Controversial Michael Moore Flick 'Sicko' Will Compare U.S. Health Care with Cuba's

Nurses Activism

Published

Health care advances in Cuba

According to the Associated Press as cited in the Post article, "Cuba has made recent advancements in biotechnology and exports its treatments to 40 countries around the world, raking in an estimated $100 million a year. ... In 2004, the U.S. government granted an exception to its economic embargo against Cuba and allowed a California drug company to test three cancer vaccines developed in Havana."

http://alternet.org/envirohealth/50911/?page=1

Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
I would really be interested in seeing how many people who oppose UHC received/are receiving need-based financial aid (Pell grants, etc.) in nursing school. Is this not another social program that enables people to lift themselves up, better themselves, thus bettering society as a whole? How is this different from UHC in principle?

OK. I'm consistent. I paid for college 100% out of my pocket, as hubby and I do for our healthcare.

So, when you start nursing school, are you going to get need-based financial aid? These would be socialist programs, would they not? Have you filled out a FAFSA?

I would really be interested in seeing how many people who oppose UHC received/are receiving need-based financial aid (Pell grants, etc.) in nursing school. Is this not another social program that enables people to lift themselves up, better themselves, thus bettering society as a whole? How is this different from UHC in principle?

Yes you make great points, In the long run they aid in the eventual collapse. It is sad that it is to the point that many could not afford education without at the same time promoting socialism and the eventual destruction of our society and economy (as is historicly proven and currently near such a point). Many are between a rock and a hard place and many have chosen a little temporary security over freedom which will eventually lead to neither. It is great that people work to improve their situation, my concern is the lack of sound education of economic and forieng policy and lack of desire to correct such. I can not argue much in light of the fact that our entire economy is based on a fraudulent monetary system that has led us to this point and must be corrected to avoid the near future consequences.

Please let me know what industry that the Federal Government has taken over and made it more functional and economic? Lets see? Postal Office? - NO. Public School System? - NO. IRS? - They're always fun - NO.

Why do 85% of the people who are happy with the current system have to give it up for 15%. And my husband is from Germany, I have a friend from Romania and Canada, none of them think National Health-Care is a good idea. They all have personal horror stories and are all young and in good health. I can't imagine what they would be saying if they were older and/or in poorer health.

Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
Yes you make great points, In the long run they aid in the eventual collapse. It is sad that it is to the point that many could not afford education without at the same time promoting socialism and the eventual destruction of our society and economy (as is historicly proven and currently near such a point).

This was also said in the 1970's when our economy was way worse than it is now.

Many are between a rock and a hard place and many have chosen a little temporary security over freedom which will eventually lead to neither.

Not so. I initially received need-based financial aid when I was in LPN school. That enabled me to work as a nurse, and to obtain merit-based (read capitalist) financial awards later on for the RN program, and now for the BSN program (in addition to out-of-pocket). I also now make enough to pay out-of-pocket for family health insurance. These outcomes are what you have defined as freedom, are they not? And, BTW, I don't feel like I have more freedom of choice in these areas than before.

It is great that people work to improve their situation, my concern is the lack of sound education of economic and forieng policy and lack of desire to correct such. I can not argue much in light of the fact that our entire economy is based on a fraudulent monetary system that has led us to this point and must be corrected to avoid the near future consequences.

I took a required health care economics course for my BSN program. It was taught by someone who was not for UHC, but did welcome all view points on the subject to be voiced.

If you think about it, what monetary system is not fraudulent? We could go back to paying our doctors with chickens.

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
This was also said in the 1970's when our economy was way worse than it is now.

Wasnt that after another illegal war, just like this one.

very well stated! Where have you been hiding? I have missed your posts!
Thanks, Ive been ill and without health insurance its been impossible to access the care I need at this time. I guess I am a prime example of what happens to a person with a chronic illness that cant afford Cobra payment.Universal healthcare would have allowed me to go and see the doctors who treat the specific problems that are affecting my health so seriously at this time.My eye condition has become worse due to inflammatory ocular disease which could have been better controlled could I have seen a rheumatologist.
OK. I'm consistent. I paid for college 100% out of my pocket, as hubby and I do for our healthcare.

except that your schooling cost was partially subsidized by tax dollars. Ie no student pays 100% of the cost of tuition there is essentially always some taxpayer involvement in paying for the cost of higher education. This is not an attack it is just put out to place some context about the finance end of higher ed.

