[SJackson]

Continued.....

Not all countries that tried socialized medicine went as far as the Soviet Union. But there has been a whole pattern of problems common to government-controlled medical care systems, whether in China, Britain, Canada or elsewhere. And none of the anti-profit zealots want to talk about any of those problems.

None of those who wants us to move in the direction of Canada on health care ever faces the question: Why do so many Canadians come to the United States for medical treatment and so few Americans go to Canada?

Could it be that we should look at what actually works, rather than what sounds good? Nor should we be overly impressed by words that sound bad, like "uninsured Americans." The bottom line is medical care, not insurance. People without insurance are treated at hospitals all across America every day.

Before we even consider throwing away what works in favor of something that has failed repeatedly, we need to stop reacting to words and start looking at facts. Socialism by any other name is still socialism -- whether it is advocated by shrill zealots like Kucinich or by other Democrats whose words are smoother.

[nicmarlo]

If there was one defining moment in the debates among an already crowded field of Democrats seeking their party's presidential nomination in 2004, it may well have been when Congressman Dennis Kucinich, pushing for government-provided health care, spoke with obvious disgust of the "profits" of the insurance companies and provoked a burst of spontaneous applause from like-minded members of the audience.

That's an understatement of Kucinich's expression.....I'd say he spoke of profits, it was with anger and hatred. Great article. Thanks for posting.

[freeper12]

>>Why do so many Canadians come to the United States for medical treatment and so few Americans go to Canada?


I'd be interested in what statistics you have to backup that statement...sounds good, but is it true(and I am not saying its not, just never seen any proof)? If you count the number of people in the US that buy prescriptions in canada, I bet more americans use the canadian system than the other way around...except perhaps for the wealthy canadians...how many canadians really can afford expensive medical care and the travel costs to come here and pay out of pocket?

[bonesmccoy]

Profit margins which kill Americans are not appropriate.

I challenge you to explain why an HMO needs to have protected profitability while doctors, nurses, and staff are consistently put into bankruptcy.

[Ferret Fawcet]

anti- socialized medicine BUMP

[liberallarry]

ping for later read.

Don't know about Canada...but my German and French friends have repeatedly told me that high-end medicine for the wealthy is much better in the U.S., but the situation is reversed for the average person.

Surprisingly, average people in small rural communities seem to have better care than poor big-city dwellers.

[Tailgunner Joe]

bttt

[RJL]

Thomas Sowell, as always is spot on.

[RWG]

Like so many pretty words used in politics, "universal health care" is seldom examined in terms of what its actual track record has been in the countries where it has been tried...let's see the track record for members of congress, the military, illegals, and criminals in this country. From what I hear its pretty good coverage.