France’s health care system is not socialized medicine. It is a mixture of public and private systems very similar to ours. Everybody has the same basic coverage which is financed by contributions from employers and employees. The government pays for the unemployed. Most people also buy supplemental insurance to cover things the basic coverage does not.
The French health care system is rated best in the world among developed nations. It costs about half what ours does. The US system rates about 17th in overall quality and is far and away the most expensive.
The French system is not perfect but it is much better than ours.
The socialized medicine is not the problem, it is the Federal socialized medicine. Running health care is not an enumerated power (neither are some other parts of the camel already in the tent). France is just one state in the European Union. If the EU took over health care for all the member states, you would have something like what Obama/Pelosi are pushing.
If you want good socialized healthcare and what not - then the Constitutional and sane way to do it is to pass such programs in each state. There will be choice, different approaches, and lots of comparing, just like we compare the various European states. Some states will likely remain havens for the rugged individualists among us.
Barbaratoo about 15 years ago
What?…dumb.
mivins about 15 years ago
That’s the idea, Barbaratoo. Complete non sequiturs from those opposed to the very idea of health care reform.
ejgocomics about 15 years ago
France’s health care system is not socialized medicine. It is a mixture of public and private systems very similar to ours. Everybody has the same basic coverage which is financed by contributions from employers and employees. The government pays for the unemployed. Most people also buy supplemental insurance to cover things the basic coverage does not.
The French health care system is rated best in the world among developed nations. It costs about half what ours does. The US system rates about 17th in overall quality and is far and away the most expensive.
The French system is not perfect but it is much better than ours.
stuart about 15 years ago
The socialized medicine is not the problem, it is the Federal socialized medicine. Running health care is not an enumerated power (neither are some other parts of the camel already in the tent). France is just one state in the European Union. If the EU took over health care for all the member states, you would have something like what Obama/Pelosi are pushing.
If you want good socialized healthcare and what not - then the Constitutional and sane way to do it is to pass such programs in each state. There will be choice, different approaches, and lots of comparing, just like we compare the various European states. Some states will likely remain havens for the rugged individualists among us.
Barbaratoo about 15 years ago
Am I mistaken - It looked to me like SHE was opposed to socialized medicine - NOT ME!