Image via WikipediaWhen I think of words to describe the U.S. Healthcare system, the word "evil" has never entered my mind. But to our young friend Justin Bieber, it's evil. Recently, I don't know how this could come up, but Justin Bieber commented on the U.S. Healthcare System. Here's what he told the Rolling Stone magazine when asked if he would switch from being Canadian to a US citizen. Bieber says:
"You guys are evil. Canada's the best country in the world. We go to the doctor and we don't need to worry about paying him, but here, your whole life, you're broke because of medical bills. My bodyguard's baby was premature, and now he has to pay for it. In Canada, if your baby's premature, he stays in the hospital as long as he needs to, and then you go home."
Even though he is only 16 years old he does have his opinions. I did not know he was a Canadian. He has grown up in a country that has socialized medicine. He believes it is a good thing. Lets remember that because of his youth he has a very limited knowledge of finances and paying your own way. Also remember he is being sympathetic to his body guards situation. He is coming from a good heart.
By his comments, I believe he is not that involved with his personal finances. Someday when he is old enough to take an interest in his tax returns, he may think differently. His future looks bright, with music, TV and movies in his future. He will be making obscene amounts of money and paying obscene amounts of tax. He may wonder when that day comes where his money is going to. That day hopefully he'll put 2 and 2 together and realize that his Canadian Healthcare System is not so free anymore.
He will be rich enough to get his healthcare in US like many other Canadians if he becomes seriously ill and needs immediate treatment.
ReplyDeleteFrom the mouth of nitwits come nitwiticisms. But he's only 16 and living in a bubble. He has a lot to learn.
I have to say that there a lot of people that are older and wiser than Justin who just cannot believe how the US treats is own citizens when it comes to healthcare. In Australia, Canada, UK, health care is a basic human right, not dependent on employment, insurance or having good genes. I think you'll find Justins views are held by a lot of people around the world.
ReplyDeleteAs an American who was able to live in Europe for many years and was able to experience the German medical system, I have to say that as a taxpayer who is financally savvy and an early retiree that I think the US medical system is certainly broken, if not eveil. We are, after all, the only "civilized" "western" country without universal health care.
ReplyDeleteI am with Barb and Louise.
ReplyDeleteAs a military wife I always had socialized medicine. Guess what? it didn't matter if you were a private or a general- you got care. In turn I feel my children were taken care of BEFORE they needed expensive medicine. I rarely use the system, because of my great genes(thanks mom)BUT the few times I have- I have been cared for in excellent fashion.
I have a mother who got hip surgery (78) but a brother who could not get his cataract removed because he made too much for medicare- but too little for $400 a month health insurance. A friend's mom (72) got major chemo (which they thought probably wouldn't work) and died 3 months later- but the family had a premi and was bankrupted by the costs. Two of my nephews have had to declare bankruptcy over medicine----they both are now pharmacists.
It is a STUPID system where we ONLY take care of the elderly and desperately poor. It needs to be fixed!
Fascinating! Not only do many folks share Bieber's opinion, but he really is correct. Our healthcare system is a travesty--worthy of some moderately well-off third world country, but not what a citizen should expect in a world leader. We are so afraid of the word 'socialized' that we ignore the great benefits to be had. I love comments about Canadians prefering our system--I don't know where those Canadians are, because I never met them. The ones I've met just shake their heads when I bring up my medical expenses.
ReplyDelete@Grouch, @Louise, @Barb, @Janette, @Grace
ReplyDeleteThanks for those great comments. I appreciate your candor. The benefits of a national healthcare would be great for all. It would really make sense with catastrophic illnesses. The aversion to a national healthcare by some people is intense.
I'll play devils advocate for a moment and list a few problems. Some people are afraid of the unknown costs and how it will be paid for. They feel a loss of freedom when the government is the sole source of healthcare. Some people don't trust or care to have the government involved with healthcare. They feel it's a loss of freedom.
With all this said, why do people trust Social Security and Medicare. Shouldn't we have as strong aversion to those entities?
But with S.S. and Medicare funding a political target a fear of the loss of coverage is a core fear. If our actual lives are in the hands of the government, I even fear a bureaucrat making decisions about my health and my loved ones.
All in all it's a highly charged issue with people. Their fears and insecurities are showing. It's strange that in the U.S. we feel so advanced in our knowledge yet we can't come together on such a crucial necessity.
Thanks to all for your comments. They have enlighten me.