Forced medical procedures.

@TDonald (1421)
United States
September 3, 2007 3:08am CST
John Edwards, one of the Democratics who wants to be the next USA president, is proposing mandatory doctor visits as part of his universal health care plan. Would you want the government telling you that you are REQUIRED to have a medical procedure done?
3 people like this
5 responses
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
3 Sep 07
I think intially it would be good for people so long as people's ownership of their bodies is not taken away, everyone must keep the right to say no it this is their choice, there are certain things I would say no to and I think enforced procedures is taking freedom away from people as it is your body...
@TDonald (1421)
• United States
3 Sep 07
The intentions may be right, but the implications could be sinister.
1 person likes this
@lpetges (3036)
• United States
3 Sep 07
i think this whole country needs an insurance policy of some kind.. not sure about the plan, but i know that it sucks for us. we have middle of the road insurance, and we pay for some of it. we just recently found out that when we were on vacation, we ae not covered unless a "network provider" works on you. this could bankrupt us if we are out of our network, and say my husband had a heart attack outside of our area that we live in. how stupid is that? insurance isnt what it used to be, but then again niether are the costs of any procedure. its ridiculous. i know a couple of people who have gone outside of the country to get their cancer treatents,, not only was it cheaper, it was quicker, and recovery was easier. we need somethng here for everyone. if your not poor, you cant get good health care.
1 person likes this
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
3 Sep 07
This is not about medical procedures... It is about medical check up. This would be more about protecting children than individuals. Nobody cares if you are sick and don't want to take yourself to the doctor. But we do care if your child is sick... and you don't take it to the doctor. It is about protecting innocent children from bad parents. It could also be about protecting old people from bad children. I think that you people in America are up for a rude shock as you come in line with the rest of the world. You seem to be enjoying a wild freedom that was taken away from the rest of us a long time ago. It is ironic that you have no tolerance for anyone wanting to tell you what to do... but at the same time... you keep telling the rest of the world what to do.
@TDonald (1421)
• United States
4 Sep 07
This is about the government telling you you have to subject yourself to medical testing. You may enjoy mandatory bureaucratic probing, I don't. Thanks for the anti-American rant. Don't confuse the policies of government and multi-national corporations with the wishes of the majority of American people.
@TDonald (1421)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Fall in line with what? who? why?
1 person likes this
• Australia
4 Sep 07
For the record... I am not anti-American at all. The problem is not with me... but with Americans who have a chip on their shoulders and view anyone not agreeing with them as anti-American. Like it or not... but eventually you will have to fall in line like everybody else... and it is going to happen sooner than you think... mark my word. While your freedom is wonderful... it does come at a price. In Australia... everyone is free. In America... only those with money are free.
• United States
3 Sep 07
i can understand a mandatory once a year doctor checkup. but NOT being required to undergo a prodecedure, of any kind! i dont care if i have a humongous wart that they want to take off, if i want to keep the ugly thing, then im keeping it! not even considering major operations! and you're right, its a good thought, that has some scary potential.
1 person likes this
@wotfpatty (2065)
• United States
5 Sep 07
I don't mind the government wanting me and my kids to have a yearly checkup as long as THEY PAY FOR IT. However, I will not ever allow anyone to tell me that I have to have any sort of procedure done. I don't even think that is legal and doubt it ever will be. No one can force anyone to have an operation or procedure even if it means the person will die from not having it done. I think people should be vigilant enough to go yearly for a checkup anyway to be sure everything is OK without being forced although I know some who refuse to go to a doctor for any reason. Kids should be treated and have their shots though. But if you are asking if I want the government to to tell me I am required to have any sort of procedure, of course not, and I would break the "law" if need be if I felt that was right for me. Not as engaging as the discussion before mine but the best I could do! lol.
@TDonald (1421)
• United States
5 Sep 07
I think the intent is to require tests for certain diseases. How invasive this could become is open for speculation. There could be conflicts with people with certain religious beliefs too. And would you be punished if you refused a test or just denied medical insurance?
1 person likes this
@wotfpatty (2065)
• United States
6 Sep 07
Hi Plooker, It was an amazing exchange! I have no idea what it is all about but the animosity was very vivid. It was a relief to not be one of the two who were having that kind of discussion! And TDonald, I agree that if there is anything more than the government will pay for a yearly check up, I don't want it. I take care of myself in MY way and, as you said, some religions don't believe in certain tests and procedures and some people simply do not want medical intervention for their own reasons. If I had to say yes I agree or no I don't to your initial question, it would be no. We need better health care but we need it for those who want and seek it, not for those who are forced to do things they don't want to do.