Health Care Reform

it’s a life and death issue…

i can’t understand why this is considered socialist, nazi, marxist, etc.

aren’t american education, fire, police, library systems etc. all government run?  so why is it socialist if the health care system falls under the same governance?

the united states is faced with a health care system that costs twice as much as it does anywhere else in the world.  there are tens of millions without health care insurance.  i guess if those who opposed universal health care went without insurance they may understand the need for such a system, and their roars of disapproval might be silenced.

why is there so much opposition to health care reform in a country that so baly needs it?

measures of success:

life expectancy is a basic measure of the quality of health care. in the u.s, a citizen will live 77.8 years on average. infant mortality is also a vital indicator of health care. In the United States, 6.37 infants die out of every 1,000.

let’s look at some case studies:

1.  japan’s semi-socialistic medical system

focus on preventative care: in the japanese health care system, healthcare services, including screening examinations for particular diseases at no direct cost to the patient, prenatal care, and infectious disease control, are provided by national and local governments. Payment for personal medical services is offered through a universal health care insurance system that provides relative equality of access, with fees set by a government committee. People without insurance through employers can participate in a national health insurance program administered by local governments. Since 1983[1], all elderly persons have been covered by government-sponsored insurance. Patients are free to select physicians or facilities of their choice.

• japan has the longest lived citizens 82.12 years old vs. u.s 77.8 years
• japan is ranked amongst the lowest for infant mortality rates in the world 3.2 out of a 1,000 vs. u.s @ 6.37 per 1,000

2.  canada

health care in canada is delivered through a publicly-funded health care system, which is mostly free at the point of use and has most services provided by private entities.

• canadians live 2.5 years longer than the average american (80.4 years)
• canadian infant mortality rate is 5.4 out of a 1,000 vs. u.s @ 6.37 per 1,000
• canadians spend about 10 per cent of GDP on health whereas americans spend 16 per cent to achieve inferior results on life expectancy and infant mortality

3.  united kingdom

national health service: there is no discrimination when a patient resident in one country of the united kingdom requires treatment in another. The consequent financial matters and paperwork of such inter-working are dealt with between the organisations involved and there is generally no personal involvement by the patient comparable to that which might occur when a resident of one european union member country receives treatment in another.

• uk infant mortality rate is 4.8 out of 1000 vs. u.s @ 6.37 per 1,000
• life expectancy 79.01 years old vs. u.s 77.8 years

* sources: wikipedia; cia world factbook