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Vulnerable Here

Submitted by Obs Erver, Jul 5, 2007 20:38

Because St. Petersburg has the Winter Palace doesn't mean Russia is the best place to live.

Yes, if you possess stupendous wealth you can live in a palace or afford the USA's dazzling medical monuments. But what about everyone else?

To assert that the USA's medical system is "free-market" is specious and absurd. It is a free-market in only the most theoretical, mythological sense. And what you get is what your employer offers usually, unless you can afford a supplemental policy. Nowadays, many employers offer little or nothing as a benefit. And increasing numbers are self-employed (and hammered by the USA's self-employment tax).

When you're sick you need a doctor; you're in no position to negotiate or bargain or shop, a basic tenet of the "free-market." In fact, the USA has a system of medical blackmail. Show me your high-priced 3rd party payer card or give me all your money (doctors & medical care being the leading cause of personal bankruptcy) or go elsewhere, no treatment for you. You don't get past the receptionist's window, and everybody knows that, except the columnist. (And the folks without the card or the means go to the emergency rooms or to risky charity hospitals lately in the news.) So, we have the long wait times here, too. Only you're more at risk while you wait ... and hope you get care that won't cost you all your savings, plus.

(Note to readers: This columnist's article is being linked by the Family Research Council, the right-wing lobby & inside-the-Beltway advocacy clique headed by former Louisiana politician and George W. Bush shill, Tony Perkins.)

Forget Britain or Canada. American went to the moon, right? Why not apply rocket science to finding the best solution for bringing medical liberty and justice (and common sense) for all in the USA. It's those qualities that in the past have made the USA the world's City shining on a Hill.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
I have worked the past 20 years at a university.. with full benefits (dental, medical, vision). In April 2007 my... [MORE]	Monica Moshenko	Jul 14, 2007 10:47
It's time people stopped thinking that government and their employers owe them everythingl For centuries most employers did not pay... [MORE]	Reyne	Jul 10, 2007 01:05
Healthcare is and should be one of the top issues for the 2008 Election. However, while you point out most... [MORE]	RightWingDog	Jul 8, 2007 00:01
I am simply amazed at the number of people who still buy the flawed argument peddled by the health care... [MORE]	A Clear Thinking Conservative	Jul 9, 2007 15:57
I don't think you are either "clear thinking" or a "Conservative". How you can say that programs like national security,Education, infrastructure... [MORE]	RightWingDog	Jul 9, 2007 22:27
History shows us time and again that government is at best, ineffecient, and usually dangerous. These days, it takes forever... [MORE]	Javan	Jul 10, 2007 00:48
I have to ask what kind of conservative are YOU, that you don't believe that our national security rests rightfully... [MORE]	A Clear Thinking Conservative	Jul 12, 2007 18:24
Health Care now takes on two significant caveats: Its cost and homeland security. Perhaps we will all get infected by... [MORE]	James Stewart	Jul 7, 2007 08:44
I'm onen of that 99.9999% of Americans who are gravely concerned about our health care systerm. It is pretty much... [MORE]	jim patton	Jul 6, 2007 19:21
Why in the world would reasonably intelligent people want to degrade our first class medical system? [MORE]	Roland Kurtz	Jul 6, 2007 16:05
Good article! Food for thought about securing the borders in all ways and going after the 'deep pockets' that fund... [MORE]	Ann Schmidt	Jul 6, 2007 15:21
Since when is Ken Blackwell an expert on health systems, whether they be the U.S. system or any other country's?... [MORE]	Paul	Jul 6, 2007 13:48
We need to keep socialized medicine out of our country. It is best as it is said to have competition among... [MORE]	Marjorie Kennell	Jul 6, 2007 11:07
Because St. Petersburg has the Winter Palace doesn't mean Russia is the best place to live. Yes, if you possess stupendous...	Obs Erver	Jul 5, 2007 20:38
A short reply to Obs Erver. Not in my office. If a patient does not have insurance I treat him... [MORE]	R W Hamm	Jul 8, 2007 21:22

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