Quote Originally Posted by 'Ðeceased',index.php?page=Thread&postID=78383#post 78383
Economically a privately run facility/company has to be commercially viable to succeed. The problem there is that cutting too many corners in a area such as healthcare, is in my mind, unethical (this is where legislation to protect consumers or those who would like to be consumers comes in, yet it seems to be often ignored for financial gain).
A government run facility should, I stress should, provide treatment to all, as it has the funds at its disposal to do so. But as you rightly pointed out, incentive and efficiency are often an issue. Again this is where legislation and in both cases an independent assessor is needed (one that can't be bought).

As regards to corruption, I don't understand how so much can take place. I was flabbergasted at the amount of bribes handed out with regards to healthcare alone! Why aren't they held accountable? Why aren't they fined and fired, or even put in jail.
Soz sometimes I feel I should go into politics just so i can go sort out the crap that goes on.. save the counrty a couple of billion whilst I'm at it! :P

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Government-run facilities suck. Those are military and VA hospitals, which I've been to many times. They're a waste of money because they aren't run efficiently like a business, and provide sub-standard care using the cheapest medical products they can find in an effort to cut corners. I'm all with Ughmahedhurtz on these topics. The more the government is involved, the more money is wasted. The government should only be involved in providing sufficient laws to create a level playing field in all walks of life. It worked in the past, before government waste and bad laws let things get out of control. You don't need government-run healthcare for healthcare to be affordable.

My reference above to the TV sale still applies as a valid analogy. The point isn't about necessity versus luxury; it's about unnecessary expenditures versus what will do the job correctly based on who's paying the bill. Hospitals will nickel and dime every unncessary test and drug when the government (Medicare) is paying the bill. They *won't* do this if you are paying the bill and seem concerned about the cost vs reward for these tests/drugs.

With regards to corruption, that's what happens when both major political parties are represented by a majority of corrupt politicians. The fact that so many voters are clueless and tend to only vote for the names they recognize doesn't help solve the problem. Far too many people don't understand that there are much better choices than the two parties/candidates that spend the most money in elections. I'm not saying Ralph Nader and the Green Party is the answer either. As crazy as it sounds, Jesse Ventura would make a better president than McCain and Obama. Ventura is well aware of the political corruption and has a no-bullshit attitude toward people who aren't doing the right thing. That's why he's dropped party affiliation and is now an Independent. Lou Dobbs is another name that comes to mind of someone who could help the country. Unfortunately, he's making far too much money now to take a pay cut and run for the highest office.