Universal health care not all it’s cracked up to be


Published on Thursday, June 25, 2009 8:32 PM AKDT

To the editor:   

The president is now promoting a universal health plan that will cover all United States citizens. According to President Obama, his program is going to “fix” the “broken health system” that has provided health care for Americans for many years. Although the proponents of the presidents program deny this is a nationalism of the health industry, that is exactly what has inevitably happened in every other country that has adopted this approach to health care. This has resulted in many problems for their populations. We occasionally travel through Canada and have several longtime friends who live there. Also, we had to use their emergency room facilities once so we have personal experience with their plan. Without going into too many cases, we would like to point out a few typical instances that highlight the problems.

An article in the Fort Nelson News (4/02/2008), titled “No Spring Babies in Fort Nelson” documented that maternity services at the Fort Nelson hospital would not be available for a seven-week period that spring. Mothers expecting during that time were advised to make other arrangements, which included moving to other towns that would have services to assist them. One couple we know had to travel more than 300 miles to have the baby. The article closes by noting, “This situation is not a new development for Fort Nelson mothers, it has been the situation for many years, but it never gets easier for those traveling mothers-to-be.”  Fort Nelson is a town of about 5,000 people in northern British Columbia.

Several years ago, there were articles in several BC papers warning folks that emergency room doctors had gone on strike due to non-payment of their fees by the administrating government agencies. We were unable to follow up on later developments so do not know how widespread or long the strike was in place.

Rationing of health care and long waits for diagnostic services and major treatment are common in all countries that have universal health care coverage. We were told by a local physician that Norwegians over 80 do not receive any treatment for major ailments other than for pain control (that’s really a nice scenario for senior citizens, many of whom are grandparents and great-grandparents). It has been reported that many patients  come to the United States for treatment by our “broken” system rather than face lengthy waits and possibly no treatment at home.

We suggest that readers who support the universal health concept reconsider their support in light of the experiences of citizens in other countries.

John and Judy Raynor

Wasilla

Comments

60 comment(s)

    123 wrote on Nov 2, 2009 4:12 PM:

    " I heard there was a lady who had a brain tumor that needed to be removed, but she had to get it removed in the US because there was a 6 month wait to see a doctor. Had she waited 6 months, she would be dead. "

    Everyone one in this country should have medical not exceptions no excuses wrote on Jul 3, 2009 7:38 AM:

    " You wait til you lose a friend or family member to cancer because they did not have insurance so did not go to the doctor and it did not get caught in time. This person was a hard working person, She used to have insurance then the job was outsourced to a private company. So she got to die. In this country there is no reason why we can't find a way to make health care affordable and a must for all. No exceptions, no excuses. "

    Power Wagon wrote on Jul 2, 2009 6:32 PM:

    " Today's news; Obama's plan will hit Americans with a $1,000 fine if they don't buy medical insurace. Say, didn't McCain SAY Obama was going to do that and Obama smiled and said that wasn't true; those were just 'scare tactics'? And how does it HELP the poor to get hit with a $1,000 fine? Oh, wait...that's not really the idea, is it? The idea is for it to help the government. "

    Power Wagon wrote on Jul 2, 2009 1:16 PM:

    " Uh-huh...we can all trust WHO despite the fact that they're ignored world-wide by the main medical associations in nearly every industrialized nation! OH, and how about those other wonderful UN organizations? My personal favorite is the Human Rights Organization that is chaired by Saudi Arabia, China, Cuba etc. They report that all is well in thier own countries but that the worst human rights abuse takes place in Isreal, the US, etc. But hey, who am I to say they're wrong? I've just converted to liberalism and know that it's all true! "

    to disgusted wrote on Jul 2, 2009 9:04 AM:

    " World Health Organization, that is the source of # 37 ranking information but I bethca you know more than they with your vast knowledge what?! NO! I doubt it. "

    John Harkey to Power wagon wrote on Jul 2, 2009 9:00 AM:

    " And the WHO rates the US 37, thats lower than Canada for you misinformed entitled government workers that may all the perks. The AMA and the drug companies sure dumbed us all down as it we were third world, and we were so stupid as to listen. "

    watcher wrote on Jul 1, 2009 7:04 PM:

    " Oh good lord... "Boo-hoo-hoo! You're not a brainwashed, gullible, glazed-eyed lemming like the rest of us! Now you've gone and hurt or fragile sensitivities! I'm going to go kneel in front of my poster of Prophet Obama right now and await his next brilliant move!"

