Comments on: The Many Myths Of European Health Care

The New Republic: Statistics Show That Arguments Against Universal Coverage Are Weak

[roger3815]

We already have long waits for medical procedures and thats the way the AMA wants to keep it. The less competition you have, the less downward pressure you have on prices. The biggest problem facing Americans in need of medical care isn't access as much as it is greed. I've seen dozens of people (who don't have insurance) walk out of a clinic everyday after learning they'll need to pay the $75 fee up front. I often wonder what they have and how many others will they pass it on to because they couldn't afford treatment. Whether you agree with UHC or not one problem remains clear, our current medical system is broken badly.

[omega39-2009]

Real median household income remained unchanged between 2003 and 2004 at $44,389, according to a report released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Meanwhile, the nation%u2019s official poverty rate rose from 12.5 percent in 2003 to 12.7 percent in 2004. The percentage of the nation%u2019s population without health insurance coverage remained stable, at 15.7 percent in 2004. The number of people with health insurance increased by 2.0 million to 245.3 million between 2003 and 2004, and the number without such coverage rose by 800,000 to 45.8 million.

Source:
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/005647.html

[seer999]

The fact that this author says there are not long waits for health care services in other countries doesn't make it so. The FACT of the matter is that there are long waits in those countries. Ask any physician practicing in the border statses with Canada how many Canadians they see coming to the US for procedures they would have to wait months for in their own SOCIALIZED country. Beware the rhetoric. The truth is in the facts.

[monkfellow]

the"40 million uninsured" is a lie,perpetrated by the socialist health backers in the SPwing of the Demo party.
As most legitimate surveys show,the MAJORITY of those uninsured are in their situation eithe through their own volition, or are without insurance for an average of four months.
As for "expensive" health care in the U.S.,the people's republic of Wisconsin is a good example of how the concept is doomed ..
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110010374
The fact is,yes there are mistakes in health care not only here but across the world.Canada,the holy grail of socialists wanting "universal" health care has had more than its share, and physicians and other health care workers leaving the system to .....MOVE HERE????!!!!! How can this be? That is a violation of the rules of success under socialism.
Actually,I want the socialists to admit their hidden agenda to keep health care costs in line with the Party Line:
+unlimited aborion,and infanticide under physician and beaurocratic direction,as has been documented in European hospitals.
euathanasia at a beaurocratically-determined age.
They won't say it, the mainstream media is in concert with these intents, but they're real and likely if the Demos take power and push thru government-operated health care.

[amlb]

I agree with monkfellow. Google "Europe euthanasia" and you will beastonished at was goes on esp. in the Netherlands. People routinely have their children "put down" like dogs because they aren't in "good enough health". Up to 30% pediatricians have participated in infant euthanization. Several doctors admit to killing children after birth and telling the parents they've died for other reasons. They are also considering having people who reach a certain age be strongly persuaded to go into the suicide clinic to end their existence. (yes, there are plenty of legal suicide clinics) You have to do your research people don't just believe what you hear on the media, get your info from several sources. Ezekial Immanuel- healthcare advisor to Obama is already talking rationing and the value of some people vs. others.

[jmurrieta1]

Not only do those poor Europeans get universal health care, they get 5-6 weeks per year of vacation for R&R.

Fortunately, here in America we don't have such socialist frills! Our people work cradle to grave without a break so the masters can have lots of money! Just imagine how terrible it must be to have all that free time and no worries. We Americans would rather be slaves for the Owners, and call it freedom, than to really have freedom.

[sjc_1]

We have THE most expensive health care and that is a fact. But when it comes to quality health care, we are way down on the list. In business they call this poor value. You pay more, but you get worse quality.

This may be due to the lack of competition in the health care industry. Every person and every company in the supply chain overcharges and it all sums up to way to high a price for what you get. A single payer health insurance system will insure that people and companies do not overcharge, it will NOT be tolerated.

[Ed0719]

f the author likes it so much mabye he should move there. A friend of mine recovering from a major car accident in England. He was infected with a nasty virus that took him months to get over, and he was required to were a mask to prevent him from infecting others when he was in a U.S. hospital.
Posted by ressigmann at 08:00 AM : Jul 29, 2007

You think infections don't occur in US hospitals? That has become a major problem in most US hospitals. People go in for minor problems, but contract a life-threatening infection while in the hospital. A rudimentary Google search on the subject returns a litany of examples.

