People seem to think there is only
the Canadian health care model. There are actually four different models and we have every one of them in this
country. There is the Canadian model, there is the British model, there is the Bismark model (used in Germany,
France and several other European countries and Japan), and the cash model, mostly found in 3rd world countries and
the US.
Every one of those models are found in use in this country. Are you a Native American or military
retiree? You've got the British model. Are you over 65? You've got the Canadian model. When the government was
setting up Medicare, not only did they use the model, they even used the same name!
Does your company provide you
with health insurance? In that case you fall under the Bismark model. Finally, do you have to pay cash for your
care? In that case you fall into the cash model found mostly in 3rd world countries. The only problem is most
Americans can't pay for their care with a chicken like the 3rd worlders can. And if you have a great health
insurance plan, plan on joining these poor souls if you lose your job unless you are independently wealthy and can
afford the COBRA payments.
Another thing most people don't realize is that the first health insurance companies
were founded as non profit agencies, just like the Bismark model uses today. That's right, Blue Cross/Blue
Shield were originally not for profit!
And, I love the arguments. "We have the best medical care in the
world". Sorry, we're number 37, a bit behind Columbia and just ahead of Cuba. Then there is the argument "I don't
want some bureaucrat rationing my care". Sorry, got health insurance? If so, you've already got a corporate
bureaucrat rationing your care making sure your care doesn't cut into profits.
One other thing that should be
noted is that health care is written into the Constitution of the United States. Just recite the preamble,
I'm sure you'll find it in there.
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