Comments on: Healthcare costs to become new battle cry

By: Obi Jo

Obi Jo — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:42:35 +0000

John, thanks for the comment. To suggest that India has in some way, a model health care system, is, well, hard to fathom. Mother Theresa of Calcutta became famous caring for the dying outcasts of Indian society who had no treatment of any kind at all. Not even an emergency room that has to take all comers regardless of ability to pay . . . as we do here in the United States. Unfortunately, it would appear that many are “drinking the koolaid” that is being dished out by this administration on health care. There is a health insurance problem which has been building for some time. However, when one looks at the causes of this, in many cases, the fault lies at the feet of politicians who continually substitute rhetoric and political posturing for common sense regulation and reform that is consistent with American ideals and principles. Sorry, I think most citizens of the sub-continent would be very happy to have American medicine . . . perhaps that is why so many of their physicians work here, in America and not in India.

By: John Ballard

John Ballard — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:23:31 +0000

So the US is to big and complicated to have a system like the UK.

How about India? As the world’s largest democracy, more people actually voted in their last election than the entire populations of the US, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. That’s a lot.

I asked the Indian attendant at the convenience food store who is from india about health care in his country. He said it was good. But what about doctors, I asked. Are there enough? Sure, he said, ticking off the stats that India has more doctors, engineers, scientists and other specialists than any other country. But what about the poor people? Do they get medical care? Of course, he said. There are plenty of places they can go.

Well who pays for medical care? It depends on who you are, he said. Those who work for the government have a separate system of pay. But there are lots of different insurance plans for those outside of government.

But what about those who cannot afford insurance? Well, they don’t pay. If you cannot afford to pay,l then there is no charge.

I could see he was not an expert, but as a layman he was really mystified bt my questions. The idea that health care would be a problem seemed to be a totally strange concern for him. He’s a healthy young man with a pretty good job in
America while he finishes grad school, working toward a degree in engineering. I guess he hasn’t got sick yet bad enough to find out how the system works here.

Lord, I hope he never does. If he does, he’s in for a rude awakening.

By: Obi Jo

Obi Jo — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:31:03 +0000

Brittancus, thanks for your input. Unfortunately, the comparisons between what was (and you describe it) a relatively homogeneous population in England post-WWII has become increasingly heterogeneous and swelled to nearly 61 million. The comparisons fade when you talk about a nation the size of the United States, with perhaps the most heterogeneous population in the world and total number in excess of 300 million. America does not need to copy the British or Canadian plans. America has its own system. It is flawed, as are the British and Canadian systems. We can build on OUR system and make it better. We agree that insurance reform is the key, but eliminating COMPETITION, the key element that has made American society advance is NOT the way to do it. We seek reform and common sense regulation, read “the plan” and “details of the plan” on this blog. But scuttling the entire system in favor of a nationalized, federally controlled system is NOT the way to go.

By: Brittancus

Brittancus — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 22:44:32 +0000

It is a shame that some Americans are so gullible, to the outlandish propaganda and lies spat in the newspapers, television and radio about Obama’s health care agenda. They have demonized the British, Canadian and other worthy plans. Hidden under a disguise cover, these radical entities are determined to keep the special interest organizations in absolute power. Comprising of the money-draining profitable insurance companies and their rich stockholders. They don’t want any changes to the broken system of medical care, because it will hurt the status quo. I was born in England, in the county of Sussex and until the inception of the European Union and the European Parliament dictating to Britain. That they must accept millions of foreign workers, the nations medical system was exemplary. I never had to wonder if I would have to file bankruptcy, to pay my medical bills, or listen to the incessant ring of debt collectors on the phone.

On several occasions I ended up in the cottage hospital and their was never a cost applied to it, never a ream of paperwork. Incidentally, I choose my own doctor where I Lived. The longest I waited for surgery was three months, as it was not an emergency. No doctor, no hospital or specialist asking me for my Social Security number, drivers license or if I was covered by a predatory for-profit insurer. No premiums, no-cops and pre-existing condition clauses. Yes! Didn’t have a private room, but who cares? Today the British Isles is being submerged under a barrage of legal and illegal immigrants, who have never paid into the system, have caused some rationing. Prior to the importation of foreign labor my trips to doctor, to hospital, the eye or a dentist was paid from my taxation. Unless we pass a national health care agenda, Americans will never know what it’s like to breeze through their lives, without worrying about paying for health care? Tell your Senators and Congressman you want an alternative to the–GET RICH– insurance companies, before a Universal health care is killed. 202-224-312 REMEMBER THE INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS DON’T WANT THEIR PIECE OF THE $$$TRILLION$$$ DOLLAR PIE DISTURBED. EVEN SOME POLITICIANS HAVE THEIR DIRTY FINGERS IN THE PIE?
AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE PRIVATE HEALTH CARE, A GOVERNMENT SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM WILL ASSIST IN REVITALIZING THE WILTING US ECONOMY.