Even a right-winger like Sarkozy is surprised at the healthcare debate:
“Welcome to the club of states who don’t turn their back on the sick and the poor,” Sarkozy said, referring to the US health care overhaul signed by President Barack Obama last week.
From the European perspective, he said, “when we look at the American debate on reforming health care, it’s difficult to believe”.
“The very fact that there should have been such a violent debate simply on the fact that the poorest of Americans should not be left out in the streets without a cent to look after them… is something astonishing to us.”
Then to hearty applause, he added: “If you come to France and something happens to you, you won’t be asked for your credit card before you’re rushed to the hospital.”
For those many who need it, this is a good perspective view.
Reminds me of the British lady who approached my spouse in one of the beautiful squares of Savanah, GA and asked: “do sick and poor people die in America?” My lady was brief: “yes, they do.”
I had a close encounter with several European health care systems. The French is great. The Portuguese is also more than decent. No one asks for you insurance or credit card even when you visit a private hospital.
We still maintain slavery in many areas of our life in the US; health care is just one of them and the recent reform doesn’t eliminate slavery it just confines it somewhat.
Seems as though the Europeans Right is the American Left.