Comments on: Universal health care: Taking on the myths http://www.amiexpat.com/2009/08/27/universal-healthcare-taking-on-the-myths/ life, the universe, and Germany Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:11:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Joshua H http://www.amiexpat.com/2009/08/27/universal-healthcare-taking-on-the-myths/comment-page-1/#comment-153229 Joshua H Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:32:08 +0000 http://www.amiexpat.com/?p=1872#comment-153229 This post was incredibly interesting to read. I spent nine months studying in Austria and was exposed to the health care system. I required visits to a specialist and had countless tests and imaging procedures done. Because I was not a part of an Austrian insurance plan, I had to pay out of pocket (later begrudgingly reimbursed by my American insurance coverage). This worried me. But I ended up spending less than 500 American dollars for everything. This bill would easily have cost me 1500 dollars in America. Not only was the cost completely manageable, but the doctors and nurses were so helpful, so caring and did everything they could to get me healthy. That system clearly worked. America would be wise to take some pages out of that book and stop hiding behind ridiculous excuses and fear tactics. This post was incredibly interesting to read. I spent nine months studying in Austria and was exposed to the health care system. I required visits to a specialist and had countless tests and imaging procedures done. Because I was not a part of an Austrian insurance plan, I had to pay out of pocket (later begrudgingly reimbursed by my American insurance coverage). This worried me. But I ended up spending less than 500 American dollars for everything. This bill would easily have cost me 1500 dollars in America. Not only was the cost completely manageable, but the doctors and nurses were so helpful, so caring and did everything they could to get me healthy. That system clearly worked. America would be wise to take some pages out of that book and stop hiding behind ridiculous excuses and fear tactics.

]]> By: ClubPenguinCheats http://www.amiexpat.com/2009/08/27/universal-healthcare-taking-on-the-myths/comment-page-1/#comment-93469 ClubPenguinCheats Thu, 03 Jun 2010 06:12:56 +0000 http://www.amiexpat.com/?p=1872#comment-93469 This is a fragmented mess– one system could cut overhead. One of the stranger things to me is that the gov’t CAN negotiate good pricing for medications under the VA arrangements but not under Medicare. This is a fragmented mess– one system could cut overhead. One of the stranger things to me is that the gov’t CAN negotiate good pricing for medications under the VA arrangements but not under Medicare.

]]> By: Twitted by dadicool http://www.amiexpat.com/2009/08/27/universal-healthcare-taking-on-the-myths/comment-page-1/#comment-19230 Twitted by dadicool Sat, 26 Dec 2009 06:51:59 +0000 http://www.amiexpat.com/?p=1872#comment-19230 [...] This post was Twitted by dadicool [...] [...] This post was Twitted by dadicool [...]

]]> By: dan http://www.amiexpat.com/2009/08/27/universal-healthcare-taking-on-the-myths/comment-page-1/#comment-19221 dan Sat, 26 Dec 2009 01:50:06 +0000 http://www.amiexpat.com/?p=1872#comment-19221 You site wikipedia as a source. Thats funny wikipedia is often a liberal mouth piece. You down play the Nazi version of socialism. Is it not true that both todays liberals and Hitler wanted the countries GNP to be controlled by the government. Heathcare is about 1/6 of the US GNP. Obama and Bush's bailouts pushed government into the private sector. This all sounds a lot like national socialism to me. The one thing Hitler and germans have that we do not have is patriotism. I assume Nazi Wing would never had hated Germans success like Obama has Americas. Think that is nonsense, listen to Obama speeches about global policies. He wishes to lower the USs standards to the worlds to let others compete fairly. This is not the americain way, this is not the same policies that made us the world power. Should we give up what we have to make things fair. This healthcare plan is not free so do think your pocket book will get thicker. Just name one thing the government does that works. 1. Social Ser. ouch a failure and on the brink of folding in 2035. 2. Postal Service, nope having major losses. 3. Transportation, been to an airport lately? 4. USDA- How many drugs do they approve only to later be recalled. Food that is passed by government inspectors only to later befund dangerous. 5. Housing crisis, Fanny Mae and old Freddie started it all. Both are Government ran programs. 6. Welfare- what a huge mess, fraud and misuse. 7. State controlled Gambling? how wonderful for those families who have an addict in the home. 8. US Ports -- a total mess less then 20% of shipments from over seas is inspected. God knows what gets in past uncle sam. Thats just a few, just name one Government controlled agency that is successful and I will be shocked. I can't wait for Uncle Sammy and Barrack to get their meat hooks into our healthcare system. You site wikipedia as a source. Thats funny wikipedia is often a liberal mouth piece.

