Time to act on health-care reform: Obama

LOL here is to  Mother Teresa:) 

The US is under collective delusion and denial on this. It has a failed health system - most costly, intrusive and with the least successful outcome ratio among developed nations. Empirical research data indicates this consistently. It needs reform - and it will happen whether under this regime or another in the near future.

This ignorant and  supercilious sneering from the Republican hacks just indicates their level of any real knowledge on the matter and  a blanket acceptance of the health industry propaganda they are being sold. It is also why these same Republicans were canned from office and are doomed to be outcasts and pariahs until they are able to recognize the reality of modern day America, not the halcyon mirage of the 50's when White America was fat, happy, wealthy and remarkably stupid.

I am puzzled why everything has to boil down to race. 

Two interesting stories.

I think the health plans need more study and must have a way to pay the full costs before being passed.

I'm not a fan of "socialized medicine". However I and my family have been on various U.S. private health insurance plans for years and in  my experience, the plans get costlier and costlier and the quality of care does not get commensurately better. For example, nowadays one often winds up seeing a "nurse practioner" instead of a doctor and it's virtually impossible at times to get an appointment with a doctor unless you book weeks in advance. As a result. one often winds up in a "walk-in clinic" or the emergency room.   My daughter, who is autistic, was on a state-sponsored plan for a couple of years. The cost was a bit less than the private plan, however, in my opinion she had better and more convenient access to medical care. I, like many Americans,  don't know what the answer is. I'm lucky enough to be able to afford private health insurance. but millions aren't. If, as many claim, the quality of medical care in the U.S. is the best in the world, I'd hate to see what other "developed" countries are faced with in terms of medical care.

Thanks everyone for your comments, Canadas health care is far from perfect, but no one ever had to lose their home over a hospital stay.  If the US just went to Health Canada and said, set up a Health Care plan for us in the good ole USA, it would work far better than what you have now. In the US healthcare is run by investors who want to see big profits and a lot of investors are Pharmaceutical companies.  60 minuted did an expose on healthcare in Florida and found hospitals charging outrageous sums like $2.00 for a single cotton ball, that anyone can buy a whole bag at Walgreens for $1.88.  Now you tell me who is ripping off US citizens?

Barry Artiste: What are your thoughts on the claim that many  Canadians seek health care in the U.S because the U.S. health care system is better and more efficient than Canada's system? Also, the claim is made that Canadians, with serious medical conditions (such as cancer and heart disease) requiring operations, have to wait for months (and longer) before receiving the appropriate medical care. This is what is being said by the opponents of President Obama's health care policies. Yes! In America, the mark up for goods and services is tremendous! Indeed, in America, you can sell it on a stick and hospitals are no exception.

Thanks for the comments Rory and Andrea. in response to your question Rory. Canadians who seek medical procedures in the states, most likely get their procedures paid by the provinces health plan, so it does not come out of pocket from the patient,but their provincial health plan.  Like I said our health plan is not perfect, but at least a patient going to the US gets their medical treatments paid for by our government.