02 October 2009 - 17H06
Being sick in America
The United States is the only country in the industrialised world without universal health coverage. The result: 47 million Americans are uninsured. If they fall ill, they can count on no one but themselves.
US President Barack Obama is fighting for health-care reform that would provide health insurance for every American. But Democrats have been trying — and failing — to overhaul the system for more than 75 years.
The current system leaves 15 percent of Americans uninsured and countless more under-insured.
Perhaps surprisingly, the uninsured are not always the unemployed. Many small-business owners and employees are in charge of getting their own health insurance. They are left to deal with private insurance companies which often refuse to insure patients who have serious illnesses.
According to America’s National Academy of Sciences, 18,000 Americans die each year due to lack of health insurance.
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Comments
Health Care
The Democrats have NOT been trying to overhaul the US Health system for more than 75 years. If that were the case they would have agreed to a universal health care program proposed by Presiden Nixon - they refused to take up the Nixon plan.
The issues at stake
The comments posted by some people here show the gap in information (disinformation?) in the US. It is correct that no one is denied emergency care, but, as the reporter says, the patient will receive a bill. That bill can be waived by the hospital, the County or the State if the patient is under the Federal guidelines for poverty (about $20,000 income). At that point, the payment by the State or the County is coming out of the constituents' pockets, in the form of a tax. So, unbeknownst to many, the US already has many forms of socialized medicine (including Medicare, The VA system, the County Hospitals, etc...). Has anyone wondered who pays for the free health care of all government employees – including the President? The issue is that if you have a decent job - like in a small auto body shop – and don't have insurance, and if you happen to own a car and a house, you WILL have to pay our health bill, even if it means selling part of your assets or going bankrupt (cont'd)
The issues at stake
(cont'd) If EVERYONE had access to low-cost insurance, it would not be an issue. But insurance companies will deny a customer whith even small health issues. Why? Because they are "for-profit", they only take the lowest risk people. The issue for them is that the costs of health care are astronomical here. With no apparent reason! Why pay $50 for a medication that really should cost $5? Ask the CEOs (bonuses anyone?), the lobbyists and the lawyers. Please no ranting on how America spends the most for R&D and is the “best in the world”, it simply is not true. Just look at the the top 10 pharmaceutical companies, few are US based! The real issues at stake are the outrageous costs of health care, insurance companies denying customers for pre-existing conditions and no fallback solution for them, leading to lack of preventative care. This is what Obama is trying to solve, and no one, especially people who are lucky enough to have coverage today, should deny that to the rest of US
Universal Health Care in U.S.
I don't think it's the job of the federal government to manage healthcare for all Americans. The matter of universal health coverage should be decided by the states. The federal government is incapable of managing our Nation's affairs as it is; add a universal health program now would be a disaster. Our federal government was never supposed to manage so much of the daily life of Americans. Those matters were intended to be the state's problem and the individual is also supposed to look out for their affairs as a free and independent citizen. California has it's own constitution, economy, state bureaus, parks, etc. We must first purge our incompetent government officials, reform our tax system, rebuild our job base and economy, and then maybe we'll have the luxury of contemplating a universal health care system. I voted for bonds to be issued to build a highspeed rail system here in California in the early 1990s. Where is it? I'd like to see a few things put in order first.
HEALTH AND WELFARE
People tend to prefer lies that give them pleasure and irresponsibility than face the facts that hurt, of course there are excellent health care in America, but not all America, and that is not good enough. The quality of life and of healthcare in North Western Europe is unsurpassed but people still complain and the system strive harder to provide an even better service and to give people peace of mind to know it's there for free and therefore are less stressful, for stress itself is the major cause of most illnesses. Spain never had it so good since they joined the E.U. and started seriously looking after the people now that they have learned that is beneficial to do so.
Health Care
The problem is, most Americans don't understand they are ALREADY paying for the uninsured in defaulted ER bills, but they are receiving none of the advantages of a Universal plan.
Be patient. We're slow learners.
No Healthcare is Free
Healthcare and emergency care is NOT free to anyone anywhere!
Why do you Socialists in Europe think your Healthcare is free? Do healthcare providers anywhere work for free? Of course not. Just because YOU don't pay does not make it free.
The reason the rest of the world can provide lower cost healthcare and drugs and emergency procedures is because the USA Medical system pays for and provides the research, development and delivery of Medical science at a much reduced cost to the rest of the world.
If the EU actually developed and paid for their Military Security and Medical Science your socialist programs would crumble. The EU better pray that the US system continues to subsidise your "free" programs.
The trouble with socialism is what to do after you're done spending everyone else's money.
Continued Lying By France 24
Twice in two days my postings which proved no one in America is denied medical treatment because of an inability to pay have been taken down by France 24. IF FRANCE 24 DOESN'T CARE FOR THE TRUTH WHEN IT COMES FROM AN AMERICAN EMT/AMBULANCE DRIVER WHO WORKS IN THE FIELD HERE DAILY, THEN I DON"T CARE TO RECEIVE ANY MORE "NEWS" FROM STALANIST FRANCE 24. If the French system of socialized medicine is so wonderful, why do so many French citizens come to America to get their medical treatment here? And why do so few Americans ever go to France for THEIR treatment? And why is France 24 attempting to inflict a disfunctional socialized national medical system on the United States? Does misery love company that much in France? Take off the blinders already!
