Today, a gentleman wrote to the newspaper complaining about the higher taxes a reform of our health care system would cost, and pointed out that Europeans pay higher taxes because of their national health care plans. I take this opportunity to reply to him.
Almost ten years ago, my son married a young Norwegian woman from a well-to-do family. Her great-grandparents started a store early in the 20th century and it grew to be a very large enterprise, employing all family members and hundreds more. Her father was also wealthy, a top executive with a worldwide candy manufacturer. Her only is a banking executive who heads an international banking organization.
All Norwegians, including the ones I mentioned, willingly pay high taxes in exchange for the services they all receive from their government, regardless of their income or social status. The wealthier people do not resent those of lower economic status, because their feeling is that "We are all in this together, we are all human beings, and we ALL deserve decent medical care, because none of us can control the misfortunes that may happen to us.” [By the way, they also have this attitude about future generations; the riches Norway receives for its North Sea oil are NOT spent on today's pleasures; they are put aside and well managed, for the benefit of FUTURE generations--who, after all, will be their children, grandchildren, etc. Norwegians truly believe in the "common good."]
His wealth did not prevent my son's father-in-law from being diagnosed with MS in his mid-forties. Now unable to work, he receives the same full medical care as anyone else in his country--including a specially-equipped car, a motorized wheelchair, and the best medical care possible. No one resents his use of these resources, because health care is a fundamental need, and also because no one can guarantee they themselves (or their loved ones) will not need the same services at some future date. That is what "fair" means, isn't it?
My daughter-in-law's grandfather, the patriarch of the family and of the family business, was diagnosed about five years ago with a serious blood condition that requires frequent blood transfusions, medicines and other care. He too receives the best care, from the ambulance that picks him up at home and rushes him to the hospital, to all the doctors and procedures his case requires.
Yes, their taxes are high. But what better use of tax money can you think of? Do you not feel that your grandchild deserves the same care as the grandchild of a Congressman? As you may have discovered if any of your loved ones have had medical emergencies, accidents or illnesses, you want to concentrate on their care and recovery rather than how much it is costing. If you have your health, you have everything. If you don't have good health, you would probably give everything you have to get it back--maybe even pay the taxes necessary to do so.
Have I made it clear that providing universal health care for “other people” will not “take away” anything from you or be “unfair” to you. It will be the fairest system. It will not deny care because of your political party or who you voted for. It will be a manifestation of what you CLAIM to believe: that all people are created equal, and that everything should be “fair.”
If you still want to complain about the possible higher taxes that could be required, why haven’t you been complaining for decades about the higher costs ALREADY being paid by taxpayers for all the Emergency Room care and crisis treatment required because people put off regular health maintenance? If that poor person you resent so much has regular checkups and preventive care, he is going to cost you LESS than you are paying now to subsidize those costs.
So, what was your question about taxes?
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