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OpenStars, in What is the most promising pathway to reach universal healthcare?
@OpenStars@kbin.social avatar

"All" is an awfully large group - perhaps start with "some", e.g. "all in Maine" (and likely some subset of that even, like those who have lived there for 5+ years already, to avoid someone getting cancer first, then suddenly moving to Maine, then once the expensive treatments are over with go back home, etc.), and then if people enjoy seeing it be done well, expand our from there. I dunno... it's a thought, at least.

Varyk,

No, we don’t need to see if public healthcare works. We already know that it’s cheaper than private healthcare and that it works better than private health care.

Other countries have been proving that for generations and the numbers prove it in our country.

We just have to do it.

LesserAbe,

I think comment above yours has a point. It’s not a question of whether or not it works, it’s a question of getting people on board, and fending off vested interests like insurance companies. So maybe getting it done in one place would be more attainable, and serve as an advertisement. For me at least, I’m asking how we do it. Saying “we just have to do it” isn’t actionable advice.

Varyk,

We know how to do it, we already have Medicare and all of the first world countries have proven that as long as you give funding to the medical industry, public health care works, the same as libraries receiving funding or fire departments receiving funding.

You can take a look at any referendum to see how specifically we would transition to that system, but it would basically be expanding Medicare to Medicare for all, and later removing the remaining restrictions for pre-existing conditions.

It would be a very simple transition, and more productive for the country and cheaper for everyone.

The only reason we’re not doing it are profit driven motives by people making money off of the private health care industry.

LesserAbe,

Sorry, I think we’re talking past each other. I’m not asking how the mechanics of the healthcare would work once a bill is passed. How do we even get that far? Our elected representatives don’t seem to have substantive interest (a few bright spots aside) and while polls often show majority support amongst the public, the results can vary a lot based on how the question is asked. So big picture / long term just as a start we need more perfect democracy, and we need better awareness and advocacy of the idea. In terms of first steps and short term (I think regretfully a decade or two is short term) I could see an argument to implement it in a specific state, or expanding medicare for certain age groups or something like that. But I don’t know! That’s why I’m asking.

Varyk,

Oh I see. I was literally putting together a list of the developments Cypress took when they enacted universal healthcare in 2019 and the Medicare for All bullet points to explain the initial steps more clearly.

You’re actually curious how we can foment support for such a bill, if I understand correctly.

Ideally, you attend rallies and town hall discussions about health care and call up your senators and public officials and radically advocate for it and get enough people to join forces to convince politicians to vote for it.

Practically? We have two options. 1) getting lucky and voting in someone as focused on positive progress as Bernie or 2) in the United States, where economic dominance is the primary factor that shifts private interests, just like recently with sustainable energy, just like with transportation infrastructure, we’re going to see the point where large corporate interests and our government simultaneously realize that they’re losing capital ground to international competitors because they refuse to make progress on the key issue of health.

Once they realize that the incredibly cheap healthcare offered to first world citizens supports the interest of the upper class by keeping a healthy and happy proletariat is complimented by the international embarrassment of having the only wealthy population that often can’t financially or medically survive a fairly innocuous malady like a broken leg or diabetes, we’re going to very rapidly see sweeping reforms that will actually be taking a step in the right direction because the forces that be are retreating in fear from seeing the end of the road they’re forcing the rest of us to walk down(they lose power).

It sounds bleak, but it’s actually a good thing. Target will have big placards with doctor saying “and it doesn’t cost anything!” putting a Band-Aid on a kid’s knee, you’ll see speeches by politicians about how we’ve always had the best healthcare system, and now you’re getting better than the best, even though they’ll just be playing catch up with first world countries .

But that’s fine because our dumb system and the people who believe they control it will be learning. They’re just learning the hardest, stupidest way, that doing the right thing actually benefits everybody.

I think the same thing will happen with education, we’re already dumb as hell compared to other countries because we don’t offer affordable education, and we’re already past the point that we’ve lost an entire generation of professionals because of it.

TLDR: critical mass will be reached as other countries outpace us because their citizens don’t die from colds, and those in control will change their minds.

OpenStars,
@OpenStars@kbin.social avatar

Have you watched this yet? The first 30s should let you know whether it's for you, and the rest may well change everything for you, forever:-).

_dev_null, in What cheap tool/gadget do you use that greatly improves your daily life?
@_dev_null@lemmy.zxcvn.xyz avatar

A convoy s3 flashlight with uv emitter, about $15 US.

I have a geriatric puppy who’s starting to “leak”, and this flashlight is really quick and easy to tell where needs to be cleaned up. Way easier than shining a regular light, missing and slipping on a puddle.

radix,
@radix@lemm.ee avatar

Now that’s something I’ve never thought of. You must care a lot for the puppy.

Transcendant,

Please pay the dog tax. We’d love to see your senior pup!

bi_tux, in What cheap tool/gadget do you use that greatly improves your daily life?
@bi_tux@lemmy.world avatar

A keyholder, quite usefull

fiat_lux, in What is the most promising pathway to reach universal healthcare?

What are the steps / methods most likely to get us there?

The steps others have already successfully taken in other countries. Even when the contexts are different, there is often something to be learnt by looking at previous battles.

