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Looks like we can add healthcare reform to the list of potential geopolitical consequences to this virus. Time to see if the U.S. medical establishment is reall

Looks like we can add healthcare reform to the list of potential geopolitical consequences to this virus. Time to see if the U.S. medical establishment is really as dire as many claim online. If what you're saying is true about prices, there really will be a full blown outbreak if people can't afford to be tested. I presume some sort of emergency order will be given Nationwide to make testing available for free.

AnIdiotOnTheNet 7y ago
> Looks like we can add healthcare reform to the list of potential geopolitical consequences to this virus. Only if someone takes action, which will likely only happen with public outcry, which will also only likely happen if a whole lot of people die or at least a few celebrities. I'd wager money against it.
- cmurf 7y ago
  I agree, in particular with this puerile illness of celebrity worship and adoration. But part of why it would shock the conscience? Quite a lot of the serfs, spending upwards of $1000 a month for "health care", assume that they are not too far removed from the VIP health care celebrities have access to. If a celebrity dies, a true aristocrat and pinnacle of American greatness, then wow anyone could die! SHOCK! It's a total lack of imagination about reality, and using imagination for bullshit instead.
- owenmarshall 7y ago
  > Only if someone takes action, which will likely only happen with public outcry, which will also only likely happen if a whole lot of people die or at least a few celebrities. I think your ultimate conclusion is far too cynical and pessimistic. The popularity of universal healthcare just in the last 15 years has gone from "herpes" to "acceptable as long as it is a business-driven solution that doesn't rock the boat too much" to "you're disqualified from running for the Democratic nomination for the presidency if this isn't at the heart of your campaign". It polls extremely well on a bipartisan basis, and why shouldn't it? Insurance companies are almost unanimously loathed. Seventy+ percent popularity for healthcare reform plus the possibility of a national crisis that could stretch our systems to the breaking point, damage the economy, and cause individual spending? This could be the push that finally brings a national health system to the US.
reuven 7y ago
I thoroughly agree. At this point, people around the world are getting testing, treatment, and hospitalization that costs little or nothing. In the US, the health secretary is strongly implying that people will have to pay for vaccines and care. I have to expect that Americans will wonder how it can be that the world's richest country, a superpower, with supposedly the best health care in the world, is also the only country in which people go bankrupt just trying to stay alive during a pandemic.
anthm1988 7y ago
The other problem is people have no social safety net and can't afford to miss work. So if they feel like they just have the sniffles they will keep going to work. The US spending the last 50 years sliding to the right and hurting the middle class has left us in a horrifying position right now. The republicans aren't even committing to an affordable vaccine right now. I'm just hoping it doesn't get bad enough to cause disruptions in elections. November can't come soon enough, we need someone competent in charge.

AnIdiotOnTheNet 7y ago

> Looks like we can add healthcare reform to the list of potential geopolitical consequences to this virus. Only if someone takes action, which will likely only happen with public outcry, which will also only likely happen if a whole lot of people die or at least a few celebrities. I'd wager money against it.

cmurf 7y ago
I agree, in particular with this puerile illness of celebrity worship and adoration. But part of why it would shock the conscience? Quite a lot of the serfs, spending upwards of $1000 a month for "health care", assume that they are not too far removed from the VIP health care celebrities have access to. If a celebrity dies, a true aristocrat and pinnacle of American greatness, then wow anyone could die! SHOCK! It's a total lack of imagination about reality, and using imagination for bullshit instead.
owenmarshall 7y ago
> Only if someone takes action, which will likely only happen with public outcry, which will also only likely happen if a whole lot of people die or at least a few celebrities. I think your ultimate conclusion is far too cynical and pessimistic. The popularity of universal healthcare just in the last 15 years has gone from "herpes" to "acceptable as long as it is a business-driven solution that doesn't rock the boat too much" to "you're disqualified from running for the Democratic nomination for the presidency if this isn't at the heart of your campaign". It polls extremely well on a bipartisan basis, and why shouldn't it? Insurance companies are almost unanimously loathed. Seventy+ percent popularity for healthcare reform plus the possibility of a national crisis that could stretch our systems to the breaking point, damage the economy, and cause individual spending? This could be the push that finally brings a national health system to the US.

reuven 7y ago

I thoroughly agree. At this point, people around the world are getting testing, treatment, and hospitalization that costs little or nothing. In the US, the health secretary is strongly implying that people will have to pay for vaccines and care. I have to expect that Americans will wonder how it can be that the world's richest country, a superpower, with supposedly the best health care in the world, is also the only country in which people go bankrupt just trying to stay alive during a pandemic.

anthm1988 7y ago

The other problem is people have no social safety net and can't afford to miss work. So if they feel like they just have the sniffles they will keep going to work. The US spending the last 50 years sliding to the right and hurting the middle class has left us in a horrifying position right now. The republicans aren't even committing to an affordable vaccine right now. I'm just hoping it doesn't get bad enough to cause disruptions in elections. November can't come soon enough, we need someone competent in charge.