Also, I have lived in Germany and Italy so I have experienced other systems. They have problems, we have problems, but I certainly agree that ensuring everyone has access to some basic level of care is wise, both morally and economically.

Peace.

I just found this July 13th article at MarketWatch:
Americans rate U.S. health-care system lowest among 10 nations
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/americans-rate-us-health-care-system/story.aspx?guid=%7B86F29D04%2DFC2D%2D466F%2DADF6%2D2435468CE406%7D

It’s an interesting read. It looks like the Dutch model would the smartest to follow.

Ron-I brought up Australia because you were making broad exaggerations when it came to countries with National Healthcare so I just wanted to point out my experiences with it. I think waiting times can be an issue but in Australia you can take out very reasonably priced private insurance if you wish which will cut down wait times for non-life threatening procedures. By having private insurance you also don’t have to pay the Medicare levy surcharge.

Frugalicious- The point of National Healthcare is that EVERYONE is covered so it doesn’t matter if you have a “pre-existing” condition.

Alex- You’re pretty much saying that those who get cancer and are treated in a national healthcare system all die. I think we would be reading something about that if it were true Since being in Australia we have had five friends and relatives diagnosed with cancer, all of which have survived due to excellent treatment. My partner’s uncle had stage III colon cancer, received radiation and chemotherapy and is still alive 5 years later. He didn’t have private insurance and he didn’t have to wait for either his chemo or radiation.

I agree with Richard that too many Americans who have never even experienced socialized healthcare are too quick to condemn it. I also agree that the US should take the best parts of socialized medicine and emulate it. Everyone should have access to free or affordable healthcare.

There is never going to be a perfect solution to the healthcare problem. We are going to have to look at our current system with its problems and other systems with their problems and try to find some middle ground. We definately are not going to solve it by ruling out of hand these other systems we are not really familiar with. Undoubtedly, they have their good and bad features just like our system. Why can’t we see if we can adopt some of the good features from both and merge them into a better system for ourselves. The negativity I see on this site about foriegn systems appalls me; it’s as if they have no redeeming features at all and should be avoided like the plague. Thinking, intelligent human being don’t act like that: not if the their intention is to ultimately craft the best solution possible. Please go slow in critizing something out of had with which you have little more than anacdotal evidence. It immediately curtails an intelligent and unprejidiced dialogue on the issue.

If government healthcare is so evil, why does most of the Western world use it? Most of what I have read says it costs far less then our current system.

Regardless of who wins this election, healthcare reform will have to pass Congress and in the end will look far different then anything Obama or McCain are currently offering.

Yes, and yes.

The broken arm was a bit of an exaggeration, but the kidney surgery and heart surgery were not. Look at our VA, look at the ridiculous wait times in Canada or England. I’ve known several people who had relatives die while waiting for simple surgeries in Canada.

Granted, we don’t have a truly “free” market for healthcare in the US, but I’d 10,000 times rather get sick here than in any other place on earth. Australia would be my second choice though.

But we aren’t talking about Australia, we’re talking about the US and you know they won’t emulate our friends down under when they get their hands on 18% of the US economy. It will be an utter fiasco. Medicare? Gimme a break. You STILL need more insurance, and nationalizing healthcare won’t make the care you receive any better. The VA? HA! It’s a third world country through those doors.

Do we want things to be better? Define what “better” is first. Is it that ALL people get first rate care? Won’t happen under a nationalized system. We can’t even secure our borders, much less fix the intricacies of 300 million people needing healthcare. Is “better” just giving adequate care to everyone? That’s the more likely conclusion.

If, instead of nationalizing the system, we were to buy a simple BCBS policy for each person in the US for about $3,000 each or less (it’s a large group, no?), we would save trillions over the fiasco that will be Barrack “The Drama” Obama’s plan. Wait. Does he even have a plan or is it the same old tired thing drummed up from a previous administration?

It’s all about buying votes, plain and simple. It really has nothing to do with healthcare.

Great post JLP!