PRI: Public Radio International

Germans struggle to understand American resistance to healthcare reform

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:01:00 -0500

Germans have had a form of national healthcare for about 100 years. Conservative and liberals, employees and employers all embrace the national system as one that leads to a healthier, more productive workforce. So, when it comes to understanding the U.S. debate, they're left scratching their heads.

Douglas Robertson

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 09:23:14 -0500

Few Americans are intelligent enough to understand just how this proposed medical care plan is designed to work, because like bleating sheep, they fall for the propaganda flung by the opposition. Instead, it's am "I GOT MINE, SCREW YOU" philosophy. The "RELIGIOUS RIGHT'S Bible does not contain the word "CHARITY".

Mark

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 07:17:50 -0500

I think it is a matter of misinformation. Often the argument on one side in the US (i.e. Republicans) is made that the healthcare in the US is a) superior and that b) you would get to see a doctor faster. This is not true. Where did Bono, the head singer of U2 go, when he injured his back? He flew all the way to Germany, with a severely bad back - several thousand miles to get the treatment in Germany. While this is not a proper method of analysis, it just goes to show that each country does have very good healthcare, but more importantly, is that you compare apples and oranges. In Germany you get very good healthcare for no extra spending, BUT if you want to see a famous specialist that only accepts to see you if you pay more (i.e. the free market model), we have that as well, i.e. you can combine your public insurance with your private insurance, if you choose to do so and can afford it. So basically it gives you the very good cover for all, but still leaves you the option to see a famous specialist, or an "in" doctor, if you happen to be rich. And isn´t that what Republicans are afraid of? That if they should ever get rich in their life (which they won´t) that they would have to get regular, good healthcare and not get a bit better healthcare? They could under the German model.

Charles

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:27:51 -0500

This article, and the comments below completely miss the current topic of debate involving the health care bill. The argument isn't whether we should or should not have the health care bill, its whether it is constitutional to have the health care bill in its current state. As it stands, the health care bill gives the government the power to force you to buy something. If it was simply a 3rd option, (not having any, having a public sector supply insurance, or the government funded insurance) then it would not be nearly as hot of a topic. However, the basis for funding the health care bill comes from forcing people to buy it. That is Unconstitutional. That is where the terms communism and socialism get thrown around. This article does nothing but backhandedly bash the average Americans understanding of what is going on. Don't post such misleading articles..

Roy Henderson

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:50:32 -0500

It is likely that the Germans do not grassp the American Health Care dilema. For myself, an American, it took a trip to a Copenhagen bar...two Danes and a couple of beers. The two Danes pointedd oput that there seems to be "no guarantee of even minimal health care to the American citizen".

The two Danes further pointed out that for all the Danish discussion of American Health Care, "...it appears that your government is completely focused on the needs of the health insurance industry." As there is notation after notation for the health care industry and barely a token mention of citizen health, care or welfare.

The Dane's do not seem confused. The Germans may be confused because they expect health care for citizens, not financial care for the health industry.

This American agrees.

My Other Car's the Tardis

Thu, 03 May 2012 10:37:35 -0500

This headline could also read, "Americans struggle to understand American resistance to healthcare reform".

Aaron

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 11:16:10 -0500

@Douglas Robertson, good job at generalizing an entire nation with asinine comments that show you're less than intelligent than the people you speak of. If you want to make this political, the republicans have proposed several healthcare plans such as Rep. Ryan's plan. Americans are not opposed to healthcare, they are opposed to "Obamacare", the healthcare system that has been forced upon them. The supreme court had to call it a tax in order for it to be constitutional! The problem is that healthcare reform has become a political issue, and instead of uniting the country in finding a common solution, partisan bickering and a blanket solution forced by the current administration has in turn forced the American public to pick sides. The issue isn't really healthcare, its how Obamacare was written, voted on, and upheld in the Supreme Court. It was wrong how it was ram-rodded through congress, and then anyone who opposed it was labeled a right-wing fanatic. As an American, I whole-heartedly believe there should be some form of universal healthcare, but the healthcare system in its current form is wrong and must be changed.