Lessons from across the pond

Recently, I spent a wonderful weekend afternoon with a young couple from England.  They were enjoying a three week honeymoon through the US.  He's a police officer in a middle sized community in England.  She is a school teacher. 
 
Together, they are a model British couple, who both work in public occupations.  They each have the public health care available to all British citizens, not just those who work in the public sector.  BUT, they also have purchased private health insurance.  Why?   

As they explained, "Private Health Insurance gets them access."  The young lad's mother needed two knee replacements. No problem.  Knee replacements were available immediately........UNLESS one didn't have Private Insurance.  Then it was a TWO year wait!    

While supporters of national health care USED to point to Canada and England as models of health care systems that work, increasingly, their words are becoming muted by these systems that are truly failing.   In these "model" countries, private insurance is the "safety net" for inadequate PUBLIC health care. 

Obama wants to eliminate the private option in his US plan (except for government employees and unions, of course).  Thus taking away even the safety net. 

Some in Washington hope that taking the health care issue off the front page for a few days, might diminish the uproar over the pending legislation.  Given the nationwide Tea Party planned for September 12th, the question of socializing America is not going away anytime soon.

Don't forget, Effingham's regional event is being held on Saturday, September 12th at 2:00 pm. - Effingham County Courthouse. 
Organizer Brian Milleville continues to "hit it out of the park" with his daily blog: downstateiladvocate.com.  Check it out - every day!
 

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