    It's just so sick.... "

    Power Wagon wrote on Jul 1, 2009 3:39 PM:

    " ...next up...posts with such things as 'my daddy is bigger than your daddy', 'you're a doody-head' and other keen, cunning debate points from Ed... "

    EdwardfromAZ wrote on Jul 1, 2009 3:32 PM:

    " watcher wrote on Jul 1, 2009 7:57 AM:

    " Ed from AZ, Jim from Boston and the 'people' responding to them....one in the same individual? Looks like it!

    And I like the reverse-logic line about 'fear' and 'ignorance'....methods that are the hallmark of liberals, socialists, communists and dictators. History proves it. Obama and this administration have proved it. Gullible sheep like "Ed/Jim/whoever" prove it. "
    =============================
    Ahh, you must have been such poor student , you failed the Palin Home Schooling Institute.

    SP followers are like the Three Blind Mice. "

    EdwardfromAZ wrote on Jul 1, 2009 3:21 PM:

    " Power Wagon wrote on Jul 1, 2009 2:35 PM:

    " watcher,
    You just figure that out? You must be new here. Yes...'Ed' has several aliases that he uses in here in order to form his own imaginary crowd of supporters. He talks to himself using his imaginary friends. It's really quite funny. "
    ========================
    Once again your stupidity flows from your mouth. I post under one name only. Guess this is the best you can do huh?
    Shame you have such little common sense. "

    To watcher wrote on Jul 1, 2009 2:45 PM:

    " Instead of wasting space here with your vain imaginings, get yourself a life! "

    Power Wagon wrote on Jul 1, 2009 2:35 PM:

    " watcher,
    You just figure that out? You must be new here. Yes...'Ed' has several aliases that he uses in here in order to form his own imaginary crowd of supporters. He talks to himself using his imaginary friends. It's really quite funny. "

    watcher wrote on Jul 1, 2009 7:57 AM:

    " Ed from AZ, Jim from Boston and the 'people' responding to them....one in the same individual? Looks like it!

    And I like the reverse-logic line about 'fear' and 'ignorance'....methods that are the hallmark of liberals, socialists, communists and dictators. History proves it. Obama and this administration have proved it. Gullible sheep like "Ed/Jim/whoever" prove it. "

    jp wrote on Jul 1, 2009 7:31 AM:

    " the Obama administration is mirror-imaging the fall of russia.
    which flag will we fall under when this is all over? "

    To Jim from Boston wrote on Jul 1, 2009 1:18 AM:

    " Thank you for a rare and refreshing word of sanity!

    The Raynor's who wrote this vile letter did Wasilla, and America, a grave disservice by propogating fear and ignorance. "

    Kevin Priestley wrote on Jun 30, 2009 10:50 PM:

    " To Realistic Republican Veteran: Why are you trying to argue? You just gave a point supporting the overhaul of the current system.... "

    Kevin Priestley wrote on Jun 30, 2009 10:41 PM:

    " Alright... You wanted sources, I gave them in an unbiased way. Did you even read the other articles? The World Heath Organization defines their rankings as a combination of 5 things: 1. Health Level (Life Expectancy), 2. Health Distribution (Percentage of Pop. with Health Care), 3. Responsiveness (Speed of Service, Privacy Protection, Choice of Doctor), 4. Responsiveness Distribution (Distribution of #4), 5. Financial Fairness (% of Household income that goes to health care costs). - CATO Institue

    WHY DOES THE FRONTIERSMAN PREVENT THE USE OF REAL URLs?!?!?! "

    EdwardfromAZ wrote on Jun 30, 2009 8:46 PM:

    " Palmer Farm wrote on Jun 30, 2009 3:17 PM:

    " And on cue is Jim from Boston (gee, somebody from Boston endorsing socialism. Imagine that.) Oh, and in this blog we label 'not buying into liberal socialist propoganda' as 'not thinking this through'.
    Hey Jim, presenting something as a 'fact' when it's based on slanted data, half-truths and omitted material is no longer a 'fact'. It's called a 'lie'. "
    ======================
    The Palin Theme song "

    watching wrote on Jun 30, 2009 6:24 PM:

