How can we justify free medical care for inmates at the expense of taxpayers when we have families going bankrupt over medical bills?

I cannot justify people suffering and worrying about losing everything over medical costs while people who kill, rape, molest, and are violent receive free medical treatment. I’d rather our tax dollars take care of people who don’t do heinous things to others. As far as I’m concerned, let their damn families pay for their healthcare. Otherwise take donations. I work in a prison. I know what these scumbags do. I know how they are. 

I‘m not trying to be argumentative. I have strong feelings in this. We crap on honest and good citizens while taking care of scum who harm others. We can agree to disagree. I just wanted to give my side. Thanks for your reply and voicing your stance. This post was edited by Rizz at September 8, 2018 9:10 PM MDT

If this makes me cold, so be it. I can’t make a strong case against it. It’s how I feel. 

I'm not saying you're cold and I do understand how you feel.  However, the other side of your coin, which is also my view, is that everyone should have health care.  No one should lose their home or not be treated for an illness because they can't afford it.  

I know and understand what you’re saying. No, you never stated, hinted, or conveyed I’m cold for my beliefs. Those were my words and no one esle’s. I do see we agree no one should never be in financial ruin because of healthcare. I enjoy civil discussions like this. Neither of us has been rude or out of line. We’ve both been respectful and receptive to each other. A welcome change in life. =) Thank you for the civil exchange of beliefs. I appreciate it. This post was edited by Rizz at September 8, 2018 9:11 PM MDT

Thank you.  I am always more than happy to engage in our civil discussions.  We have a couple of differences of opinion, but I think we are more closely aligned than different.  I'm sure that your experiences being around these dregs of society on a daily basis is much more vivid than what I read about in the newspapers or see on the news.  I'm not sure I could do what you do simply because it would be almost impossible not to show my disdain for them.  I am truly grateful for you and people like you who are willing to do this job.

Thank you for your kind words and respect. At first it was difficult to hide my disdain for them. I grew as a person. I never take or make anything personal with them. As long as they’re respectful I’m respectful. If they give me attitude or disrespect they’re given the same treatment. I remind them I always win. I’m firm, fair, and consistent. I’m the same way every day. I withhold my contempt for them and their existence in check and hidden. I don’t play favorites. I’m always honest. If they have something coming to them I make sure they receive it. If they don’t have it coming I tell them up front. After 16 years I have earned respect from staff and inmates alIke. I simply do my job. I don’t harass them. I don’t bring personal problems to work or take them out on them. I don’t target specific inmates. If they have my undivided attention they’ve earned it. When I search their cells and property I’m respectful in handling it. I don’t throw their belongings all over the place. I leave their cells as in tact and clean as possible after searching. These little things earn respect. They honestly don’t have a clue how much contempt I have for them.

It’s about professionalism, doing my job properly, and take pride in it.

I suspect most people don't think of Correction Officer as a "profession." but they would be wrong.  I applaud you for being able to treat people this way and, because you do, you have the right to expect the same in return.  

I know where you are coming from and I understand your point of view.  If it was up to me, I would outsource incarceration for the worst offenders and the recidivists and let them languish in a foreign prison for the rest of their lives.  They are the most despicable people.  

Having said that, there is no reason why we shouldn't be pushing for health/dental care for all the rest of us who can't afford decent care.  The fact that we take care of inmates completely is not the reason the rest don't have these benefits.  It is a lack of care on the part of our elected officials to make meaningful inroads towards universal health care.

I do know our healthcare system is broken in the United States Of America. I wish I knew the best answers to solve the problems. I’m not totally convinced on universal healthcare. This hesitation stems from the p*** poor record of our government and its poor track record on virtually screwing up everything they force themselves into. Until our politicians change their track record, improve this country, and earn my trust, I have no faith in their ability to properly, efficiently, and effectively handle our healthcare. Changes to our current systems must be made. I’m not informed, nor educated enough in healthcare and its costs to recommend suggestions for improvements. 