Health insurance by definition is pooled risk. Some people will pay for more than consume while others will consume far more than they contribute through premiums. A tax based system will deliver better care at lower cost per individual.

As my grandmother the ex-republican turned scandinavian socialist put it "Its better to make enough money to pay taxes."

please let me know what industry that the federal government has taken over and made it more functional and economic? lets see? postal office? - no. public school system? - no. irs? - they're always fun - no.

why do 85% of the people who are happy with the current system have to give it up for 15%. and my husband is from germany, i have a friend from romania and canada, none of them think national health-care is a good idea. they all have personal horror stories and are all young and in good health. i can't imagine what they would be saying if they were older and/or in poorer health.

the po is a bargain. for 40 cents you can mail a 1 oz letter anywhere in the us. (no private sector entity will make that guarantee.)

public schools do need improvement but it is in the area of closing achievement gaps for very specific groups. (spec ed, minorities etc.)

i think it is nuts to say that 85% of the population of the us is happy with the current system. we spend way too much money on care vs prevention activities. by having uninsured patients we increase the cost of care which does lead to increased costs for you. the us rations care as it is through denial of coverage and transplant by bake sales. i could survey any system and find disaffected patients. the vast majority of patients in single payer countries are quite happy with their coverage btw.

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won't this result in rationing like in canada?

the u.s. supreme court recently established that rationing is fundamental to the way managed care conducts business. rationing in u.s. health care is based on income: if you can afford care you get it, if you can't, you don't. a recent study by the prestigious institute of medicine found that 18,000 americans die every year because they don't have health insurance. that's rationing. no other industrialized nation rations health care to the degree that the u.s. does.

if there is this much rationing why don't we hear about it? and if other countries do not ration the way we do, why do we hear about them? the answer is that their systems are publicly accountable and ours is not. problems with their health care systems are aired in public, ours are not. in u.s. health care no one is ultimately accountable for how it works. no one takes full responsibility.

the rationing that takes place in u.s. health care is unnecessary. a number of studies (notably the general accounting office report in 1991, and the congressional budget office report in 1993) show that there is more than enough money in our health care system to serve everyone if it were spent wisely. administrative costs are far higher in the u.s. than in other countries' systems. these inflated costs are directly tied to our failure to have a publicly-financed, universal health care system. we spend at least twice more per person than any other country, and still find it necessary to deny health care.

http://www.pnhp.org/facts/singlepayer_faq.php#canada_ration

this was also said in the 1970's when our economy was way worse than it is now.

reply...

i am unsure what you have incorrectly used to measure the economy. its far worse.

not so. i initially received need-based financial aid when i was in lpn school. that enabled me to work as a nurse, and to obtain merit-based (read capitalist) financial awards later on for the rn program, and now for the bsn program (in addition to out-of-pocket). i also now make enough to pay out-of-pocket for family health insurance. these outcomes are what you have defined as freedom, are they not? and, btw, i don't feel like i have more freedom of choice in these areas than before.

reply...

thats great for you now, but has placed future generations further in debt, aided the continual loss of middle class

i took a required health care economics course for my bsn program. it was taught by someone who was not for uhc, but did welcome all view points on the subject to be voiced.

if you think about it, what monetary system is not fraudulent? we could go back to paying our doctors with chickens.

reply...

the constitutional monetary system

Wasnt that after another illegal war, just like this one.

Nice!

Wasnt that after another illegal war, just like this one.

Our economy can be compared to a giant credit card. If there is a war, more money is borrowed from the future generations that must repay.

WAR= heavy borrowing from the bank which results in more money supply in the economy. Like a Credit card it continues to increase the minimum payment due and the interest on the amount due with little or none going to the principle.

Yeah, I think Tom gets that.

Our economy can be compared to a giant credit card. If there is a war, more money is borrowed from the future generations that must repay.

WAR= heavy borrowing from the bank which results in more money supply in the economy. Like a Credit card it continues to increase the minimum payment due and the interest on the amount due with little or none going to the principle.

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