    " More people responding to themselves under a different name? Good grief. "

    Refreshing Voice if Reason wrote on Jun 30, 2009 4:01 PM:

    " Jim, Thanks for the comments! Please don't judge all Alaskan's by some of the uneducated, ignorant people that write in. I agree with you spot on. "

    Palmer Farm wrote on Jun 30, 2009 3:17 PM:

    " And on cue is Jim from Boston (gee, somebody from Boston endorsing socialism. Imagine that.) Oh, and in this blog we label 'not buying into liberal socialist propoganda' as 'not thinking this through'.
    Hey Jim, presenting something as a 'fact' when it's based on slanted data, half-truths and omitted material is no longer a 'fact'. It's called a 'lie'. "

    Jim from Boston wrote on Jun 30, 2009 10:02 AM:

    " And another question. If maternity facilities in Canada are such a problem, why is their infant mortality rate so much better than America's.

    Our rate is higher than Cuba's.

    Sometimes I think you folks haven't completely thought this through. "

    Jim from Boston wrote on Jun 30, 2009 9:46 AM:

    " Health care is always rationed. Supply is never equal to need or demand.

    Now how would you rather have it rationed. The rest of the industrialized world practices a triage and rations according to severity and chronic need.

    We ration according to income.

    Take your choice but don't start this nonsense about health care not being rationed in America. "

    Palmer Farm wrote on Jun 29, 2009 3:37 PM:

    " "Thank goodness for indoctrinated, oh, um..I mean 'educated' people..." "

    Thank Goodness for Educated People wrote on Jun 29, 2009 10:07 AM:

    " Thank you for giving me hope that our country still has actively thinking individuals. I was beginning to think based on a lot of these comments that we are surrounded by brainwashed, monosyllabic morons who actually believe as fact what they see on the television. I love my country and the fact that our healthcare system has degenerated to the state that it is in right now makes me cringe. We can make a difference if we hold ourselves accountable for the problems and take pride in our strengths. "

    James Irvine wrote on Jun 29, 2009 9:40 AM:

    " I would like to correct one item in this article. Not every American would be covered. I have seen studies that state that there would still be 20 to 30 million not covered. So this astronomical cost doesn't even insure all. "

    Power Wagon wrote on Jun 29, 2009 8:33 AM:

    " The 'source' used in reference to the US being 37th is a)known to be biased and incorrect (to put it politely) b)partial-information used to achieve a skewed result c)is considered a joke and not looked at seriously (kind of like The New York Times).
    If THAT is what you're using, you just shot yourselves in the foot. You might as well have posted "Well, according to the Democratic National Convention, conservatism is bad!"
    Sheesh...sad or laughable...hard to pick... "

    Wake up call wrote on Jun 29, 2009 12:27 AM:

    " We have had terrible health care in America for far too long, and a majority of people file bankruptcies because of crushing, unexpected, medical bills

    We all pay the cost for our lousy health care system in one way or another. Most Americans do not get reasonable health care, and that is nothing short of barbaric!

    President Obama's plan, although not Universal care, is more than good enough, and well worth implementing now. "

    Realistic Republican Veteran wrote on Jun 28, 2009 10:26 PM:

    " The World Health Organization Ranked Us 37th. Do you know who they are or how to find your resources? I'll be happy to give you a lesson on 101 find the facts for Dummies. There are a lot of Doctors who still practice the Hypocratic Oath that they swore to and agree that our system is broken and needs to be fixed because it doesn't allow them to maintain their oath. "

    Kevin Priestley wrote on Jun 28, 2009 6:59 PM:

    " Try to see a little more to this argument than just 'NO!!! NOTHING SOCIALIZED!!!' The World Health Organization ranked the US at 37. This article (although scathingly biased) brings up good points: patientpowernow.org/2008/06/06/united-states-health-care-ranking-who/

    Up to 50 million Americans are uninsured (independent.org/pdf/tir/tir_08_2_ohsfeldt.pdf). Fact. Something needs to be done about it. If the business model is to continue, there needs to be something else to compete to drive down costs (whether it is government-run, and independent business, or a non-profit). "

    Uncle Jed wrote on Jun 28, 2009 2:16 PM:

