Health Before Profit
Submitted by Kristin on Tue, 08/25/2009 - 12:30
When I was living in Australia, I met many other backpackers, mainly from Europe, and we discussed many of our cultural differences. Things like rugby vs. football, World Cup vs. World Series, cold beer vs. warm beer and U.S. Health Insurance vs. Europe’s Universal Healthcare. When I told a friend about Kaiser Permanente and how I could only use it in a few states, the monthly costs was quite high, there was $40 co-payment and prescription costs were rising, he looked perplexed. So I asked what he was thinking. He responded with, “You PAY for healthcare?!” He pulled out his universal healthcare card and explained how he could be in any country in Europe, at anytime, and go to any hospital and get help. Most times when he’s home in Manchester, the doctor made house calls. “LIES,” I shouted to him!!! Alas, he wasn’t lying. I wish I lived in Europe…
I know a lot of red state Americans do not want to be anything like Europeans (probably because they don’t know any Europeans or have never been to Europe, fear is usually driven by ignorance). Fear and ideologies aside, how can we not copy a health care system that works seamlessly for an entire continent? Probably because the outlook many are taking on the subject is money driven and, thus, right wing politicians use their spin to feed the masses with propaganda of Obama’s “socialist” agenda which, sadly, many believe.
I get that change is scary and can cause people to throw up their arms or in some cases bear arms, but this is change for the better. I hope Obama doesn’t ease up on his Healthcare Reform because our country isn’t doing so well. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States is ranked 72nd of 191 countries for level of health and is ranked 37th for overall health system performance, just behind Costa Rica and Dominica and just ahead of Slovenia and Cuba, countries with a fraction of the economic wealth of the United States.
It’s not that we cannot overhaul the system to make it accessible and affordable for all, it’s that too many people have their hand in the multibillion dollar cookie jar we call “healthcare.” The difference between U.S. and European healthcare systems is one of philosophy; European healthcare systems put their citizens and their health before profits. To them it is a basic human right to have acces to healthcare; whereas here in the Unites States, it’s a luxury some cannot afford.
- Kristin's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Comments
OMG. You changed my mind.
Ok so before I read this, I hadn't done much research on the topic, but because:
1. I don't have any current health problems, and
2. People were making such a hullabaloo (is that even a word?) about this
I thought "Why don't we try and focus on solving the other key problems we have, such as the darn economy and lack of jobs."
But after read your blog and Charity's comments, I think the following:
1. Capitalism is good, but that mentality creates an unfair price for healthcare which I do think is a basic human right.
2. Charity brings up a good point in that maybe we are looking so hard at what we will have to pay upfront that we don't see the benefits and what it will save for us in the future.
3. And not only for ourselves, but for other people as well. Sometimes I think that same mentality has us only caring about ourselves and our own wallet. I get we are a capitalist society, but do we throw out our values out the window just so we can have that extra vacation to the French Riviera or how about that new 2-door red convertible?
And the frustrating part is that I hear so much opposition to this plan, but no one who's yelling can really tell me why. It's a rough economy and whenever they hear about something that may possibly cost them more money, whether it does or not, that's enough to scare them to say "No!" without getting the facts straight.
4. I thinks it's shameful that as one of, if not, the richest country in the world, we are SO behind in terms of quality of health care. It really does show our priorities.
So what's the solution? I really couldn't tell you. But thanks so much for posting this! It got me thinking about this is a different light.
I worked for two summers in
I worked for two summers in London, England and experienced first hand their healthcare system. I had become quite ill - high fever, chills, congestion, the works! I had put off seeing a doctor because I was scared of the unknown. I had become so ill, I called a local friend and he took me to the nearest ER. I couldn't believe how easy it was! I filled out a few forms, was seen within 45 min to an hour (that is normal even in the US), given an IV as I was quite dehydrated and didn't have to pay a dime. I couldn't believe it. I currently pay for my own health insurance here in the US (about $130/mo) and my deductible for an initial ER visit is $1000. I had strep throat earlier this year and had to wait a few days to see my primary care physician because it's only $40 per office visit vs. the $1000 for an ER. I was SO sick by the time I was seen that I had to take a week off work. If only it was handled in a more timely manner, I could have saved myself a lot of grief and misery.
It is about time the US works towards improving our healthcare system.