They came in their thousands, queuing through the night to secure one of the coveted wristbands offering entry into a strange parallel universe where medical care is a free and basic right and not an expensive luxury. Some of these Americans had walked Full Story »
Posted by Derek Hawkins - via Drudge Report
what's most important here is the story itself which most americans are unaware of; there are other public clinics like this including one recently held in southwest virginia. the comparison of statistics here between the u.s. and the u.k. is also important here and provides some added context.
I heard a radio report on this clinic. They said they turned away almost as many people as they treated. One doctor compared it to clinics she's done in rural India. The radio reporter noted that many of the patients had insurance, but couldn't afford the deductibles. Just as this piece notes that many are employed. Both pieces interviewed patients to tell their sorry story.
I was at a healthcare forum yesterday. The man next to me said he recently got pneumonia while visiting the U.K. He received prompt, thorough treatment for almost nothing. In fact, the treatment he received was much more comprehensive than what they did for my insured housemate in the U.S. When he offered his U.S. insurance card, the U.K. clinic said that, since the visitor was over 60, it was covered--even though he wasn't a resident. And the clinic offered him bus fare back to ... More »
This story is apparently an eye-opener for its intended (British) audience, who seem to think it amazing just how bad we Americans have it on the health care front.
The comments were interesting. Many of them were from American "birthers" including some who seem to feel Fox is the only trustworthy news source. Sad to see our country shown this way to our allies, but what can you do?
Very descriptive. As the author juggles very well with the facts to pinpoint the meanings of rights-based approaches to move health-care reforms and legislations beyond putative entitlements. How far will they succeed? In a way his article pushes the boundaries to catch the ironic nature and political games that are so well turned around by vested interests in the US within the health care 'Industry'.
To me this story presents compelling evidence about why the US needs a government run program--"socialized medicine" the republicons call it.
“You’d think, with the money in this country, that we’d be able to look after people’s health properly,” she said. “But the truth is ... More »
This is a misleading article. A large response to free medical services does not in and of itself indicate a U.S. health insurance problem. The article does not analyze who the responders were nor if the services they were availing are typically part of health insurance plans . While few have read the thousand page bills making their way through congress, the likelihood that they will include comprehensive dental and vision care for US citizens (not to mention non citizens) is small. The 50 million uninsured number is not sourced and is likely significantly inflated, after non citizens and others who actually do have access to health servicess are excluded . The data on health spending U.S. vs Britain is dubious. Health ... More »
I am in favor of humane health services for all individuals of our entire globe. Getting from where we are to that utopia will require accurate information that is relevant to the problem. Once we have a clear picture of the full scope of the challenge, we can then assess our next best step toward that goal. Reiterated improvements follow.
Embarrasing fact America can not conceal there are some violent oppositions " Great spirit often encounter violent oposition from mediocre mind " Albert Einstain
The British have had national for 66 years. They did not go broke. Still solvent last I heard. If the system was a problem, as the right claims, with long lines, death commities and such, one might think they would have voted to return to private insurance to protect there health. Not so far. 66 years.
Although the information in the article was obviously pro public option, the information was correct with statitics from the World Health Orgainzation.
I personally am in favor of medical care for everyone, and I do not understand why it would be in the best interests of anyone to have either a insurance company or the government tell my doctors what is best for me.
This is a UK media source, and it's able to be objective about the sad state of health care in this country. Why we can't be honest about ourselves is puzzling to me.
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