    " All the money from Illegal Aliens scamming Gov. programs and medicaid/medicare fraud, would pay for good Americans who can't afford insurance. Doctors get rich and the scammer foreigners steal the American dream. "

    to disgusted wrote on Jun 28, 2009 11:50 AM:

    " 37th huh? Really? Cite your sources pal, ...because that's a bunch of bunk. But then, you can't cite your sources because you're making it up. Typical.

    and to the 'To JP' blogger....it's always dangerous to say "I don't mind paying the taxes if..." You're a liberal's dream; 'just give us as much money as we can squeeze from you and we'll fix all your problems!' Wake up! "

    To JP wrote on Jun 28, 2009 10:30 AM:

    " "The Road to ___ is Paved with Good Intentions." (John Bunyan) you and I will be dead waiting for that to happen. I can remember when Blue Cross Blue Shield paid everything. My parents paid their insurance and didn't worry when I got sick or injured. Now, I pay and it takes four years to pay off a minor ailment. And we need to stay with our current system? I don't mind paying extra taxes if they actually went towards the infrastructure of this country. Veteran, Republican, Conservative and Proud of "

    Disgusted wrote on Jun 28, 2009 10:23 AM:

    " Fact: The US has just been voted 37th in the World for health care. Do you still believe in Baseball and Apple Pie? Again, let's fix the problem. We should be ashamed. Our health care is 4 times more expensive. "

    the real Disgusted wrote on Jun 27, 2009 8:31 PM:

    " I believe every bit of propoganda the leftist loving politicians and those that support them in the media spoon-feed people like me that don't need to bother looking things up for ourselves. I'm a good, loyal sheep that knows they are oh-so-honest and would never tell a lie in order to advance thier desire for socialism in this country. Even though big government and massive spending for social programs has been tried and proven to be a failure, by gosh it just SOUNDS so great! Sky-high taxes and record spending is just what we need! "

    Power Wagon wrote on Jun 27, 2009 2:44 PM:

    " to 'I just don't get it';
    Excellent point! "

    jp wrote on Jun 27, 2009 12:59 PM:

    " Here's the truth:

    Healthcare would be affordable if it weren't for all the lawyers, and ridiculous laws that get voted in by congress to "protect" people.
    Get rid of the frivolous lawsuits, and things will get affordable again! "

    Disgusted wrote on Jun 27, 2009 10:03 AM:

    " Quality of Health Care in the US the best in the World? Oh please! Have you even ventured out of the United States? Or is Hawaii it? Quality is the best service at the best price for everyone. Why haven't we tried to fix the system yet? We have been putting band aids on our wounds because big business runs this country. But you can continue to believe in Baseball and apple pie. I prefer to acknowledge the problem and find ways to fix it. "

    Get Real wrote on Jun 27, 2009 9:56 AM:

    " Here we go again. The term of Liberal. I am a Republican for God's sake! Where do Brits go for healthcare? Back to the UK. Does Universal health care have problems? Yes, it's not the cure all. Our system is broken to the point that I can buy US manufactured medications in a foreign country for a fraction of the cost that I would buy the same medication here for. We are our own worst enemy and it's called capitalistic GREED! "

    I Just Dont Get It wrote on Jun 27, 2009 7:56 AM:

    " To "Does Money Make One Stupid"....You must have plenty of money to make these statements. There are free clinics, state/fed run hospitals and emergency rooms all over this great country that people with no insurance use to receive treatment. And as for the infant mortality rate in the US...I wonder if abortion is included in that number? But that's O.K. to do, right? "

    I just dont get it wrote on Jun 27, 2009 7:36 AM:

    " I'm a Independent voter. I am retired but have insurance. Now I don't have to wait in long lines or months to be seen or told that I'm too old to receive treatment or an operation. If anybody thinks that you will still be able to use your own insurance plan or that the competition is going to be fair, I feel sorry for you. You are drinking the cool aid. Where will the Canadians and our friends from Great Britain go now for their health care? "

    to America Lets Fix It wrote on Jun 26, 2009 8:13 PM:

    " 'Scare tactics' are exactly what liberals have used to convince the uneducated and poor to believe in their hare-brained idea that nationalized health care is a wonderful, cure-all system. They count on you to be so desperate that you won't bother to look at what the offset to it is. (When something sounds too good to be true..etc etc....If nationalized health care is so great, WHY haven't we already done it? WHY is the quality of our medical care the best in the world?) But then, that's the liberal MO; get people to buy off on socialism through fear. "

