From a foreigners point of view, it is very hard to understand how a civilised country such as the USA, which claims to be a model for which all other nations should aspire and which claims to be religious, can deny its citizens the basic right to health care. It is cruel and impassionate.
In Australia, we have the Medicare system. Taxpayers pay a levy giving them cover for basic care. The unemployed and those on a pension receive a health care card that enables them to receive extra subsidies. When I go to the doctor’s, part of the fee is paid by Medicare. If I were on a health care card the appointment would be bulkbilled so I would pay nothing. Recently, my son spent five days in hospital: the only expense to me being exorbitant parking and loss of wages for being at my son’s bedside. The health care provide to my son was excellent. Thank god I live in Australia, otherwise this stay would have cost me thousands of dollars.
Our system is not perfect. There are waiting lists for elective surgery. As a taxpayer I am happy to pay for Medicare as it gives me peace of mind that in an emergency my family will receive medical care. It also gives me peace of mind that others in need will receive that care.
We are an evolved species. We are not barbarians that invoke survival of the fittest, dog eat dog tests. A society is seriously sick when it proclaims the right to bear arms but denies the poor access to health care. Obamacare is a step in the right direction. To all those that oppose this measure and hope it will be revoked, consider this. How can people work to the best of their ability if they are ill? Your economy cannot possibly function to full capacity. Your reserve labour (the unemployed) needs to be fit and healthy so when the boom comes the economic can grow efficiently. You may be lucky at present to have employment and have medical insurance benefits. In Australia, many large companies have gone belly up over the last year and well-known brand names worldwide are also in peril. Your job is not secure so your health insurance is not secure. Socialise health care and get the hearts of all beating well again.
Image Credit
Recent Amanda Makrides Articles:
- Cut Waste, Save the World. Part 1: Fridge Audit
- Blow the Whistle
- Watching The Clock
- What the World Needs Now
- If It’s Too Good To Be True…
In my opinion, the biggest problem for the wholesale adoption of socialized medicine in the United States is because it is such a consumer culture, which has ingrained the belief that if you pay for it, it is worth more.
However, there are some industries where paying more doesn’t make it better.
I do not believe that a for-pay medical system and corporately owned hospitals can ever work in the best interest of their patients because of the simple fact that *businesses are legally obligated to make a profit*. This leads hospitals to prescribe the care that they need to cover their operational costs rather than what is best for their patient.
These two factors are in a conflict of interest and potentially explains why the U.S. spends so much on its health care while getting such limited results. For such a great country to have such mediocre medicine to a tragedy.
So happy you in Australia think you have a fine healthcare system, but please do not fan the flames of American Healthcare debate, when you are not in possession of all the facts. Most obviously – healthcare is not denied anyone – even those residing here who are not citizens.
Retired Americans use our Medicare, the poorest have Medicaid. Middle American, the largest, working class, is in need of healthcare overhaul.
I and many, want affordable healthcare. Socialization? No.
I encourage you to watch this http://www.sbs.com.au/dateline/story/about/id/601491/n/America-s-Shame