Greetings back! Fantastic picture.

I think the main opposition to mandatory health insurance is the idea on the part of some that it infringes on civil liberties; the idea that the government "forces" us to do anything is considered anathema by many. If someone wants to pay for health care out of pocket, some would argue, they should have the right to do so.

It is worth mentioning that I do not share this view; the government requires us to get car insurance, for example. And nobody is going to pay for health insurance out of pocket. If they can't buy insurance, they are simply going to show up to the doctor with no insurance and then not pay.

Hope this makes sense.

Why should someone be forced to buy something they don't want?

Hi New Zealand!

I actually don't have an answer for you but wanted to say hello! I think the root of the problem with health insurance is pharmaceutical profit margins. Healthcare is tied up with corporate corruption and profit, not focused on human needs and access.

Love to visit NZ some day! My mom spent a month there a few years back and my former partner did as well. It looks lovely and so friendly!

I have a question for you: Is it true that the parliament is designed so that proportionally there is equal representation (women, Maori, etc.)?

I'm for the healthcare, but from what I've heard from people against it, some consider it socialist and for some reason socialism is equivalent with pure evil in America. It's not a logical reason. Also, another one is people don't want the higher tax that would come with the universal healthcare.

Hi Gerda, the reason is because some people feel that no one should be force into getting something they don't want or need. In addition there are concerns with the cost of health insurance going up, most people think that instead of helping bringing cost down it will go up. At this time politicians have different interest and since we have elections coming up in November both Democrats and Republicans are using this subject to their advantage. Greetings from Dallas-Fort Worth Texas!

Hello Gerda, or should I say Wie Gehts!

The healthcare issue is debated intensely. Americans do not like having their choices made for them, especially when it comes to taking the money first (in taxes) and then saying we can only have a dictated list of options. I personally subscribe to the belief that we should all take care of each other, but at the same time, be willing to do our part to contribute to the well-being of the world!

My grandmother came from Lahnstein (in Western Germany) and I thought it would be great to make a connection to someone who speaks both English and German!

Best Regards, Jeff B. Zanesville, Ohio, USA

Guten Abend Gerda!

Two more cents on #healthcare, as I am currently reading Supreme Court decision for the act for constitutional law. The major issue is that the government had no way to enforce people to get health insurance who either did not want to buy it (lazy), could not afford it (poor or working class) or felt they honestly did not need it (rarely see a doctor, rarely get sick and do not want to pay premiums monthly for something they don't need).

The original bill required everyone to "buy" health insurance as it was the only way that this country could start to balance out its horrible healthcare crisis#: 1) people not receiving preventative care, waiting too late until their condition was catastrophic and then being admitting into emergency rooms. 2) By law, hospitals have to see people. So the hospital is left with the bill, so they give it to insurance companies. 3) The health insurance co.s then in turn pay for it by raising the insurance prices on average Americans.

That's the basic run-down of how healthcare exists in our country.

Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you think, our Constitution is interpreted to limit Congressional/federal power in that the federal government can not compel non-economic actors, ordinary citizens who are not "contributing to the economy" to become active, to contribute. That was the argument that won out. The reality is at some point every one of us will use the healthcare system and be compelled into this "economic activity" b/c we are human.

If you ever want to read a great thinker when it comes to American politics, find the dissents from #Justice Stevens He is our saving grace in the Supreme Court. Brilliant thinker and realist.

Hi Gerda, as a healthcare administrator there are various issues seen around healthcare insurance. In addition to the points already raised I want to mention that control or administration of healthcare in the United States is limited by both private companies and the government. Private companies that administer healthcare plans have their own rules and patient care management guidelines that limit access. Government regulations and legislation again provide limits on healthcare received by patients. Government and business depending on perspective can immediately be seen as a negative. Overall, the idea of freedom, choice, or liberty in healthcare is a false one.