Sickos

Due to a series of unfortunate events, I am once again one of the 47 million Americans without health insurance. Health insurance angers me for many, many reasons. It seems ridiculous that in a prosperous, industrialized country I cannot afford to go to the doctor. Yes, I could pay for my own health insurance, but I've done that. Have you ever purchased your own health insurance? Insurance policies that actually have benefits are expensive and the inexpensive policies don't actually cover anything.

It's no secret that health insurance companies have a tremendous amount of power in this country. They have the power to decide whether or not you go to the doctor, which doctor you can visit, what prescriptions you can take and how often, and most importantly, have the power to deny you coverage because of a "pre-existing condition", even if that pre-existing condition is as benign as taking Ambien for sleep issues.

So - what the hell, America?! Why do we allow for-profit corporations decide whether we go to the dentist or buy new glasses or finally get those chest pains checked out? Why do we live in fear that if we do get those chest pains checked out, and there is something there, that we later will have a difficult time getting insurance to cover it?

Is it because we are afraid of the alternative? Does a government-ran health care system ignite fears of tumbling into a communist society? Do we think the government would do a terrible job? Doctors not paid enough? Visions of lines and lines waiting for hours to see a doctor?

Other countries, who by the way are not communist countries, manage to provide their citizens health care. The United Kingdom, for example, provides health care to its citizens through its National Health Service. The NHS is generally free for UK residents. There are fees for prescriptions and dentist and optical visits. Of course, the NHS is not without its problems, but obviously our private system has its share of bugs. In fact, according to a report released by the World Health Organization, while the U.S. spends a higher portion of its GDP than any other country on its health care, the U.K. only spends 6%. The UK's system is 18th on the WHO's ranking of world health systems. The U.S. is 37th (actually we are only two spots ahead of Cuba, an actual communist country).

France, the number 1 country on the list, also enjoys universal health care. I've experienced the French system firsthand, well, second hand, when my travel buddy fell ill in Bordeaux. A nurse traveled to our hotel and treated her - at no expense and no waiting time.

So, what about me and the millions of Americans just like me? Move to France? Well, Obama/Biden are offering a national health insurance with guaranteed eligibility, comprehensive benefits, and affordable premiums. Sounds good to me. I'm not totally clear what McCain/Palin are offering, but part of his plan is to offer tax credits to offset the cost of insurance. Sounds good too, but I'd rather just have health care than a tax credit.

In the meantime maybe I'll pick up new health insurance soon...or maybe just move to France.