I wasn't going to comment, as it was none of my business - until I read, what I would consider, an invitation...
That's a straw man argument. Premier Danny Williams (like a state governor) made a puzzling, arguably unnecessary, choice in going to the US for his surgery. But, it's his money...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/its-my-health-its-my-choice-danny-williams-says/article1477872/
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2514581
http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/02/22/heres-hoping-danny-williams-got-canadian-style-heart-surgery/
Canadian health care has its problems, I won't deny it. However, I would
never trade our problems for those in the US. I understand that there is an underlying American mindset of "everyone for himself" and take responsibility for yourself. There is some merit to that attitude. That independent outlook is admirable - to an extent.
There have been far too many myths spread in the US about what a government (taxpayer)-funded system would be like. That nobody or far fewer people would take any responsibility for their own health, if they didn't have to pay out of pocket for their care, is one common myth in this thread. If that were true, why does the US already have the
fattest people on earth.
I'm not trying to dump on the US. I've traveled extensively in the US and I believe it's a great country. I also regard my fellow audioholics as friends.
Don't believe right-wing pundits, just because they say something you want to believe. You have to inform
yourselves. From what I gather, this health care bill is neither fish nor fowl and won't be the cure-all for US health care. My concern, is that it when it proves to be a bust, people will say "see, government involvement in health care doesn't work".
I wish you all the best!
