Socialize Medicine and Everything Else (note to Tech:
Format This as a Non-bulletin Article but with Notation at the End That

Sep 8, 2003

There’s been a discussion going on lately in Bluesweek about whether or not there’s a need for universal health care. Some management people have argued that health care is not a right that people should expect. They point to countries that have national health care and point out that it’ s inefficient.

In fact, whatever problems there are in countries that have national health systems, those countries still have better overall health statistics than does the United States. The U.S. ranks way down on the list of industrialized countries in life expectancy and rankings for infant mortality, despite being the richest country in the world. And if there are problems with the medical care in those countries, it’s because they are still societies based on profit. Drug and medical supply companies, banks and others still profit from health care there. And the very wealthy still don’t pay their share of taxes in those countries.

Breathing and food might not be considered rights either, but they’re necessary to life, just as is medical care. With the wealth and knowledge in the world today, there’s no reason people have to go without the basic necessities, except that we live in a society based on profit. It’s only a very few wealthy families that reap the real benefits of the system.

Workers produce all of the wealth. Why should any of us have to beg for the basic necessities?

Report from Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Detroit, MI.