Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Beware of the Better Care

This is a wonderful example of the impossibilities, stated by the United States government, that are evidently possible elsewhere.  Now by no means am I saying that this issue is of ease to fix but it seems as if other countries are making that effort in order to provide something that is a bit of a necessity. So what is it exactly that I am ranting on and on about?  Health care.  Health care for all the citizens of the United States to be more specific. 

With the current scare of swine flu being on every broadcasting new channel, it emphasizes the need to seek medical attention for any symptoms of sickness.  But what is not even considered is that inability of some Americans to be seen at a medical facility.  Now I am sure if you told them you think you may have swine flu then they would take the time to test you to avoid to foreshadowing epidemic. Hopefully your tests are negative, but what then?  If you fail to have health insurance, then there shall be no relief since you are going to be given an expensive bill.

Nearly 46 million Americans, or 18 percent of the population under the age of 65, were without health insurance in 2007, the latest government data available.  [And] Nearly 40 percent of the uninsured population reside in households that earn $50,000 or more.1 A growing number of middle income families cannot afford health insurance payments even when coverage is offered by their employers. (Healthcare Insurance Coverage)

Now this would not relatively be as frustrating if there still no possible solution, but there is- socialized medicine. In Steve Weissman's Yikes!!! I'm a Slave to Socialized Medicine, he describes his experience with socialized medicine while living in France.  He begins with freedom of choice to choose one's medical provider, which is not common to Americans with health insurance, with only two possible reasons to be denied: too many patients and not within their geographical area.  The latter only exists as to prevent a long travel when making house calls.  Other things such as labs are done by a nurse at home with results received following day through the mail; full reimbursement and expenses covered by the government; no costs of prescription medicine to the patient; and on the spot doctor's reports are all benefits of this socialized medicine.  These are also examples of pathos because these situations can bring about great emotions of frustration since many other medical providers, with the exception of the military, fail to provide the same.  

Weissman then uses ethos in three situations to prove better care within socialized medicine.  The first being the French system rated as the best in the world by surveys, conducted by the World Health Organization, stating it is far better than average health care in the United States; life expectancy and most other relevant rankings are also higher in France than in the United States; and in his own comparison of care from his doctors in Florida to the ones in France. Overall, he closes with a point using logos. Although none of this is really free because of taxable income and pensions paid to the government, the situation is still relatively the same because we Americans also pay a great many taxes.  So with all this being true, why are we Americans still claiming health care for all to be impossible?



"Yikes!!! I'm a Slave to Socialized Medicine" 

"Health Insurance Coverage"

"Ronald Reagan Cartoon"



Related Readings:

Five Myths About Socialized Medicine

Socialized Medicine: Pros & Cons

Stimulus Hides Socialized Healthcare Plan

Ronald Reagan Speak Against Socialized Medicine (Video)

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