But ultimately, I don’t think it matters if he’s from Mars–I think his critique of our healthcare is accurate. You’re focusing on the belief that he’s Israeli, I
am focusing on the accuracy of his statements and his critique.

Why? Our system is increasingly unaffordable, insurance premiums are skyrocketing, fewer people are covered, people are denied healthcare who don’t have insurance.

An example, me. I am on a Cobra policy which will expire in 6 months, and my present job pays no benefits. After Cobra runs out–which is $450/month–the only insurance available to me will be through a state high risk program at $1020/month. Why? because I am 57 and have high blood pressure, thus an “uninsurable”.

To some extent I am “fortunate” to live in one of the 30 or so states that have a high-risk pool. The others don’t.

In fact, I would guess that the majority of people my age will have some “pre-existing condition” which excludes them from coverage in the present system, i.e., the private market. It’s simple cherry-picking.

Since I cannot afford to pay over $12,000/yr in premiums, I will become uninsured. Fortunately, my state also has very generous bankruptcy exemptions, so my financial planning as I drift into senior citizenship will focus on making sure my house will be protected under bankruptcy laws.”

Slim, I don’t think it matters whether the man was allowed to become a citizen or not. A comparison between the two systems doesn’t make sense, since Israel’s system/economy is propped by the American taxpayer. I personally don’t care what immigrants think of the nation, anyway.

I do wish you the best with your health. But I don’t know what people want when they talk of health care reform. Sure there is plenty of waste and fraud in every corner of American life, but I don’t blame it all on private industry, or a lack of regulation. Who doesn’t expect health care prices to rise when the nation allows untold millions of people who are unable to truly support themselves at U.S. standards to flood the nation–immigrants are given care, and often at ERs. Combine that with indigent care and medicare and medicaide, and prices are bound to rise, which will be reflected in rising insurance costs and higher taxes.

I think the system provides good care to most people, and does as well as can be expected. Besides the money doesn’t exist to provide the care that one gets from the private sector to everyone, and that is the case in the other advanced nations that I know of which have privatized systems– and not one (Israel included) is the size of the U.S.

I think that Americans should concentrate more on living a healthier lifestyle than anything else. Corruption, ideology and inefficiency aside, many health-related problems stem from a bad lifestyle, and covering those problems is reflected in my premiums.

But ultimately, I don’t think it matters if he’s from Mars–I think his critique of our healthcare is accurate. You’re focusing on the belief that he’s Israeli, I
am focusing on the accuracy of his statements and his critique.

Why? Our system is increasingly unaffordable, insurance premiums are skyrocketing, fewer people are covered, people are denied healthcare who don’t have insurance.

An example, me. I am on a Cobra policy which will expire in 6 months, and my present job pays no benefits. After Cobra runs out–which is $450/month–the only insurance available to me will be through a state high risk program at $1020/month. Why? because I am 57 and have high blood pressure, thus an “uninsurable”.

To some extent I am “fortunate” to live in one of the 30 or so states that have a high-risk pool. The others don’t.

In fact, I would guess that the majority of people my age will have some “pre-existing condition” which excludes them from coverage in the present system, i.e., the private market. It’s simple cherry-picking.

Since I cannot afford to pay over $12,000/yr in premiums, I will become uninsured. Fortunately, my state also has very generous bankruptcy exemptions, so my financial planning as I drift into senior citizenship will focus on making sure my house will be protected under bankruptcy laws.

I wouldn’t be surprised if U.S. representatives would foot the bill for better care for IDF forces than they would provide for U.S. soldiers. I live about an hour away from a major army base, and about a year into the Iraq war, many of the army wives were running into financial trouble because the military was dragging its feet on combat pay. I’ll never forget watching one of the MSM media channels do an awkward report on the protesting army wives, and then turn around and cover Ariel Sharon’s demands for an increase in aid to Israel-which was granted-as if Sharon’s mission were somehow heroic.

What’s your specific gripe about healthcare in the U.S.? And what system system do you believe is better?

Who cares if he’s Israeli or a Zionist? That has zilch to do with the US healthcare system.

The IDF? I wouldn’t be surprised whatsoever if Israel has better military healthcare than the US. Is that glorifying the IDF? Hardly.

Regarding elites – individuals can be judged by their actions, with sufficient data. Kathleen raises the issue of accountability, which I agree needs to be a focus of attention. As V says, to resist is a moral imperative. How to do so effectively is where we are. We are part of an amorphous movement that resists the impunity claimed by the Israeli government. How do we resist the assertion of ‘might makes right’ by those who direct so much within our own nation? My experience is that if one can ask the right question at the right time, change follows.

Is now a moral imperative, not a subject for debate.

And don’t take that the wrong way!