Face it, we here in the USA like to think we have the best of everything, but we don't. Even some lesser-rated countries have a lower infant mortality and longer average lifespan than do we. Sure, we have great healthcare if you can afford it. But over 40 million Americans CAN'T afford it. You can spout platitudes like "they should work harder", but that doesn't solve the problem. Everyone, EVERYONE, deserves great healthcare. Restricting the ability to live to only those who can afford it is simply cruel and inhumane. Other countries have already proven that universal care can be achieved and actually ends up costing less than what our system does. Unless you like supporting the big pharma and big HMO companies and their excessive "golden parachute" packages for corporate executives.

[i2care4usa]

okay, I am so trying to be nice, but, my comment is this.., your right about "telling" someone if u like it so much move there, well, if you don't like America, then move out! ITS not the other way!!!!

Our health care system, amoung many other things here in America are in America because of people, and not all the people are Americans! Many, many people have died fighting for our rights, our beliefs here in America, DON'T FORGET THAT FIRST! And the way our government is going, taking rights, beliefs, any or all of those out of our system, then why would anyone, any American have faith in our government to oversee our, your health needs? Or better yet, what about the elderly, who have built this country, and still continue to build, what about them? What about our Veterans healthcare? I mean drive downtown any state in America and you will see Veterans on the streets!!! Who put them there? Would you say the government? Yes, I would!!! Why has the government not taken care of our Veterans? And you see what has happened to our Veterans hospital? Do you really want our government that has taken no pride in taking care of our Veterans taking care of you?

So, second, do your research!!! What happens to people, children, infants, of all races, of all backgrounds, in America who do not meet "standard" cancer criteria, or other diseases criteria? Now, 2009, are faced with healthcare drama from doctors, hospitals, clinics and so on, and this is private insurance I remind you that I, you, and others, pay for, What do you THINK is going to happen when the government takes over our healthcare and decides for you? all the while you pay out of your pocket with your paycheck because now its "TAXES", but on top of that you don't get no healthcare because you don't fit into this criteria for this disease!!!! so now you just die? Is this "Inhumane".

So are you willing to die because you can't get health "care"? Because after all you stated, "Everyone, EVERYONE, deserves great healthcare. Restricting the ability to live to only those who can afford it is simply cruel and inhumane." Well, now that everyone can afford it, or atleast the working American who pays with their taxes, is left to die? Or are you the "American" who allows illegals to come over and get "free" healthcare? Free healthcare, free food, free housing, free college, free business loans, free, free, free, because they don't pay taxes, they don't have to pay anything to the government!!! They are from this and there, so hey, lets give them free money, because they are at a disadvantage, because they are not American? So all the Americans have to suffer, to help non-Americans? Because that is what is happening!!!!

So before you want to correct our damaged America, lets first get back to the basics, because that is really what this boils down to, right? If we didn't allow free healthcare, food, housing, college, loans, so "FREELY" then we would NOT have to fix most things in America. And yes, I can face it, there is no better place than America! Because where else can you voice your opinion? Not anywhere else!!!

and if most people would stop pointing the finger, and look at the four pointing back to them, fix their problems first before tying to fix someone else! or something else!

or if you are worried about infections in the US hospitals, did you think of the source? Have you taken a look at the ER rooms across America? I have! Are the people in the ERs really there for an EMerGENCY? NO! over 50% of ER rooms are NON-Americans!!!! Why? BECAUSE we have allowed it!!!! They don't have to pay!!! WE DO!!! not with just money, with infections, that you have so referred to!!!

So in closing, if people are so bashing America, and are so demanding to change this and that about America, then move, leave, because I promise, no I can guarantee you, that you WILL learn what ever, where ever, their lanuage first, and NOT the other way around!!!!! I love America and apprecate all that has died for America!!!

[ressigmann]

If the author likes it so much mabye he should move there. A friend of mine recovering from a major car accident in England. He was infected with a nasty virus that took him months to get over, and he was required to were a mask to prevent him from infecting others when he was in a U.S. hospital.