I suppose we start with haulting all lobbying by pharmaceutical companies. I’m also for legalization and regulation of, including taxing marijuana. Marijuana has been proven to benefit and help many people with health illnesses and issuesl including mental health. This won’t happen because too many politicians would lose dirty money in their pockets from big pharm. This post was edited by Rizz at September 8, 2018 9:14 PM MDT

I know that it is out of the question for some politicians to even think about, let alone do something about, but Medicare seems to work pretty well in spite of it being a government program.  I'm sure it isn't perfect, but it would be a good place to start since it has been in place for such a long time.  Unlike private health insurance, what it covers is pretty standard.  With private health plans, the insurance company can decide to reject a claim, even if it's something that should be covered.  When we were negotiating with a health care company for our law firm, they asked what percentage of claims did we want rejected out of hand.  That meant that the insurance company would automatically reject that percentage.  Of course, the insured has the right to appeal and on appeal, if it's something that should have been covered, it gets paid.  How many people just let it go and pay the health care provider themselves rather than argue with the insurance company?  

I think all lobbying should be done away with.  Big corporations and pharmaceutical companies have way too much sway over what our politicians do.  Medicare is the largest user of pharmaceuticals, yet the Congress has mandated that it cannot negotiate drug prices.  The VA negotiates separately and their drug costs are minuscule by comparison.  Unfortunately, not all of us are veterans.  I take a medication that costs almost $500 a month if I fill it at Walgreen's.  I have been buying that same medication, manufactured by the same drug company in their facility in Puerto Rico, through an online Canadian pharmacy and the cost is $375 for THREE months.  Tell me there's not something wrong with that scenario.  

You're 100% right about politicians not being able to pocket the dirty money.  Not only that, when their terms are up, they know there will be lucrative lobbying jobs waiting for them.  And we think other countries are corrupt.

Thank you for your reply and stance. I’m sure you read above and know what my stances are. No need to retype them or to come across as arguing. Perhaps my views differ because of my job, the environment I work in, what I deal with, and what I see in front of me. This post was edited by Rizz at September 8, 2018 9:20 PM MDT

Whether it’s right or wrong, I have little to no compassion for people who do horrible things to others. I had to add that. 

An Asker's pick answer I think we have here....:)

Excellent answer.

The best ever.   :) 

I gave my reason for hesitation about letting my country’s government have control over our healthcare. 

Doesn't wash, we have private health insurance in Australia too. Allows your choice of hospital, doctor etc and no long waits for surgery for non-life-threatening conditions. I couldn't afford that AND a mortgage, so I had to wait years for a discectomy and fusion - in the US I'd STILL be waiting, or more likely would have suicided.
In the tax-funded system, there are queues, no private rooms and you get the surgeon whom the hospital employs - competent, even highly skilled, but not your choice. The dude who did mine was a genius but according to the interns I chatted with, he's a complete b@$tard to work for. That's better than no system at all.

We can agree to disagree. I don’t have faith in my government and politicians. The track record for my government and our politicians is terrible. At this time I don’t want my life in their hands. 

The politicians wrangle about who pays for it and how much (currently levied on income tax at 1.5%), but they don't run the system. The career civil servants do that, our Medicare is very similar to Britain's National Health Service. Stephen Hawking credited his longevity on the NHS - "Had I been American, I'd have been dead for decades by now" (he said that ten years before his passing). You're simply putting your life in the hands of public hospital staff, and if they want students to observe, you get observed.
Life-threatening conditions get seen to immediately, I was rushed to hospital two says ago with a suspected heart attack. Turned out to be mucular spasms in the left pec and shoulder, but they were taking no chances.

I‘m glad it works in other countries. Our government seizes as much control of and power over everything it can. I have absolutely no faith healthcare would be any different. We can agree to disagree. We have a federal law mandating hospitals cannot turn away anyone for any reason. You can seek treatment, but will have to pay ridiculous prices. 

Another reason I’m currently against it is because we do a p*** poor job of enforcing immigration laws. I do NOT want our tax dollars paying for healthcare for people here illegally. It happens at some extent now. Until we secure our borders and fix our illegal immigration crisis I’m firmly against it. Especially with the far left who who establish sanctuary cities, give welfare, and other handouts to illegals. 

This is the last I will say. I respect your views and thank you for replies and comments. We will have to agree to disagree. This post was edited by Rizz at September 8, 2018 9:15 PM MDT