The truthis we have the best healthcare...just not the best system. If you are seriously sick then theres no other place you want to be than the US, if you can afford it.
no, that isn't the truth.
health care elsewhere is just as good. and a lot more available to a lot more people (not even touching on illegal immigrants, how about low income folks?).
while i have no intention to criticize, i would like to say these things, which are true IN MY OWN EXPERIENCE AND OBSERVATION (disregard them if you'd like):
1. U.S. citizens would rather pay less taxes, have the money in their pockets, and pay that same money for their own health care, thinking it gives them a choice. In fact, they have less choice about which doctor they may see, what happens with elective surgery, and they get through waiting periods slower than every system with socialised medicare THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED.
2. there is a tremendous fear of the word "socialised" or anything related. socialised medical coverage is the same as turning the country over to Stalin or Mussolini, in most people's (absolutely uniformed, uneducated, and incorrect) opinion.
3. the cost of malpractice insurance for American doctors is a direct result of American culture. Suck it up, you caused it. Now deal with it, and reform health care. I don't care what that reform looks like, but you can't possibly think this fucking crap is the best in the world? if you do, I hope you never get really sick, and depend on your policy to cover things.
4. this whole debate makes me sad. Are you really so hateful and malevolent that you think anyone in your country (like illegal immigrants and the poor, for example) should suffer and die with no health care available to them? Try becoming unemployed, injured, or elderly, and see if that reforms your position on health care.
this is my own opinion, not fact. flame away, i can't wait to go back to socialised medicine.
my my, i'm blathering this evening.