I suppose it’s enviable that if you work in Washington DC you’re going to find yourself in a conversation about politics; I’ve found that peoples’ interest in political issues is far stronger here than I witnessed anywhere else in the world. I’ve meet and spoken to MPs and MSPs as part of my charity work and even those leaders of our political parties didn’t display nearly as much passion for politics as I experienced at a casual lunch with colleagues on Friday. Of course, our politicians do demonstrate their devotion at times, but here, the patriotic attitudes of the DC citizen can almost be felt in the air.
I sure everyone has read or heard of the debate surrounding Presidents Obama’s plans to reform the American healthcare system; this has evoked raw emotion all over the country, I have heard accounts from people for and against the reform and can see logic in many points being made. Constantly comparing the topic with our nation health service I was somewhat taken aback the messages being used in angry demonstrations; some of the anti- reform arguments, being reported by national news stations, include that the reform will result in millions of elderly being left without any means of healthcare (this agreement has been summarised into ‘this reform may kill granny’); that the reform is being used as a step towards changing the US into a socialist country; and that the American healthcare system is already working excellently and no changes of any sort are required.
Unfortunately, these demonstrations have highlight how easily passion can amalgamate into something more sinister; I do believe that the problem is lack of information and I think the President and his people need to take some responsibility for the situation in that clear information was not issued quickly enough and important details still aren’t clear.
On a broad level, the whole issue has made me think about the responsibility of the ‘messenger’ and how important it is to get actuate information before you decided upon personal conclusion especially if you then publicly announce those conclusions.
It would be great to heard other US interns experiences during this last few weeks in regards to the proposed reform; I suspect that geographical factors will be making a big difference and possibly even company policies maybe affecting reactions?
Hey Daisy, I am in Germany and have found myself discussing it qiute a lot too actually. Americans seem to be quick to say "go ask the British and Canadians if nationalised healthcare works" and seem to expect the answer to be ""nah it doesn't" and they are therefore somewhat shocked when Europeans launch into viscious defences of their nationalised healthcare systems.
The Europeans I have spoken to (and OBV as a Brit have joined in) are quick to point out that both the UN and the Commonwealth Fund (presitgious US healthcare research foundation) have placed the US healthcare system considerable lower than rival nationalised healthcare systems. The UN ranks the UK as 14th best health service all-round and the USA as 37th. The Commonwealth Fund ranked it last or next to last against 5 other industrialised nations (UK, NZ, Aus, Canada and Germany) in all categories which it examined.
Sure they may have some of the best healthcare facilities in the world, but what is the point in them if they make no impact. If they criticise universla health insurance suggest to them to do some research into the Swiss healthcare system - universal heathcare through private insurers being forced to offer a basic healthcare plan, choice between private and public professionals and facilities in the event of care and employers pay nothing into the system (less of a burden on their competiveness). In total the Swiss pay almost half the cost of the average US citizen on healthcare and the country has probably the strongest pharma industry in Europe.
The NHS lags behind on some key stats like waiting times, but when it comes to the point of the healthcare system; keeping the population overall healthy, it is ranked as being better than the USA (but behind Switzerland)
Incidentally France and Japan are ranked as the best and both are heavily government run, as are all the Scandinavian systems.
=D
Hey,
I am currently in Houston, Texas and this topic has come up alot with the five of us interns and other people that we work with, so it was very interesting you read your blog and following comments. Being in the South, lots of the opionions can be very one sided. I have to say one of things I have found most interesting/worrying is the difference between wacthing the 'facts' on CNN or on Fox news. They are both on an extreme from one another, I have spoken to many Americans that although they may have very strong political views know how one sided their news channels can be and infact only watch BBC. It is a really interesting subject and an exciting time to be in the USA, I look forward to learning more about it and hearing your comments.
Hi Daisy,
I'm Working out in Boston for an insurance company and have certainly heard some interesting 'facts' about the NHS. Healthcare reform is something that would probably be good for the average American but in my personal opinion too many companies stand to loose too much for Mr Obama to be able to get it through to it's full extent.
Whatever happens though it has certainly given me a new-found gratitude for the BBC and thier relatively impartial and unbiased coverage.
I find it really interesting that both Nina and Allan have commented on the contrast in reporting; I completely agree with both of you and my appreciation for our systems of news reporting has also grown as a result of comparing Fox and CNN. Actually today at breakfast tension rouse regarding this topic when one gentleman requested that the television be changed from CNN to Fox, overhearing this, another gentleman angrily argued against this. I had to leave before a result was reached but it summed up the difference between the two networks excellently.
Andrew, my personal view is very much in line with what you say. You certainly put a case forward in a refreshingly unbiased way! From what you say, it seems that the Swiss have combined the best of both systems; the White House’s latest statements appears to be using this ‘co-op’ resolution as the new focus for the reform debate. I wondering what different angles will be taken in regards to this latest development? Let the news channel alternating commence!
Actually I have been speaking recently to an American who voted for Obama and is generally pro-Democract and reform etc, but is against the healthcare refrom - from what she said the problem is essentially not that they don't necessarily want to have universal healthcare, rather that the American's don't trust their government to run anything - e.g. Medicaid/Medicare are broke, the DMV is grossly inefficient... They seem to have no efficient or successful state-owned or -controlled enterprises which would inspire them to trust the Administration with a universal healthcare programme.
They actually seemed to be slightly envious that Europe could have state-controlled enterprises such as the BBC, Swiss Federal Railways or France Telecom which worked well and delivered competitive results, whilst the USA didn't.