You down play the Nazi version of socialism. Is it not true that both todays liberals and Hitler wanted the countries GNP to be controlled by the government.

Heathcare is about 1/6 of the US GNP. Obama and Bush’s bailouts pushed government into the private sector. This all sounds a lot like national socialism to me.

The one thing Hitler and germans have that we do not have is patriotism. I assume Nazi Wing would never had hated Germans success like Obama has Americas.

Think that is nonsense, listen to Obama speeches about global policies. He wishes to lower the USs standards to the worlds to let others compete fairly. This is not the americain way, this is not the same policies that made us the world power. Should we give up what we have to make things fair.

This healthcare plan is not free so do think your pocket book will get thicker. Just name one thing the government does that works.

1. Social Ser. ouch a failure and on the brink of folding in 2035.
2. Postal Service, nope having major losses.
3. Transportation, been to an airport lately?
4. USDA- How many drugs do they approve only to later be recalled. Food that is passed by government inspectors only to later befund dangerous.
5. Housing crisis, Fanny Mae and old Freddie started it all. Both are Government ran programs.
6. Welfare- what a huge mess, fraud and misuse.
7. State controlled Gambling? how wonderful for those families who have an addict in the home.
8. US Ports — a total mess less then 20% of shipments from over seas is inspected. God knows what gets in past uncle sam.

Thats just a few, just name one Government controlled agency that is successful and I will be shocked.

I can’t wait for Uncle Sammy and Barrack to get their meat hooks into our healthcare system.

]]> By: Devon Dudgeon http://www.amiexpat.com/2009/08/27/universal-healthcare-taking-on-the-myths/comment-page-1/#comment-16273 Devon Dudgeon Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:07:15 +0000 http://www.amiexpat.com/?p=1872#comment-16273 I just moved back to the U.S. after seven years in the UK. Both systems have their ups and downs, but even after all that time in the UK, it really felt great to walk out of the doctor's office and not have to do any paperwork. Not one form to sign. .-= Devon Dudgeon´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.a-broad-in-america.com/2009/10/unearthed-in-storage-locker.html" rel="nofollow">Things I unearthed in the storage locker</a> =-. I just moved back to the U.S. after seven years in the UK. Both systems have their ups and downs, but even after all that time in the UK, it really felt great to walk out of the doctor’s office and not have to do any paperwork. Not one form to sign.
.-= Devon Dudgeon´s last blog ..Things I unearthed in the storage locker =-.

]]> By: Kim http://www.amiexpat.com/2009/08/27/universal-healthcare-taking-on-the-myths/comment-page-1/#comment-14696 Kim Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:06:36 +0000 http://www.amiexpat.com/?p=1872#comment-14696 Thanks for these comments! As a former expat (Austria, Germany, Italy and UK) who had entirely positive experiences with social medicine, I find the strident alarmism of America's far-right exhausting. Perhaps the biggest hurdle for the average American is that so many have bought into the myth that our healthcare system is the best in the world and any changes would result in a degredation of that status. Oh my. Thanks for providing constructive information to this debate. I'm really enjoying your blog! .-= Kim´s last blog ..<a href="http://earthroamer21.blogspot.com/2009/09/looking-back-at-dozen-years-or-so.html" rel="nofollow">Looking back at a dozen years or so...</a> =-. Thanks for these comments! As a former expat (Austria, Germany, Italy and UK) who had entirely positive experiences with social medicine, I find the strident alarmism of America’s far-right exhausting. Perhaps the biggest hurdle for the average American is that so many have bought into the myth that our healthcare system is the best in the world and any changes would result in a degredation of that status. Oh my. Thanks for providing constructive information to this debate. I’m really enjoying your blog!
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Looking back at a dozen years or so… =-.