Some starting points:

There are other sources of data in this international comparison but I think ultimately it's about looking at this graph and figuring out what the biggest policy differences are: Health System Comparison OECD life expectancy vs cost

LesserAbe,

Thanks for the helpful links! Some of the comparison charts are pretty grim for the U.S.

Are you aware of any sources on the ins and outs of public support for universal care when it was being implemented in other countries, or the political climate? I think knowing the destination is one thing, but getting there is more what I was focused on when talking about a pathway.

fiat_lux,

I guess that's sort of the problem here, I want to but this is not my area of expertise and it happened in my country too long ago for me to tell you much first or second-hand about specific events. Wikipedia is already a far better source for social context info on the events than most people will ever be, because for most places it was so long ago. That's why I think it's important to directly ask the historians / data analysts of the other countries, and the experts in comparative global health policy exactly the same question.

You have asked a really good question and you need good answers from people who really know the topic well.

kusivittula, in What do you like about the vehicle you drive and would you have changed anythin about it?

a cheap e-fatbike. it’s almost free to ride and it has a decent range of about 30 km without pedaling so it gets me anywhere i need to go. i regret that i didn’t get one that has studded tires available, riding on ice is scary (finland). it also squeaks on bumpy roads like an old bed…

residentmarchant,

I’m imagining you grinning ear to ear while bouncing up and down on a shitty road and the only soundtrack is squeak squeak squeak squeak

Redditgee, in What is the most promising pathway to reach universal healthcare?

Gotta convince the voters around you. Talk to your coworkers, friends, etc. Be prepared to receive pushback, and a lot of ignorance, but occasionally, people that are trying to zoom out on the problems they’re seeing. I used to lean pretty right, but it wasn’t the Michael Moore types that brought me around; it was the Bertrand Russell types. People are plenty smart, but often need help connecting the dots. If you are condescending, you’ll get resistance. If you show them the right direction, they’ll find their own path, naturally.

FReddit, in What do you like about the vehicle you drive and would you have changed anythin about it?

I have a 2017 Mazda3, currently 35,000 miles. I live in a small town and have worked out of my house for over 10 years.

I drive maybe 3 miles a week on average.

My transportation also includes feet and a mountain bike geared for … Mountains.

I’d like to take longer car trips, but I’m too busy working for a living.

Siddhartha-Aurelius, in How do you spend your idle time?

I am trying to reduce distractions and be more mindful of my surroundings. The sights, smells, and sounds of everything around me and my existence as part of it all.

It is still new to me and I find myself unconsciously getting my phone from my pocket and scrolling because it is boring. However, the effects I feel like reduced anxiety and depression are worth it. I also get to see things that I would miss if I were distracted by electronics.

Maybe practicing mindfulness could be beneficial for you as well.

HootinNHollerin, in What are your favorite names?
@HootinNHollerin@sh.itjust.works avatar

Seven, but you can have Soda

TenderfootGungi, in What is the most promising pathway to reach universal healthcare?

Expand Medicare. It is already in place.

ricecake, in What do you like about the vehicle you drive and would you have changed anythin about it?

I have an escape plug in hybrid. I get about 40 miles all electric, and about 500 miles on gas. I just took a camping trip where I towed a trailer, so my average mpg is down to about 50. Normally it rides around 70-80, since most days I drive less than 40 miles.

I like my fuel efficiency, and that I can plug it in to charge. I wish I had a little more cargo space, since I’m just shy of “project” capacity, and more “flat pack furniture”. I dislike that the towing capacity is low, since the hybrid drivetrain is more complex, and the car just weighs more, so I can only tow about 1500 lbs, which limits your choices for campers and such.

I originally started the buying process because I needed a new car, and I had a three hour round trip commute. Now I’m working from home, and it’s even better because I basically never use gas, but haven’t sacrificed range. Only my poor, beleaguered bank account. Which I don’t regret.

moistclump,

Thanks for the insights, all good to know!

ranok,

Almost the same, but the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid. 50mi electric range, AWD, we almost never have to fill it and there’s free slow chargers in our town!

the_q, in What is the most promising pathway to reach universal healthcare?

Removing the 37 middle men between the docs and the patients would be a good start.

NikkiNikkiNikki, in What do you like about the vehicle you drive and would you have changed anythin about it?
@NikkiNikkiNikki@kbin.social avatar

1999 Subaru Forestur

Pros - it runs

Cons - barely

RisingSwell,

In a similar vein, 2000 Ford falcon

Pros: runs

Cons: runs too well, in fact it doesn’t turn off.

ShadowCatEXE, in What are some must-haves on your Halloween music playlist?
@ShadowCatEXE@lemmy.world avatar

If you’re a Metal fan, Halloweentown by Dark Divine is a really good song.

ch00f, (edited ) in What cheap tool/gadget do you use that greatly improves your daily life?

Magnetic soap holder.

You shove a little metal bit into your soap bar, and the bar dangles from a magnet on a stand that holds it over the sink.

Soap dries quickly, no scum in the soap dish, any drippage falls right into the sink.

Only downside is the magnet falls out when the bar gets smaller, so you have to mash the old bar into the bottom of the new one to keep from wasting it.

bakachu,

I’ve never heard of this witchcraft. This is exactly what I need.

Edit: heard not beard

guyrocket,
@guyrocket@kbin.social avatar

Yes beard, not not beard.

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