I believe there are three types of health care systems in the world. One is like in Britain or Canada, where the government either runs the whole health care system or runs the health insurance program. The people pay hefty taxes for it, but everyone is covered.
Second is like in Nepal, or in any other developing country, where health insurance is almost non existent. If you have money, you can find best of care. If not, then good luck in waiting for your appointment in government hospitals. Not a sound system, but fairly simple to understand.
Third is similar to what we have in United States of America, which I feel is the combination of above two. If you are above the age of 65 or a military veteran, then the system is more like in Canada, the government takes care of you. If you are below that age, then you need to purchase the ever expensive health insurance. If you have a pre-existing condition; good luck in finding an insurance provider. Even if you find one, it’s very complex to figure out what your insurance plan covers and what it doesn’t. The bottom line: health care system in America is best suited for wealthy or healthy.
The American legislator are currently trying to come up with a new health care legislation that will insure all uninsured people, and make it more affordable and stable for the ones who are already insured. There seems to be strong emotions in both sides of this legislative debate. I am, especially, fascinated with the opposition of this legislation. They have branded President Obama as both socialist and fascist for trying to overhaul the current health care system in America. I personally feel both of these accusations towards Mr. Obama are hyperbolic, but what amuses me more is how the “opposition” is trying to brand the proposed legislation (work in progress) as both fascism and socialism. Fascism and socialism are two opposing ideology. Even if the accusations were assumed to be valid, they contradict each other.
No matter how developed a country is, no matter how literate the people are; politics is always going to be politics: dirty.
Image source: http://www.psychologytoday.com/files/u107/health%20care.jpg
