Socialist Health Plan? In Norway, Obama's Plan Not Even Close

[Joanne98]

by George Lakey

If Michael Steele and the Republicans really believe that President Obama is proposing a socialist health plan, they need to get out more.

I've just returned from a research trip to Norway, where their universal health system really is socialist. It's also much less expensive than the current U.S. system, so maybe the Republicans would like it if they checked it out. The non-socialists in Norway support it because it works so well, especially compared with "the bad old days" of private medicine, when even the doctors' association advocated for socialized medicine as the only affordable way to make quality care available to all Norwegians.

One reason Norwegians like their system is that it's pro- economic innovation because it's not tied to the employer. Norwegians are free to change jobs for more challenging opportunities, or try their wings as entrepreneurs, because they don't have to worry about insurance - it's with them wherever they go. Economist Jonathan Gruber of MIT is one of many economists who believe that U.S. employer-tied health insurance is a drag on progress. But Obama's plan accepts the status quo even though it might not be affordable.

Norwegians like their system because it cuts red tape. The patient-doctor relationship isn't complicated by multiple insurances; if you need care, you get it as a matter of right. No bills to pay, no plans to juggle, no worry about your dependents, and no worry about your becoming a burden to your children.

Continued>>>
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/07/21-12

[Cleita]

1. The bottom line is the bottom line meaning socialized health care whether it's

like Medicare or like the VA is far less costly and more comprehensive than this hybrid and unworkable plan of combining privateer insurance and corporate health care management with government subsidies that is boiling up from of Congress.

:thumbsdown:

[MNDemNY]

2. But what of the poor little children???

You know, the ones that are dreaming to grow up and deny health care to others?? Do you ever think about them??? No, you do not. Selfish.

[ihavenobias]

3. K & R n/t

[harun]

4. But who would give the Politicians millions of dollars for their political

campaigns if we had a Health Care system that wasn't completely corrupted by greed?

:sarcasm:

[truedelphi]

5. Here is the YouTube from Michael Moore on Norway

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4L6-0WRfSA&feature=related

You have to wait to about the two minute mark to hear abt Noraway.

[Wednesdays]

6. K&R

:kick:

[Fearless]

7. So long as politicians listen to their pocketbooks and not their constituents...

We will never have a functioning country. It isn't about health care or war or abortion or anything like that. It's all about money.