iSpeak on Healthcare

Other countries have universal health coverage in place: Cuba, most European countries, and more. Although various models are used to effect universal coverage, none of these countries have corporations involved in healthcare to the extent the U.S. does. This is what keeps their healthcare costs down. Private health insurance in the U.S. is provided by corporations whose structural mandate is to deliver maximum dividends to the stockholders, not to deliver quality healthcare services to plan subscribers. Healthcare corporations' profits thus go to the shareholders as much as is legally permitted -while medical services and resources are denied or cost-shifted onto individual healthcare plan members - you and me - and onto medical providers, too. This explains why plan costs are skyrocketing and more and more costs are borne by individual consumers (e.g. rising co-pays, limited plan formularies).

Let's reject the healthcare "system" we have now, and instead let's struggle for universal, single-payer health insurance for all Americans.

Jean Weille
Social Worker
Montefiore Medical Center
The Bronx, NY

With health insurance costs clobbering business, both big and small, why aren't they clamoring for national health insurance? Some kind of evil conspiracy exists when those most hurt by private health insurance don't want to do what every industrialized country in the world did ages ago. 1199SEIU has to push this question publicly until the people wise up.

Hyman Adelman
1199SEIU retiree
Somers, NY

We should not be paying for our healthcare, The government should with all the taxes they are getting from our pay.

Dolores Williams
CNA
Cobble Hill Health Center
Brooklyn, NY

As a mattter of principle, healthcare insurance should be considered an absolute right and not--as most people nowadays think--a benefit for only those that can afford it. If and when we can get to that general mindset, the responsibility on who ultimately pays for it will settle itself. For those that cant afford it, the responsibility should lie on the federal government through and with that individual’s employer.

Patrick Sullivan
Computer specialist
Champlain Valley Physicians
Plattsburgh, NY

The government should be responsible for making quality health care accessible to all.

Sybilla Daniel Douglas
RN
Brookdale Medical Center
Brooklyn, NY

Absolutely, a national health system is not practical. A regional system is the only way out of the chaos and to "even the odds".

Bernd Schwarz
Lab tech
Long Island College Hospital
Brooklyn, NY

I understand how expensive health care is but I feel the $60 I pay per month in Union dues plus co-pay on drugs that used to be covered and are not now is enough money to pay for health care considering that I don't make enough money to spend any more per month. My coverage is great and I hope it stays this way. I don't mind paying the dues if I am covered for my health insurance.

Lydia Milnar
Office coordinator
Montefiore Medical Center
Bronx, New York