHorn Comment: Everyone should have health care, - especially all children. The U. S. is a disgrace to civilization. Poster: Kate vanHorn Comment: This adminsitration is the most horrendous immoral of all time. They deny a woman's right to choose but do nothing for the chiodrenor the women), - especially the poor. Every child should be wanted and cared for, getting comprehensive medical care. All theBushites want poor children for is to fight their stupid wars. Poster: Janet Comment: NO!! They do not work. They pay no taxes. Many adults are not parents. So, why should WE, the single, childless (or married with children) taxpayers fund insurance for the littlehuman verminwhen many of US, the working poor or middle-class ADULTS, are not guaranteed publicly-funded (or ANY funded, for that matter) health insurance for US?? Answer THAT question for me!! PLEASE!! Poster: Ellie Comment: All HUMANS should be insured. Not just children. Poster: Nathan Booker Comment: What better investment in our future than a healthy child who will become our healthy caretaker. Plus, It is our collective responsibility to provide for these people who cannot provide for themselves. Poster: Linda Bentley Comment: All children should receive medical care. I have seven grandchildren who fall into the category of too much income for public assistance, but the parents do not work for major companies that provide group insurance. My granddaughter recently cut her thumb and it cost over $1000.00 for it to be stitched up without surgery. If our government was involved, it could force the rates to be less for everybody. |
Who's Helping Our Wounded Vets?
Elizabeth Warren on the Economy
Nurses Needed
Electric Car Dreams
PBS Special Report: Health Care Reform
