Universal Healthcare

 

Healthcare solution may lie in the opposite direction

 

Published 1/1/08

 

In his December 21 letter “Every American deserves ‘the best health care in the world” Don Lanquist stated, in reference to a comment I made in a previous letter, that the “illusion” of universal health care existed here in America, and that it is called “corporate health insurance.”

 

I heartily agree with him, except that I’d probably add several more reasons for the complexity of our country’s health care mess.

Where I disagree with Mr. Lanquist is in his faith in national healthcare schemes.  From what I’ve read, countries that have such programs still have great trouble meeting costs.  Without the American hospitals on their border, many Canadians would wait weeks or months for tests and surgeries due to the necessity of rationing services.  I’ve read of the same problems in Britain and France.

We should remember that the seed of communism was sown during the Industrial Revolution, when the numerous (and shocking) downsides of capitalism were exposed.  Unfortunately, in placing control of everything in a distant, central location, the communists simply replaced the rich, corporate oppressors with rich governmental oppressors.

I think the answer, if there is one, will be found in looking in the opposite direction.  Mr. Lanquist mentioned how the Founders dreamed of a “united country.”  Actually, their vision would have had the bulk of “government services” administered at the county level, which was, indeed, exactly what was beginning to develop.  Mississippi’s county hospitals are remnants of that.  The Great Depression and the slew of federal welfare programs that it spawned killed that idea.

After Katrina, many Coastians discovered the necessity (and joy) of working together and taking care of each other in order to ensure the survival of all.  Perhaps once the retirement of the Baby Boomer generation bankrupts our system of federal programs, we’ll discover it again.