Best health care system in the world my fuckin ass!

[DissidentVoice]

90. We do not have a health care system

A system is coherent parts working together to produce a coherent whole.

Health care in the United States is a lot of things, but it isn't coherent in any sense of the word.

I live within walking distance of the Canadian border. Believe me, our hospitals are not full of sick Canadians who cannot get care because of the far right's beloved "waiting lists." In fact, there are quite a few of us cranky Yanks who go over there for cheaper care (especially dental)...we have to pay for it, but it's worlds cheaper because the rates are regulated, unlike the "free market" bullshit we keep being told is so wonderful.

A college friend of mine told me that when he was touring in Europe as a musician, he was in the Netherlands and copped a case of food poisoning. He was taken to the nearest ER where he was seen by an English-speaking doctor immediately, written a prescription that he filled in the hospital pharmacy and went on his way. There was no charge for the hospital visit, despite the fact that he was neither Dutch nor a Netherlands resident. The prescription cost was quite minimal.

Until we get over the FICTION in this country that health care is just another commodity to be bought and sold, nothing will change.

Unfortunately, I don't think anything will move in that direction unless there is a large-scale popular revolt, meaning:

People stop paying medical bills en masse.

If that were to happen, there would be no way already-overworked courts could keep up with the overload.

The non-system would collapse, as it's needed to for a long time.