This piece in USA Today takes a look at European Health systems and – no surprises – concludes that while they’re far from perfect they work.
The concept of free, state-run health care has been enshrined in Europe for generations. Europeans have built health systems so inclusive that even illegal immigrants are entitled to free treatment beyond just emergency care. Europeans have some of the world’s best hospitals, and have made great strides in fighting problems like obesity and heart disease.
President Obama wants an overhaul of the American health care system but it won’t happen without a struggle. In the land of the free there’s a near universal antipathy towards handing power to the federal government. Surely tragic stories like this should convince anyone that the US system has to be fixed and fast?