    Wake Up America wrote on Jun 26, 2009 5:47 PM:

    " JP: Get a life! I do have insurance, I do have a job, I am aware that mothers in my predicament in Canada and the UK are not terrorized by fear when their child gets injured or sick. I am. When do we just disregard the problem and hurl insults at people instead? Taking your social economic arguments out of the equation: Are you aware that we are labeling Veterans with PTSD as having pre-military behavioral disorders and these Vets are being refused treatment? You still think the problem is just with lazypeople? "

    America Lets Fix It wrote on Jun 26, 2009 5:37 PM:

    " People in this country are choosing to suffer and die because they do not want to bankrupt their families. My family has healthcare and I am aware that if anyone in my family needs to set a broken arm, have surgery, or treat a disease, I might possibly loose me house, credit ect. Please no more scare tactics. Our current system is pathetic and badly broken. I have only just paid off a very minor day surgery. It took me 4 years to pay off the debt. "

    Palmer Farm wrote on Jun 26, 2009 4:59 PM:

    " Sure! In Canada you have semi-instant access to the best medical services Canada has to offer! (Which is better than Cuba's, I guess...The point is; if you're visiting Canada try not to get hurt! Or at least nurse yourself long enough to get back to the States!) "

    Without healthcare wrote on Jun 26, 2009 4:17 PM:

    " I was under the Canadian Health system for 14 years. For minor ailments I initially saw a Physician Assistant. If necessary he would send me up to a MD or specialist. It was great, fast, and available. Even though I had additional medical coverage in Michigan where I worked, 7 miles away, I had a a $1500 deductable. I often opted to see my doctor in Canada, paid a $25 fee and usually received the necessary medications in the office. All the hoopla is just anti Obama anything. I wish I could afford health care. "

    Power Wagon wrote on Jun 26, 2009 3:28 PM:

    " Well in the end, the proof is in California. Here's a state that LOVES so spend, spend spend on wonderful social programs. When they are raking in the money, they spend every dollar of it and then some. When the economy slowed down, they continued to spend anyway because 'that will turn the economy around.' And now, this week, they start handing out IOUs because they're flat broke. Oh, but I'm sure it'll work at the Federal level. Yeah,...that's different. Uh-huh.
    Liberals and economics....like oil and water. "

    Uninformed naysaying wrote on Jun 26, 2009 12:47 PM:

    " I should have expected this type of rhetoric by people regarding things they know nothing to litle about.

    President Obama's plan is not Universal healthcare. It should be, but it is not. It freely allows the option to choose or continue private health care plans. I do believe Universal health care is the best bet, however, because for it to work properly, it needs full participation.

    I, too, have close friends in the United Kingdom, and they have government provided health care, and they are extremely happy with the results. "

    Power Wagon wrote on Jun 26, 2009 11:51 AM:

    " So far the only arguments I see in here that favor nationalizing our health care are just parroting the watered-down, half-the-story, twisted-truth spiel that liberals use to sell it on an uneducated public. Especially the one that brings social class into the picture. (The rich owe us!)
    I'm middle class and don't click my heels with joy over how much I pay monthly or for my premiums. But it doesn't take much to take a big-picture, honest look at what nationalizing our health care would mean to our quality of care and economy. "

    Jay Rockefeller wrote on Jun 26, 2009 10:41 AM:

    " "There is a very small chance any Republicans will vote for this health-care plan. They were against Medicare and Medicaid [created in the 1960s]. They voted against children's health insurance.We have a moral choice. This is a classic case of the good guys versus the bad guys. I know it is not political for me to say that, but do you want to be non-partisan and get nothing? Or do you want to be partisan and end up with a good healthcare plan? That is the choice." "

    Does money make one stupid wrote on Jun 26, 2009 10:26 AM:

    " Ask any American who is currently uninsured, under-insured, severely in debt due to medical bills, or insured and not receiving the treatments they need, how they feel about a nationalized health care system. The people complaining about a nationalized system have money, good insurance, and don't have any clue about the reality of our health care system. A nationalized system will not end private insurance or services. Those of you with money will still get the best treatment available. But just maybe our "great" country won't have the highest infant mortality rate of all industrialized nations. "

    jp wrote on Jun 26, 2009 10:16 AM:

    " If Doctors are already turning away Medicaid, and medicare patients, because they can't seem to get paid in a timely manner, or even the whole bill from the federal government now, how bad will this get when the feds start this? "

    Somethings Got 2 Work wrote on Jun 26, 2009 9:33 AM:

    " It's interesting that this article points only to the problems of these healthcare systems without offering up a solution to the more them millions of workers and families that don't have healthcare coverage. What do you say to them? Better off without healthcare then with some type of system.
    I think most people would rather have something then to use the emergancy room as their primary health care provider.
    I too have been to other countries that have universal health and have heard the moanings; but those who's companies have private health opt-out of their governments health care program. "

    Power Wagon wrote on Jun 26, 2009 9:13 AM:

    " National Healthcare would actuall work? Sure...if you don't mind giving up our quality of healthcare and driving up business expenses and taxes. I'm surprised by the 'Palmer Businessman''s blog. He can't afford the premiums for employee health care coverage. But is he willing to pay higher taxes and face a penalty if he doesn't provide health care for his employees as would be demanded by law? Will he pass these higher operating costs on to the customer?
    Compare the quality of care in those countries with national health care with our own, then get back to me. "

    to Power Wagon wrote on Jun 26, 2009 8:16 AM:

    " Ask England what would happen if the politicians tried to do away with the National Health Service. As one historian put it, "If Margaret Thatcher had proposed doing away with the NHS, there would have been a revolution." I can understand differences of opinion, and that we can each find folks in these systems to support our own ideas. But when our own republican leaders talk about the reason they don't want a national healthcare plan, they say its because insurance companies couldn't compete. That'd be because their product costs more and covers less. Because nationalized healthcare would actually work. "

    Palmer Businessman wrote on Jun 26, 2009 8:13 AM:

    " I own a successful business in Downtown Palmer. I make a respectable income, and so do my employees. But every time I go to my insurance agent and talk about adding a healthcare plan for myself and my employees it's way more than I can afford, and the premiums would cut my employee's take-home below what they'd make working for minimum wage at McDonalds. These people work hard, and so do I, but they don't have health insurance because we just can't afford it. THOSE are the people Obama's trying to help. "

    Power Wagon wrote on Jun 25, 2009 11:32 PM:

    " Gosh, a nationalized health care system. That sounds wonderful. We can trade in our current one, which is among the world's best, for one like Cuba. Or Canada (just ask Liam Neeson how wonderful Canada's is!) And only for a trillion dollars...ON TOP of his crazy, record spending he's already shoveled on the backs of this country's children. And like so many other wonderful social programs the liberals love so much, it's never been proven to be successful. History proves it's a bad idea but darn it, it just SOUNDS so wonderful and warm and fuzzy! Let's do it! "

    jp wrote on Jun 25, 2009 10:23 PM:

    " i know this is going to sound bad, but, Obama is trying to get health care to people that are just to lazy to work, or, just do not contribute to society.
    Why should the rest of us pay for the people who do not even try to work, or even try to improve their own quality of life?
    I will not contribute anything more to this administration, if they choose to, they can incarcerate me, and then you all can pay for me too! "

    Edward Kessler wrote on Jun 25, 2009 9:41 PM:

    " While still on topic, I would also like to mention your analogy of Ft. Nelson, BC. I would have to suggest, that with the limited population of British Columbia, especially the Ft. Nelson region, the fact that they have a hospital is pretty darn great. Does Talkeetna have a hospital? What about Girdwood? Healy? Sutton? My point is, these people have AFFORDABLE health care coverage, that does not destroy their income earnings, and is provided pretty much year round. Again, if they want to pay, they can go somewhere else...just like here. "

    Edward Kessler wrote on Jun 25, 2009 9:38 PM:

    " Perhaps your visit to the doctor in Canada (a different sovereign nation) took a while because you are from a different country.

    Are the waits really that long? Perhaps, but health care costs are quite low and people at least have some type of insurance, and can go to the ER if they have to at any time. Obama and his administration have said NOTHING about limiting private and employer provided health care coverage. If you can afford it, then by all means purchase it. "

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