From T. R. Reid in the Washington Post:
This fragmentation [in US health care] is another reason that we spend more than anybody else and still leave millions without coverage. All the other developed countries have settled on one model for health-care delivery and finance; we've blended them all into a costly, confusing bureaucratic mess.
Which, in turn, punctures the most persistent myth of all: that America has "the finest health care" in the world. We don't. In terms of results, almost all advanced countries have better national health statistics than the United States does. In terms of finance, we force 700,000 Americans into bankruptcy each year because of medical bills. In France, the number of medical bankruptcies is zero. Britain: zero. Japan: zero. Germany: zero.
Given our remarkable medical assets -- the best-educated doctors and nurses, the most advanced hospitals, world-class research -- the United States could be, and should be, the best in the world. To get there, though, we have to be willing to learn some lessons about health-care administration from the other industrialized democracies.
Imagine! 700,000 bankruptcies per year due to medical bills. How can we, the richest country in the world, call ourselves a civilized country? Do the numbers of bankruptcies shock you Mary Landrieu, David Vitter, and Charlie Melancon? They shock me. Must we study health care models for a longer period of time while folks get sick, die, and go bankrupt because they can't pay medical bills for the lack of a decent health care plan?
You're well-covered by a government-run health plan. Why can't your constituents have what you have? We pay your salaries. You work for us. Give the citizens of the US the help they need with health care. Isn't it time that we cease to be a disgrace and embarrassment around the world?
The entire article is worth a read. It's long, but it has a lot of interesting information about health care in the US as it compares to health care around the world.
H/T again to Paul the BB. I'm stealing all his stuff today. What are blog friends for if not for stealing their material? Really.
UPDATE: The 700,000 bankrupt because of medical bills are real people, not just numbers. Hedwyg tells her story at her blog. Please read her post.
Freely I steal, freely I pass on. Thanks for helping spread the word, Mimi.
ReplyDeleteFran, honey, you have words, but Mimi runs a respectable blog, so you and I will behave here (pace MP).
Well, not THAT respectable, Paul.
ReplyDeleteI'm not worried about Fran's language. In her reincarnation, she will be known as St. Fran. She's gonna be a good girl.
You know, it is actually better to have no insurance than to be under-insured or have poor insurance. If you have no insurance, the agencies delivering the care will usually work with you, find scholarships or forgive the debt etc... if you are underinsured or have poor insurance, you are stuck for the remainder because you then do not qualify for other programs.... I speak from experience.... and wish I didn't.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I'm sorry for you and everyone who has had the experience you describe. It's despicable that we have a system that punishes folks because they get sick.
ReplyDeleteLord, have mercy.
Even if no decent bill passes right now, the inhumanity of the health care system here in the US will have been exposed for the world to see, and there will have to be another attempt.
Socialist!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm one of those 700,000 for this year. :-( I ended up telling my story here, and linking to several others.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
hedwyg
Fran is a good girl. I used to be a good boy but I'm recovering from that.
ReplyDeleteOn a more serious note, I think bankruptcy for medical debt (which I well understand) is a tragedy and a disgrace to our nation. This should never happen to people.
Hedwyg, I read your story. It's shameful that people are forced into situations such as yours. I added an update to my post with a link to your post.
ReplyDeleteAww! Thank you, Grandmère! The stories I linked to were all more horrifying than my own, especially Doxy's story. But yes, real people have to make these terrible decisions every day... and it's a grave corporate sin for America.
ReplyDeleteHedwyg, Doxy's friend's story was heartbreaking, and there are too many similar stories.
ReplyDelete