Healthcare/Capitalism
Greed is the foundation of Capitalism. How can a patient get the best care when the bottom line is profit? They can't.Seems the Hippocratic oath takes a back seat to Individual Wealth.Healthcare may be available...in fact it is right across the border in Mexico where I can get my medication for 90% less than in the USA....
I love the fact that the same Right WIngers who claim to be "Christian" don't believe in practicing Christian principals, but in fact worship money..the same thing Jesus preached against...Jesus was a Healer and a Socialist!!
Healthcare
How is it that FOX News is always biased? Have any of you ever watched any other news channel? Have you ever watched FOX News? Yes it leans to the right, the opposite of all of NBC News which leans heavily to the left. Probably due to the fact that it is owned by GE which has gained billion dollar contracts with the White House for "Green" contracts in exchange for positive media coverage. Now because Obama broke down the missle defense system in the East of Europe, Putin is now willing to meet with American companies for contracts in Russia, and who is at the top of the list for talks....GE. My point is that if you think bias and corruption run one way, then you are sadly mistaken.
Is our system broken? Yes. Do we have money to pay for it? No. I wonder why France 24 didn't talk about how the healthcare system there is bankrupt and can't find a way out of it, probably because it is a a state run news organization. Of coarse they're not going to give you both sides.
Being Sick In America
Some of my fellow Americans seem to be confusing "emergency treatment" with "health care," and "not having to pay up front" with "free." Yes, the ER will treat people without requiring them to pay up front----but they do get a bill, and a big one. It's not true that everyone who can't afford insurance gets free care. That's a myth put out by right wing media stars.
Health Care in USA
I've read these comments. apparently some of you who have commented didn't bother to actually WATCH this story in full. Either that, or you're in denial. Or as one astute responder suggested, you watch the Fox News Channel whose motto should be "We distort, you decide."
US Healthcare
I have worked in health care for twenty-five years. No one is denied health care. There are programs for free or sliding scale fees for all medical, dental, and prescriptions health care. My husband was recently in the hospital for heart problems. His room mate had the same procedures done. All for no cost. He was also set up with phyician appointments and free medication before he was discharged. Are there problems with American Health Care. Of course. We need to fix the problems not tear a system down that works for the marjority of Americans.
To be sick in America
Cyril Vanier's report illustrated with real human anecdotes the deplorable state of health insurance in th US. The quality of health care can be very high, provided you have the means to pay for it. However, the burdens and benefits of the system are very unevenly distributed.
To be sick in America : "Reporters" .
Top-class report,very informative.
SOCIAL SECURITY & NATIONAL INSURANCE
"If there's a will, there's a way. Americans by and large have neither the will nor the homogeneity to adopt a national health care system. People are too selfish on the one hand and abusively exploitative on the other for the Platonistic proposal to get off the ground let alone work. The US needs massive reformation not only of healthcare but of the national soul."
Health Care in America....
Where do you think france24 came up with the story in the car park in Tennessee? Do you think they hired extras to wait all night with a number to see a dentist or a doctor, filmed them, made up the doctors, the patients and then paid them off with wine and croissants? And, it's not necessary TO SHOUT AT ME and called me NUTS if I don't see your point of view. I guess Michael Moore was lying as well when he made Sicko...by the way, I am AN AMERICAN AND LIVE HERE IN A SOCIALIST COUNTRY! OhmyGod, I can hear you SHOUT!!! She's a commie and doesn't believe in the God that will save us all from pain, hatred and hippocrits. Go back under your rock and cozy up with the dinosaurs, if they'll have you...I bet you just love POX news.
US Health Care
Only in America, is it Un-American to take care of sick Americans. In Britain and in France, sick Americans are treated unconditionally and equitably and free of charge. This is something Britons and French and more or less the rest of the free world are proud of. Republican Americans are blocking progress and should be profoundly ashamed. The American system is also inefficient.
Health Care
SARA............YOU ARE NUTS!!! YOU MIGHT GET THE FRENCH TO BELIEVE YOU, CAUSE THEY DONT KNOW ANY DIFFERENT, BUT U CAN'T SPREAD THAT GARBAGE IN THIS COUNTRY (US of A)
Health care
This is a gross misrepresentation of the number of unisured. Closer to 12 after u deduct the illegal aliens and those between 18 and 30 who simply don t feel they need it. . It is mandated in this country that no one for any reason can be denied medical care. We have "county" level hospitals that are totally free and are funded thru taxing the citizens of that county. Our local one in Dallas is funded to the tune of 15 - 20 million $USDollars a year!!!
Hospitals along our Mexican borders have had to file bankruptcy because of the health care provided to illegal aliens from Mexico..And if u visit here and have a need YOU will be taken care of also.Do u think for 1 minute that 300 Million people would stand for poor or no health care....P.S. We dont have any cost/life ratios to deal with from politicians either...you get what u need no matter what !!!!!!
Health Care in America....
people are denied healthcare if they can't pay for it...and if they are chosen to be cared for they will be signing over their house, their cars, their kids, their cats.
health
no health care in usa ???
UNTRUE, UNTRUE, UNTRUE.........IT'S ALL OBAMA PROPAGANDA !! NOBODY IN THE USA IS DENIED EMERGENCY CARE !!!! NOBODY....EVER !!!!!!!