Health care reform in the USA

Ok, I know that this is a Spain blog and I normally write about things that happen to me while living here in Spain; however, I’m going to “steer off” the topic a bit to talk about something that I think is pretty important and is happening right now in my home country, the USA.  You guessed it – I’m talking about the great “Health Care Debate.” 

Living in Spain has made me realize something: we Americans are stupid for not having some form of public health care system in place.  You see, Spain has a two-tier health system in which there are public hospitals and doctors (which are free) and private hospitals and doctors (you need insurance to go there) and, in my opinion, the system works WONDERFULY.  Everyone here has the basic care they need under the government-run, public system and those who wish to buy a private insurance plan in order to have more choices of doctors and hospitals can do so if they are unhappy with the public system.  In my eyes, it’s a “win-win situation” for all involved, both the rich and the poor. 

The public heath care system in Spain also helps to keep the private system in check.  For example, if the private doctors and hospitals were to “cross the line” by charging too much for a treatment or service, they would loose patients to the public system, which provides the same quality care but is free.  More importantly, however, the public system here allows everyone in the country to have affordable access to health care when they need it.  There’s no such thing as waiting for insurance authorizations before surgery, co-pays, and “in-network” and “out-of-network” services like in the States. 

Truly, the Spanish don’t know how good they have it when it comes to health care.  I think it’s about time for us Americans to “wise up” and establish a plan that, like Spain’s, entitles everyone to health coverage they can afford while still allowing for individuals to make choices.   Maybe we don’t need to make a completely public health care system in the USA like what is here in Spain; but, we do need to do something and I think the government does need to take a more active role.  That’s why I support President Obama’s call for health care reform and hope that you too will show your support. 

If you are an American citizen, as the vast majority of my readers are, you can show your support for health care reform in the USA via this government website.  If you would like to share your ideas about health care reform with officials in Washington, you can use this government form. 

Hasta luego,
–Chris
http://abroadinspain.com