1. There is no "free" healthcare. The idea of taking money from the 1% and investors will mean they will not invest in our country and they will take their money to other more profitable ventures, like they flocked to take jobs to more profitable places. The cause effect of that would mean fewer jobs, so less taxes coming in to pay for the new health care plan, leading to more tax burden on more people who work.

 

2. With people living longer but with growing numbers of illnesses like Alzheimer's and other diseases that are not deadly but require long term treatment, the cost of care will continue to increase. (do we really want to hear all the GOP death panel panic again?)

 

3. Government-controlled health care would lead to a decrease in patient flexibility, which is already a problem for certain doctors and in certain regions.

 

4. People are likely to increase their "need" for drug and doctor visits if health care is "free", or people figuring, hey I pay taxes for it now; thus, total costs will be several times what they are now.

 

5. Government-mandated procedures will reduce doctor flexibility and lead to less or even poor patient care.

 

6. People who take care of themselves will have to pay for the burden of those who smoke, drink, drugs, obesity, or take part in risky activities for personal interests ie, skateboarding, skiing, rock climbing etc..

 

7. In an effort to cut costs, price & salary controls on drugs, medical equipment, and medical services are likely to be put in place, meaning there is less incentive to pursue medical-related research, development, and investment, nor pursue medical careers in general.

 

8. The transition will be complicated, involving lost insurance industry jobs, business closures, and new patient record creation.

 

9. Loss of private practice options and possible reduced pay may dissuade many would-be doctors from pursuing the profession- ie the problem in the VA with the lack of doctors.

 

10. Malpractice lawsuit costs, which are already sky-high, could further explode since universal care may expose the government to legal liability, which tax payers would have to pay for.

 

11. Patient confidentiality is likely to be compromised since centralized health information will likely be maintained by the government. (Snowden people, this should be like a fire alarm for you)

 

12. Health care equipment, drugs, and services may end up being rationed by the government. In other words, politics, lifestyle of patients, and philosophical differences of those in power, could determine who gets what.

 

13. Considering that elections cycle and control shifts in different times this could be very concerning in light of long term future thinking.

 

14. Patients may be subjected to extremely long waits for treatment.

 

15. Nurses would face wage decreases and potentially leave the field or not go into the field at all. This is a huge concern while there is already a nursing shortage.

 

16. Hospitals consolidation is already a problem, but closing facilities could lead to no access for some people.

 

17. Having to travel far distances to get to emergency rooms could lead to greater risk of death during long ambulance rides.

 

18. Hiring for non medical staff could be cut from hospitals such as janitorial and dietary, leading to less cleanliness while there are already high incidences of bacteria and dangers during hospitals stays.

 

19. Less non medical staff could lead to more responsibility and stresses put on nurses and aides.

 

20. Decisions to admit patients to hospitals could be based on cost instead of patient health concerns.

 

21. Then one that I can just hear Trump going on about is the issue of illegal immigrants and the cost of giving them medical care. It is actually likely they might not feel safe to go get care since it hospitals could be viewed as government facilities. This could end up being a disaster for numerous reasons.

 

22. BUT THE BIG ONE, is abortion, contraception and womens health. I really dont think that one needs to have any commentary because we all SHOULD know where this one leads to, or do we?