If people choose to drink, smoke, eat fast food and otherwise ruin their health, should the government be responsible for paying for the care and treatment of these people when they inevitably become ill? That seems to be the viewpoint of many when it comes to our country’s healthcare. There seems to be little personal responsibility for preserving the precious commodity of one’s health, and a sense of expectation that our employers and/or the government should pay for our care and treatment when we need it. Some feel that the government should provide a standard level of care, and then let consumers choose to invest in their health to any degree they choose, and be responsible for the consequences of that choice. What do you think of that approach to healthcare?

1. JohnF Says:
   October 29th, 2008 at 2:02 pm

   The government should be responsible for reviewing doctors/surgeons success rates. If a doctor has high levels of sick patients that come in regularly, they should be fined and doctors that have high levels of patients that seem to be “healed”, they should be rewarded.

2. Bud L Says:
   October 29th, 2008 at 3:03 pm

   No. And what is a standard level of care?

3. Daveaux Says:
   October 30th, 2008 at 8:42 am

   I do not think the government should be responsible for the poor health decesions made by individuals. They already have labels on cigaretts stating they are harmful to you health and they make fast food companies display nutritional information. What else can they do?