Debatepedia:Sub-debate sections

Uninsured: Do large numbers of uninsured give cause to universal health care?

Yes

• Most uninsured simply can't afford it; it's not a choice Kao-Ping Chua, "Arguments and counterarguments about universal health care". AMSA - "It's the uninsured's fault that they're uninsured. 8 out of 10 of the uninsured work or come from working families. They play by the rules, work hard just like the rest of Americans, and yet they can't get insurance from the employer because it's not offered, or they can't afford it if it is offered. Is that their fault?"

• Universal care would protect doctors/hospitals from free-loaders Uncompensated care is a problem for hospitals and doctors. In a single-payer system, doctors would not be vulnerable to free-loading (as rare as willful free-loading is).

• Universal health care is not welfare; its benefits are diverse/widespread Universal health care is about cutting costs, streamlining patient care, simplifying care, and providing high quality health care to all citizens. The benefits are far too diverse to pigeon-hole universal health care as just "welfare".

No

• If people are uninsured, that's their choice "Against Universal Coverage". National Review Online. June 21, 2007 - "Some people, especially young and healthy people, may choose not to buy health insurance even when it is cheaper[...]So what should the government do about the holdouts? Leave them alone. It’s a free country."

• Many uninsured are lazy free-loaders who don't deserve care Many uninsured are simply lazy, and believe they can get a free ride off of the system. These people do not deserve free, universal care from the system.

• Universal health care would amount to welfare for the uninsured. The government should not create a health care system that is aimed primarily at helping the poor and uninsured. As such, it becomes merely another wealth-transfer program.

• Many uninsured can easily afford it so should not receive sympathy A significant proportion of the uninsured can easily afford insurance. They choose not to get it for reasons other than their means (i.e., their laziness).