Univ. Health Care - In countries that currently have it, do companies....

[NoMoreRedInk]

provide add'l insurance to their employees?

The reason I ask is that I often see arguments that UHC will lower employee costs for corporations.

I fear the unintended consequences of UHC is that an "elite HC system" will prop up overnight where the best doctors opt out of the government programs and new private health insurance policies pop up that allow the rich (or highly employed) to avoid the government health care system to enjoy a high-priced, high-quality, low-headache healthcare system.

Has this happened in countries with UHC?

[democratreformed]

1. That's

my biggest fear also. Also, I am wondering how it will be determined what will be covered. Many other questions as well.

But, my biggest fear is that people on the public system will have to settle for less - such as those just coming out of med school and working within the public system to pay off their debts.

[Fescue4u]

2. If its done right

Then an "elite HC system" won't pop up. If it does appear, its because the socialized health care system isnt meeting the needs of the population.

Frankly, if the government health care system isnt a high-quality, low headache system, then we don't need it anyway.

[Spazito]

3. In Canada, everyone receives basic health care....

additional coverage is for dental, eye glassess, that kind of thing.

[democratreformed]

4. But

how is basic healthcare defined. I can think of lots of things that fall under health care that aren't necessary to physical health.
For example, most insurances here, even now, do not cover birth control. Are they covered under your government plan? What about fertility treatments? plastic surgery? diet pills? You get the picture.

[Spazito]

5. Here you go, a link to the legislation so you can check out your..

questions.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/medicare/chaover.htm

[democratreformed]

6. Thanks!

[papau]

7. Rich will always have better care - and some MD's will go private

Most Countries have insurance companies offerring supplemental policies to those that want the private room at the private hospital in the country with the doctor who only works on the somewhat wealthy.

The very wealthy just have private doctors/hospitals that they go to if they wish.

I do not see the problem relative to the current situation - where all the above apply - plus you have those with no care - plus you have a rip-off for basic health care of an additional 15% to 30% to cover CEO salary, Insurance company profit, and just plain ineff. of multiple forms for claims.