Universal Healthcare

I GUESS the key here is routine. It amazes me after having lived in Great Britain for so long, even with all the complaints off the National Health Service (NHS), how much better off the British are to the Americans in regards to healthcare. Ok, the British system is not exactly superb. For example, I would not recommend seeing a dentist (sorry guys). Although, I can honestly say all other treatments I have gone in for - including minor surgery, a broken rib cage and suspected swine flu - have been absolutely wonderful. The wait has never been too gruelling, the doctors have been efficient and attentive, and the costs.. well, let’s just say I suffer from a bit of guilt.

What some “Yanks” don’t get is that here in Britain you can choose between private healthcare and the NHS. Yes, that’s right, private insurers still exist for those who opt for the royal treatment. Now, that doesn’t mean the NHS abandons you – any citizen who has gone private (or even any foreigner visiting the country) can walk into an NHS centre and pay the same, minimal costs to the generous British government. The beauty of having universal healthcare means everyone is covered.

Now, let’s get one thing straight. I am not advocating replacing our American system, consisting mostly of private insurers, with a complete replica of that offered in Great Britain. But I think we need to recognise there is something wrong with a system that does not offer healthcare coverage for nearly 50 million people, more than the population of Spain and nearly that of Italy. Some steps need to be taken to drastically reduce that amount of uninsured individuals and control skyrocketing healthcare costs before the whole country is brought to its knees.

I find it absolutely astounding some Americans actually still think there is nothing wrong with their healthcare system. I was contacted by a blogger who seemed intent on berating my support for an overhaul of our current and ailing healthcare system. This Ed Buonadonna, of Florida, didn’t appear to like that I mentioned 47 million people in this country lack any sort of coverage, as he guestimated at least 22 million of those were “illegals”. I think I addressed his point in my comparison with the British system, which at a fraction of what the USA spends covers all people, citizens and visitors alike, for top-notch treatment.

Ed also praised the American system for managing to cover upwards of 250 million Americans, adding that he was a “responsible individual that puts the needs of my family ahead of my own wants”. He adds, “I personally know uninsured people who have boats, wave runners, multiple vehicles, spend money on vacations and luxuries like iPhones and blackberries…”

Then he adds he has no sympathy for people who make “poor choices”, including people who “waste money on frivolous things before necessities, people who bought houses they couldn’t afford, people who can’t get good jobs or insurance because they have little to no education before they quit school”. He adds people may say his views are a result of him being “advantaged”.. but, he adds, “I have noticed that my level of advantage is directly proportional to my level of responsibility, hard work and determination”.

And [that’s right, not finished], he adds, “I am tired of the European and Canadian comparisons… This is not Canada or France or Great Britain… [I might inject here he felt the need to use three full stops/periods every time he came to the end of a sentence perhaps to underscore his frustration] There is a reason our forefathers fled the oppressive governments of Western Europe and it wasn’t so we can emulate them 250 years later….”

Ok, I’ll start backwards, with the last item first. There is absolutely nothing wrong with learning off of your friends. Especially given the circumstances and considering upwards of 47 million people have no coverage. Most other Western countries have managed to pass the USA in their life expectancy rates and lower their infant mortality rates. And the USA spends more per capita on healthcare than anywhere else on the planet. What is sickening is that Ed is not willing to even take a glance at systems where more lives are being made better at a fraction of the cost. This would mean a lighter burden for the taxpayer, an actual reduction in what Ed pays now would go towards universal healthcare to help alleviate this flailing system.

And yes, 250 million Americans are covered. But let's just hope they don't get sick! Many of those now spend a ridiculous amount on healthcare as costs have been allowed to shoot up based on under-regulated free market principles. With a growing obesity problem, a greying population and a greedy oligarch of corporate conglomerates setting the table, this is bound to increase. With a growing number of uninsured, we are poised to see things get even worse. It is astounding some people could still say “Leave it the way it is”.