Obamacare Versus NHS

In the spirit of full disclosure, I won't claim to know too terribly much about what's been going on with the healthcare debate back home. Honestly, it's all I can do to listen to it from across The Pond. However, Brian forwarded me an email he received from our State Representative in Florida (which is where we're registered to vote). I found it very interesting:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jeff Miller (R-FL-01) issued the following statement following the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act:

“After over a year of trying to ram through a trillion dollar government takeover of our health care system, Nancy Pelosi and the majority party waited until the middle of the night to take one of the most important votes in history.  This bill was written behind closed doors using backroom deals to buy enough votes to pass, and puts the future of our great country at great risk.  It does nothing to protect the sanctity of human life, will not lower health care costs for the American family, cuts Medicare by $500 billion, and raises taxes on middle-class Americans.  I strongly denounce the passage of this bill and will work for its swift repeal.”

Call me cynical, but I don't see how anything passed this quickly with this much secrecy can be a positive step forward for our nation. However, having never worked in the health field or political arena, I can only tell you what I know from experience living and working in a nation that has universal health care. It lessens the quality and the quantity of care we all receive.

In our "labor rehearsal" class last week, the nurse midwife explained that those who chose to have their baby on base would receive 24-48 hours of care after the birth. And for those who chose to have their baby at Cambrige Hospital (one of the best in this nation): two hours recovery. Two hours after giving birth, those who chose the NHS (National Health Service) would be asked to pack up and get out of there. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Inconveniences like this are only minor compared to what is likely to come as a result of this bill. I fear that immigrants will soon flock to America they way they come to Britain for "free abortions." Let's just hope that future leaders will be able to undo some of the negative things this current Administration has chosen to implement.

...I know I do!

Update on Sunday, March 28, 2010 at 11:53AM by Katy

I found this very interesting. Especially since it was aired on CNN. It appears the American media is a bit disenchanted with this whole process as well. Sure, there are plenty of people who want to see the health care system reformed...but why all the secrecy?

Comments

[Heather]

Wow, being sent home two hours after giving birth? That's crazy. I feel for the mothers who are treated this way right after having their baby. I'm so glad you will be able to give birth on base and have the proper care.