U.S. health care the best

Originally posted by sh76


No one ever said "bring us you needy people who are already free so they can get handouts."

I think you've hit the nail on the head with that comment.

The difference between the US and most of the rest of the world is that the rest of the world doesn't think health care is a "handout".

😞

Originally posted by sh76
Nobody ever said "bring us your needy." What the poem says is bring us "your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." The assumption is that the huddled masses will work to improve our society once they get here and become free.

No one ever said "bring us you needy people who are already free so they can get handouts." I believe the appropriate line instead is "Feed your own needy."

Yeah that poem has been quoted so often that people think it's somehow written into the constitution that America is supposed to be some kind of dumping ground for the world's masses and we have to have an open door policy for anyone from anywhere. To argue against it is considered some kind of treason.

Originally posted by uzless
I recently visited the united states...various states on a lengthy trip. The thing that stood out the most to me was the amount of elderly people that had jobs. Not good jobs. Cashiers mostly. Cashiers in dollars stores, clothing stores, hell even a liquor store. Finally, I asked a very old lady in San Diego, California (who had to be in her 90's) why s ...[text shortened]... er state.

The US system may provide good treatment, just make sure your wallet is full.

That is sad.

I wonder why Medicare and/or Medicaid wouldn't cover her treatment.

Originally posted by uzless
I think you've hit the nail on the head with that comment.

The difference between the US and most of the rest of the world is that the rest of the world doesn't think health care is a "handout".

😞

Really, now?

If I'm not a citizen of, say, Sweden, can I just walk into any Stockholm hospital and get all the treatment I want for free?

Or, do I have to be a legal resident in that country to get free healthcare?

Originally posted by uzless
I recently visited the united states...various states on a lengthy trip. The thing that stood out the most to me was the amount of elderly people that had jobs. Not good jobs. Cashiers mostly. Cashiers in dollars stores, clothing stores, hell even a liquor store. Finally, I asked a very old lady in San Diego, California (who had to be in her 90's) why s ...[text shortened]... er state.

The US system may provide good treatment, just make sure your wallet is full.

Fascinating story.

Odd how I've lived in the US all my life and never seen anything like what you describe.

Originally posted by Sam The Sham
Fascinating story.

Odd how I've lived in the US all my life and never seen anything like what you describe.

Neither have I.

Originally posted by Sam The Sham
Fascinating story.

Odd how I've lived in the US all my life and never seen anything like what you describe.

what state? Are you in the north?

I was mostly in the South. California/texas/florida/louseyanna/georgia/carolinas


EDIT: Keep in mind, the places you go in your own state are likely not the same places that tourists go so you might just not see it.

EDIT 2: Also, there are 50 million Americans who don't have health care coverage. I'm surprised you haven't seen any of them considering that works out to about 1 in 8 Americans that don't have health coverage. Granted, they are not all old people, but also include young children.

Originally posted by uzless
what state? Are you in the north?

I was mostly in the South. California/texas/florida/louseyanna/georgia/carolinas

That could be a difference. "Red" states tend to fund programs less than "blue" states. Of course, CA is a blue state. but, then again, they're bankrupt anyway.

Originally posted by Sam The Sham
Fascinating story.

Odd how I've lived in the US all my life and never seen anything like what you describe.

I thought it was hilarious. Kind of reminded me of Ted Kennedy's story in the recent edition of TIME, where he picks the $47 salary of a mayor in what has to be the smallest town in America as an example of someone unable to pay medical bills.

Originally posted by uzless
EDIT 2: Also, there are 50 million Americans who don't have health care coverage. I'm surprised you haven't seen any of them considering that works out to about 1 in 8 Americans that don't have health coverage. Granted, they are not all old people, but also include young children.

What makes it surprising is specifically that you're referring to older people.

Older people are eligible for Medicare and Social Security and, if they're retired, to Medicaid as well.

Originally posted by sh76
Really, now?

If I'm not a citizen of, say, Sweden, can I just walk into any Stockholm hospital and get all the treatment I want for free?

Or, do I have to be a legal resident in that country to get free healthcare?

Of course you need to be a citizen. Canada is the same way. You have to live here in order to not have to pay medical bills. Tourists do not receive free health care here, but immigrants and refugees do.

Originally posted by SlyArmenian
I thought it was hilarious.

I'm not surprised.

Originally posted by uzless
Of course you need to be a citizen. Canada is the same way. You have to live here in order to not have to pay medical bills. Tourists do not receive free health care here, but immigrants and refugees do.

Exactly; so your whole point about "bring me your needy" for healthcare does not reference a scenario that would be any different under all these systems where healthcare is considered a "right" and not a handout.

Originally posted by uzless
what state? Are you in the north?

I was mostly in the South. California/texas/florida/louseyanna/georgia/carolinas


EDIT: Keep in mind, the places you go in your own state are likely not the same places that tourists go so you might just not see it.

EDIT 2: Also, there are 50 million Americans who don't have health care coverage. I'm surprised ...[text shortened]... ave health coverage. Granted, they are not all old people, but also include young children.

It's hard to determine a stat like that, especially in California, considering that probably 3 in 8 Southern Californian's are illegal, not to mention that 3 in 8's 5 kids.

Originally posted by uzless
EDIT 2: Also, there are 50 million Americans who don't have health care coverage. I'm surprised you haven't seen any of them considering that works out to about 1 in 8 Americans that don't have health coverage. Granted, they are not all old people, but also include young children.[/b]

it's not like people who lack healthcare coverage go around wearing signs saying "I don't have any healthcare insurance!!"