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Friday, September 28, 2007

First-Hand Accounts On The Effects Of Socialized Medicine

My grandmother, at 90 years old, is a cancer survivor.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 80’s, was treated for it and is now in remission.  It was a difficult and trying time for my family.

One way in which she copes with her illness, and helps other cope now that she’s beaten it, is through a local cancer survivor’s group.  My mother went to a recent meeting of the group with my grandmother and said that a new member, a woman from Great Britain, was there and made a statement that my mom thought she had to share with me.

“The worst mistake America could make would be universal health care.”

This woman spoke of people at risk for, or in the early stages of, cancer being made to wait until the cancer was “more serious” before they received care.  She also spoke of people being classified as “not worth saving” because they were too old, or considered too unhealthy, to be worth the time of government doctors implying that my grandmother, in her late eighties, wouldn’t have received care in Great Britain because she’s near the end of her life anyway.

My grandmother who still lives on her own, cooks for herself and her family and plays with her great-grandchildren.

My mother said a nurse at the meeting then spoke up and said that many of our communities’ clinics are inundated with Canadians (we live very close to the border) who come here for care because they either need it in a more timely manner than their government can provide it or because their government simply doesn’t think they need it.

This is a pretty stark perspective on life in a universal health care system.  The examples of why that sort of system doesn’t work are all around us, yet some keep pushing it as though it were a good idea.

Comments

Avatar for Steve

Slam!

Steve on September 28, 2007 at 05:25 pm
Avatar for imagine

my sister in law is a canadian citizen.  When she gave birth to my niece, two hours after the delivery she was asked if she was going to “ ...be needing the bed for much longer”. 

obviously a very creepy and horrible tale of socialized medicine...as is your grandmothers.
however,
if we do not do something to solve the situation in the US we are headed for substantial problems…

there are many ways to implement “medical coverage for all”....

you and I have described two of the “not good ways"…

our care is the most expensive in the world and is, with certain exceptions, no longer the best in the world....something needs to be done....unchecked it is costing all of us ...

imagine on September 28, 2007 at 06:21 pm
Rob
Rob
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our care is the most expensive in the world and is, with certain exceptions, no longer the best in the world.

I’d challenge you to a) explain why our medical care is so conservative (I think you’ll find it illuminating) and b) prove that America’s health care isn’t the best in the world.

Because while not perfect, it’s better than anywhere else.


When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

-- Thomas Jefferson

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Rob on September 28, 2007 at 06:26 pm

i’ve got a friend whose mom was from (northern) ireland… she ended up dying because of the shitty care she received under their universal health care system.  “oh, she’s just getting old.” which was true, but not what killed her: they managed to miss a rather large brain tumor behind one of her eyes.  i will not vote for anyone who endorses socialized medicine, regardless of their political party.


"No Sane man will dance.”—Cicero

Daniel on September 28, 2007 at 06:45 pm
Avatar for imagine

we have the finest health care in unique facilities in the US....without exception…

we do not have “acceptable” health care for our poor.  We fall behind many nations in the care of our poor and poor children.

of course we can set aside my point with the sad side of socialized medicine...but we do have a large number of “un-insured” citizens that get little or zero coverage...dropping us below the median of industrialized countries.

but if you have the green?  come to the US we are the best..without a doubt...if you are poor...sorry.

imagine on September 28, 2007 at 07:11 pm

.dropping us below the median of industrialized countries.

That’s wrong of course. 

A third of the uninsured are illegal aliens.  Another third are eligible for government programs but don’t sign up for them.  Of course we’re led to believe that they will for the new program.

Many of the rest comprises folks that are switching jobs and will soon have coverage again.  I suppose you can fell sorry for those that were fired or laid off, but most people switch jobs on their own.

Many of the remainder could afford it or are actually self insured.  No problem there.

What were left are a few people that probably have chosen their lifestyle which is why they don’t have coverage.

But if you want to give away free health care go ahead.  As far as I know you can start anytime.


What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.


The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on September 28, 2007 at 07:54 pm

I’d challenge you to a) explain why our medical care is so conservative

I think you meant expensive.

I’ll name a few.  For one thing that we’re forced to buy coverage for tons of services that are mandated that really aren’t “medical”. 

Secondly one reason why a lot of young people aren’t covered is that they can’t purchase health care coverage that’s age appropriate.  The young people are expected to subsidize the coverage of the older people who are very likely better able to afford to pay for it.


What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.


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The Whistler on September 28, 2007 at 08:00 pm
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