On THANKSGIVING DAY 2009

Posted on December 1 at 8:27 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Dear John,

Oh my dear, what an experience you have been through! Thank goodness you are back home and well!

I've lived abroad in Europe for the past 14 years and can speak to the benefits of 'socialized' medicine.

First: it works! You may have to wait a few weeks or months for an x-ray /MRI, but you will eventually get one for the fraction of the cost a private doctor would charge you. If that doesn't suit your needs, you can pay a lot of money and go private. In fact, most 'public health' doctors also have thriving practices. Citizens over here too also utilize both sectors.

Example: my son was born with some heart problems. We took him to the children's hospital and did not have to pay for a cardiological visit! Can you imagine raising a generation of healthy children? Vaccinations are free for people who make under (approx) $17,000 a year. If you make more than that, you pay a percentage that comes to something like $25 per vaccination.

Where does all the money come from? Taxes. But, knowing that if I ever have an emergency and need to go to a hospital, I won't have to worry about paying back a skyrocket bill.

What are the other benefits? I don't pay for pediatrician visits, nor the family doctor visits. ALL PEOPLE have access.

What are the downsides? You may have to get a second opinion from the private sector.

As an American living abroad, I always thought paying a lot for healthcare was normal. Now, I don't agree so much with that idea. Denying healthcare to those who need it is exclusionary and simply creates more costs to the system since that denied patient's situation could worsen.

Overall, much more attention needs to be placed on prevention and healthy, active lifestyles.

(On a side note, Mr. E. I love your use of all caps at times. The first time I read one of your blogs and saw them, I could immediately hear your voice from the Parker HS classroom emphasizing points here and there. THANK YOU!)