thought on socialized medicine written between the 4th of July and Bastille Day

[bitterfig]

            Why it is that spending money I don’t have always makes me feel so much better about all things?

On Saturday I finally rode down to Chicago Comics and picked up issue #4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and volume 7 of the digest sized editions of Runaways both of which I have already devoured.  I really can’t afford to be

Comments

[bitterfig]

I do think Michael Moore painted an overly sunny picture of other nations healthcare systems. I listed to an episode of the National Public Radio program Fresh Air yesterday that went into it in greater depth. Unfortunately it looks like the solution to the problem of healthcare isn't as simple as emulating other nations.

[som_o]

I haven't seen the film, but several European countries are also busily dismantling the remnants of the welfare state and the forms of health care that are still available. It's just that they can't do it all at once. Also, health care in Europe is not "free" - a family might spend thousands of Euros a month for health insurance. That said, I also remember how shocked I was when I first came to the u.s. and heard an American recount the tale of 'how great it was to break his arm in Europe' (bc they actually treated him at the hospital and for free). I didn't get it, just thought how terrible it was that he'd broken his arm

[bitterfig]

From comments I've received from people who live outside of the US it does seem that Sicko glossed over quite a bit about the health care systems of other nations showing them in a wholly positive light. It definately seems that health care troubles aren't limited to the US but for a country with our wealth and resources it does seem like America ought to be in the forefront of reform and improvement which we are very definately not. Also I think America's private HMOs, which earn money by not paying for treatment, make the situation here particularly bad.

[grave_alice]

I completely agree.
*That* is how you celebrate the fourth of July. Let’s hear it for inalienable rights.

[bitterfig]

Seeing Sicko really did seem like a good way to mark the 4th of July. My model of a patriot is someone like Michael Moore who looks at things and tries to make them better for everyone instead of keeping his mouth shut and accepting a bad or just looking out for himself.