My Buddy has a wife from China and their experience in China is that Health-Care is free paid for by the additional taxes. So I was suprised when you mentioned insurance in China, but possibly this is only for E.R visits. Also their belief that you cannot be turned down for treatment or coverage in China like you can here in the U.S for the most serious of issues like in the well known movie “John Q” where his son is denied a heart transplant because lack of insurance and money.

My issue with Government Health Care is that I don’t believe I should have to pay the same taxes when I go to the Doctor maybe once in 5 years as someone who may go 12 times a year. That doesn’t seem like a fair way to do it, but at the same time I don’t think the right to live and die and treatment should ever be determined by the amount of money you have and nobody should be refused treatment when a treatment is available.

Maybe a fair way to do it would be to calculate all your doctor visits over the year and deduct your tax return and modify your personal income tax rate by how much you owe. “Just one possible solution”

I have had two US hospital experiences in my 70 years:

1. On Christmas Eve I had a bursitis attack in both my shoulders. Walk-in private emergency services closed, I went to a hospital. A cortisone shot at that time in the private walk-in service would have cost $25 each. The Emergency room bill came to $1065. Yet the conservatives advocate that we have “universal health care” because anyone can go to a non-profit hospital and get care. Then they complain about the cost of health, which is swollen by unnecessary visits to ERs.

2. I had an operation. Went home, got a blood clot in lung. That is, I figured that was the problem, took a shower, called doctor, he agreed and said to get a cab and rush to the emergency room (he had a surgery scheduled). He called to say they should admit me. I went to the desk, gave my name, doctor’s name, and said I had a blood clot in my lung. Problem: I looked really healthy, no bleeding, felt just fine as long as I did not lie down. Four hours later I was asked, in a sarcastic tone, “Why are you here?” I said “Blood clot in lung.” The person snorted with skepticism, “How do you know?” “My doctor said so.” Finally they let me see a doctor, who informed me that I probably just had a touch of pneumonia. I said, “No, not this pain, Very different, only there when I lie down, very localized and deep, not that I’ve ever had pneumonia.” Tests were run, then doctor in a scolding tone: “Do you realize that you have a blood clot in the lung, and that you could die any second?” “I answered cheerfully, “That’s what I’ve been saying for the last five hours.” Then the brouhaha: forced onto a gurney (thus causing huge pain), rolled off to room. Blah blah. Everything turned out fine.

Perhaps my article didn’t spend enough time chastising China’s healthcare. I can certainly validate Chaz’ description of some medical facilities/services. But my point here is just how ridiculous it is that — particularly when it comes to the payment scheme — America’s system shares more in common with China’s system than the system of many post-industrial, developed democratic countries. No more excuses; we need to reform healthcare.