Christopher
Active Member
- Aug 7, 2009
- 569
- 75
- 28
Are you kidding? Sure, start at the public library and go to the section on biographies. They are usually a very good source of historical information and most are well annotated, linking to primary sources (letters, documents and such).
PBS- Healthcare Crisis: Healthcare Timeline
(a simple historical matrix)
A Brief History: Universal Health Care Efforts in the US | Physicians for a National Health Program
(A doctor organization discussing national health cares history in our nation)
EH.Net Encyclopedia: Health Insurance in the United States
(an academic historical analysis
Notice the tone of these links, none are emotional, though number two above is clearly partisan in favor of national health insurance. And then think about the 'arguments' presented by McConnell/Boehner/Palin/Limbaugh/Hannity/et al of the RW, all are fear and ideologically based. It's really sad that many in our nation choose to listen to the sound bite, the fear mongering and the propaganda and are to lazy to spent the time researching issues.
Let me explain myself better. The original article you provided in this thread took some facts and figures and drew some conclusions about our health care system. There was no credible analysis provided that confirmed his/her conclusions. For instance, the author says we are getting poor results for the amount of money we spend on health care as compared to other nations. The author automatically assumes that the problem is entirely caused by the US health care system, which is not true. Many of our health problems are caused because we have many more people who live or have lived unhealthy lifestyles. Yet you claimed that historical evidence proves the authors opinion correct.
Thank you for providing these links, however, they do not provide an analysis of WHY health care costs have increased. All they seem to do is show the history of things that happened, leaving out the WHY. If we are going to fix any problem we have to first understand why the problem is there, wouldnt you agree?
I do agree we need to ask why. But the historical record provides a framwork for asking the intelligent/informed questions. Your point on unhealthy lifestyles is particualarly germain. Consider the Congress unwillingness to curtail the tobacco industry; or the efforts by many today to deny universal health care education and preventative care for all American citizens.
Both are the result of greed and self interest - need I explain the nexus?
Yet none of the links you provided are asking why and that is the problem. The assumption with the links you provide is that we need more government intervention into the health care market.
Here, you should read this from the CBO. It actually explains many of the reasons why health care costs have soared. Technological Change and the Growth of Health Care Spending
Also, there is a big link between unhealthy lifestyles and a country's overall health. You should read this study as well: http://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1012&context=psc_working_papers
We have made great strides in informing people of the risks of smoking, without even changing anything about the health care system.