![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
A stealth reason for universal health care
Jun. 4th, 2012 03:19 pmI don't know if I've ever seen this discussed, but I think it's important.
Right now, most cans have BPA in them - a film used to keep the cans from corroding. This is a known dangerous chemical, but of course, the risks are unproven and the fix would be far too expensive - or so the industry claims, just as they do every time there's a major call for regulation, and they're probably wrong again, just as they always are.
(The fact of the matter is, once there's a need for BPA free cans, there'll be big money chasing that solution, and big money in finding the best, cheapest solution. Until then, saying it'll cost too much is ridiculous.)
Right now, there are concerns about fracking, and the safety of those whose water (and land and air) may end up contaminated.
There are public health questions about food and the safety of food and the need for food inspections and tracking.
And there are more. These are just what a tired person can throw out in a single afternoon.
Right now, each of those things will end up falling on single individuals. If BPA harms your health, you'll pay for it. If you live near a site polluted by fracking (technically, probably polluted by fracking with insufficient planning and engineering), it's on you to move, or deal with the health risks, until there's some proof that the fracking company is responsible (and then, they'll kick and scream and drag their feet, and probably not do enough). If you get sick from food, you'll be the one with food poisoning - and possibly fighting off a massively resistant superbug (so if you like rare meat, remember that this is really important!).
But if we had universal health care, there would be someone who would be upset about this.
(What, you think someone will be upset with this because people get hurt? Well - okay, you're right, *someone* will be. But no one in power will listen quickly enough when all the money and power is on the side of denial.)
Whether it's the insurance companies who see profits being lost, or government officials swearing we can save billions in health care costs by spending millions in regulation, someone with money and power will care.
Right now, most cans have BPA in them - a film used to keep the cans from corroding. This is a known dangerous chemical, but of course, the risks are unproven and the fix would be far too expensive - or so the industry claims, just as they do every time there's a major call for regulation, and they're probably wrong again, just as they always are.
(The fact of the matter is, once there's a need for BPA free cans, there'll be big money chasing that solution, and big money in finding the best, cheapest solution. Until then, saying it'll cost too much is ridiculous.)
Right now, there are concerns about fracking, and the safety of those whose water (and land and air) may end up contaminated.
There are public health questions about food and the safety of food and the need for food inspections and tracking.
And there are more. These are just what a tired person can throw out in a single afternoon.
Right now, each of those things will end up falling on single individuals. If BPA harms your health, you'll pay for it. If you live near a site polluted by fracking (technically, probably polluted by fracking with insufficient planning and engineering), it's on you to move, or deal with the health risks, until there's some proof that the fracking company is responsible (and then, they'll kick and scream and drag their feet, and probably not do enough). If you get sick from food, you'll be the one with food poisoning - and possibly fighting off a massively resistant superbug (so if you like rare meat, remember that this is really important!).
But if we had universal health care, there would be someone who would be upset about this.
(What, you think someone will be upset with this because people get hurt? Well - okay, you're right, *someone* will be. But no one in power will listen quickly enough when all the money and power is on the side of denial.)
Whether it's the insurance companies who see profits being lost, or government officials swearing we can save billions in health care costs by spending millions in regulation, someone with money and power will care.