]]> By: Dan http://www.amiexpat.com/2009/08/27/universal-healthcare-taking-on-the-myths/comment-page-1/#comment-14244 Dan Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:47:58 +0000 http://www.amiexpat.com/?p=1872#comment-14244 I have a problem with your graph, as we all know people like to complain. In Canada, I have seen people wait in ER for 15min to 4 hours, depending on volume. As for electives and specialist surgeries and diagnoses, the graph only states that people complain. Canadians are renown complainers. The fact is that Canada has a magnificent health care system, not a perfect system. As a Canadian myself, I would be hard pressed to find anyone that thinks the health care system is failing. It has a healthy heart. Unlike the US system I have a problem with your graph, as we all know people like to complain. In Canada, I have seen people wait in ER for 15min to 4 hours, depending on volume. As for electives and specialist surgeries and diagnoses, the graph only states that people complain. Canadians are renown complainers. The fact is that Canada has a magnificent health care system, not a perfect system. As a Canadian myself, I would be hard pressed to find anyone that thinks the health care system is failing. It has a healthy heart. Unlike the US system

]]> By: Stephanie Albrecht http://www.amiexpat.com/2009/08/27/universal-healthcare-taking-on-the-myths/comment-page-1/#comment-14106 Stephanie Albrecht Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:57:25 +0000 http://www.amiexpat.com/?p=1872#comment-14106 This is a wonderful article and so true. My family and I lived in Germany when my husband was stationed there with the US Army. While we were there my son was born with Down Syndrome, heart defects, and pulmonary hypertension. My son is alive today because of German doctors. Our "oh so smart and superior" american doctors came to my husband and I and told us that the only way to save my son would be to transfer him to a Kinderklinik in Manheim, because there was nothing more they could do for him. So much for American healthcare and education being superior. This is a wonderful article and so true. My family and I lived in Germany when my husband was stationed there with the US Army. While we were there my son was born with Down Syndrome, heart defects, and pulmonary hypertension. My son is alive today because of German doctors. Our “oh so smart and superior” american doctors came to my husband and I and told us that the only way to save my son would be to transfer him to a Kinderklinik in Manheim, because there was nothing more they could do for him. So much for American healthcare and education being superior.

]]> By: Cecilia http://www.amiexpat.com/2009/08/27/universal-healthcare-taking-on-the-myths/comment-page-1/#comment-13972 Cecilia Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:58:28 +0000 http://www.amiexpat.com/?p=1872#comment-13972 Love, love, love this article! Everyone is so about "me" in this country that I have barely been able to hear a coherent argument against a public "option". By the way the key word is "option". The wait times here are, in fact, a scandal. I have worked in the health care environment for over 20 years and I know that something simple like a colonoscopy can take up to nine weeks...if your insurance covers it. Speaking of coverage...for those folks that do have insurance...have you checked to see what you are covered for and/or how much coverage you have in the event of a catastrophic illness? Can we afford to cover everyone...who will chose who we do not cover? I have a daughter who just graduated from the university. Guess what? She is no longer covered on my policy and has a pre-existing condition. She is a type I diabetic and will now have to pay 576.00 per month to obtain decent coverage. That is a scandal! Let's see fill the pot hole on the street or help insure all? I'll pick a human every time. Why are we both negative and unaccountable? Finally, for those who do nothing but complain about the government...we are the government for goodness sakes! Thanks again...really refreshing perspective. C Love, love, love this article! Everyone is so about “me” in this country that I have barely been able to hear a coherent argument against a public “option”. By the way the key word is “option”. The wait times here are, in fact, a scandal. I have worked in the health care environment for over 20 years and I know that something simple like a colonoscopy can take up to nine weeks…if your insurance covers it. Speaking of coverage…for those folks that do have insurance…have you checked to see what you are covered for and/or how much coverage you have in the event of a catastrophic illness? Can we afford to cover everyone…who will chose who we do not cover? I have a daughter who just graduated from the university. Guess what? She is no longer covered on my policy and has a pre-existing condition. She is a type I diabetic and will now have to pay 576.00 per month to obtain decent coverage. That is a scandal! Let’s see fill the pot hole on the street or help insure all? I’ll pick a human every time. Why are we both negative and unaccountable? Finally, for those who do nothing but complain about the government…we are the government for goodness sakes! Thanks again…really refreshing perspective. C

]]> By: carol http://www.amiexpat.com/2009/08/27/universal-healthcare-taking-on-the-myths/comment-page-1/#comment-13590 carol Sun, 30 Aug 2009 15:18:50 +0000 http://www.amiexpat.com/?p=1872#comment-13590 You did a wonderful, pointed recap. I would welcome a change in the health care system here. I don't know why there is so much resistance to it. Bravo to you for your write-up ... very well done! You did a wonderful, pointed recap. I would welcome a change in the health care system here. I don’t know why there is so much resistance to it. Bravo to you for your write-up … very well done!

]]>