SOC 490 Week 5

Do we have complete control over our health? This question has a variety of answers; and it can not be a simple yes or no. My opinion has two parts to it. I think that for the most part, we do have control over our basic health. We can control what goes into our bodies to monitor our weight. We can make sure we are dressed appropriately to walk out in cold weather to avoid catching a cold. Now, can we avoid getting sick in general? Probably not, but then we have to take care of our bodies with the correct treatments. On the other hand, cancer is not something we can particularly avoid. It can be cured, but we don't necessarily have control over it as human beings. 

One of the arguments presented in class this week was the idea of "moral hazard." Moral hazard is basically saying that the second universal health care is applied that millions and millions of people that were previously uninsured would knock on the doctors office doors. Gladwell says this is simply not true. On page 60 in our universal health care book, he makes a very interesting point. Basically what he says is that just because we can go to the doctors office, doesn't mean we will. Would people really just wake up one day and feel like just going to the emergency room? Gladwell doesn't think so; and I am in agreement with his viewpoint. 

Now, lets look at the opposition. Would there be more people going to the doctors in the first year or so of universal health care? Absolutely; BUT, can we be prepared for this? Most definitely. The United States is one of the most advanced countries in almost every sense of living except the health care system. We are behind Canada in all health statistics. Our infant mortality rate is extremely high compared to other countries. And on top of that, we even spend more of our GDP per year on our health care system. So do we want this same system? The time for the change is now. 

I would like to end my blog this week by stating my personal opinion on everything we have discussed in class so far. The main argument is obviously universal health care and whether or not it should be inserted in the United States or not. I believe that it should. And for my counterparts, the main argument presented is "why should the work I do help others with their health insurance?"  Ok so when we receive a paycheck there is a lot of money taken out for taxes, and I know on my pay stub, I can see where exactly my money is going. Basically, I will never see more than half of that money and some of it has absolutely no benefit to me whatsoever. And what can I do about this? Complain, that's about all. And where is that going to get me? Nowhere. So my point is that if one more tax was added, what's really the big deal. It isn't hurting you specifically because you will be insured. I believe that this is a good outlook to have on the insertion of universal health care in our health care system.