Friday, August 20, 2010

United States could learn a lot from French healthcare system - And perhaps immigration techniques also!

(Not actual photo of Gypsies 'airlift')

The following 'news account' by Ms Veronica De La Cruz, mostly based on personal experiences which eventually, and sadly ended with the death of her brother, is so anti American, it makes any attempt for sympathy laughable.

Even as I make these observations, the French government is corralling Gypsies and 'plane-loading' them back to their native land. If only the U-S government would mirror actions such as these by cleansing America of millions of parasite dead-beats who have invaded our country by slipping across mostly Southern borders, only to deprive true Americans of an over burdened health care system.

Perhaps Ms De La Cruz would have earned a more sympathetic audience if she dropped the liberal (I'm more superior than you) attitude, no doubt accrued while displaying her craft during a suckling feast at tits of her mother-sow known as CNN. Facts usually are incidental there, which probably accounts for De La Cruz ignoring how the system actually works in this country, rather than babbling about how those in need are refused emergency care, without health coverage proof. Maybe Ms De La Cruz is confusing services here with what she might encounter in that 'other' America--South America!

One final point, De La Cruz never does indicate during her charring account whether attempts were made by her or any surrogates to seek that excellent and superior health care for her doomed brother from the French.

Last time I've heard a horn blown so out of tune was during the recent World Cup games in Africa. Perhaps that accounts for my current tinnitus malady. (Note to self--contact French physicians for treatment and inevitable healing)!

United States could learn a lot from French healthcare system - The Connexion

US: learn from French healthcare
Connexion edition: May 2010

Former CNN news anchor and healthcare campaigner Veronica De La Cruz visited France to see what lessons America could learn as it passes its new health bill




FORMER CNN news anchor Veronica De La Cruz says America has a lot to learn from France’s health system.

The American TV journalist and campaigner spoke to Connexion while in Paris investigating what makes France’s healthcare – ranked number one by the World Health Organisation – so good.

She plans to flag up ways in which it contrasts with the American system, whose failings she has been highlighting since her brother Eric died while waiting years for a heart transplant. He could not get insurance due to a pre-existing condition – despite massive fundraising efforts by De La Cruz, including mobilising support from rock group Nine Inch Nails. The fact that Eric dreamed of visiting France and loved the film Amélie was on of the spurs for Ms De La Cruz’s trip.

She believes France has a fairer approach, while American healthcare focuses on purely commercial values. She has had first hand experience of French healthcare after her taxi hit a scooter and she hit her head. “I went to hospital. I’m not even in the system, but they saw me right away and did tests. They said it would be €22 and they would send the bill to my address in New York. In America you can’t even walk in the door without an insurance card.

“Or, if you don’t have one, they’ll bill you $10,000 for what I had; they will give you a lot of tests you don’t need because they make money on each. There is no cost control.”

Unlike the French system, where most people are state-insured, in America there are only limited forms of state help, mainly for those on very low-incomes or OAPs. For most people the only option is a private policy, though many are left with none at all.

President Barack Obama’s healthcare bill is aimed at making the system fairer by, among other things, banning the practice of dropping customers when they develop new, serious illnesses and requiring companies to take those with pre-existing conditions.

Ms De La Cruz said: “Eric had a heart condition so he was cut out of the system. We raised a million dollars for his surgery, but he was still locked out because the clinic said he needed insurance to cover anti-rejection drugs. I have celebrity connections, I know how the system works but I still couldn’t save Eric’s life.”

Eric died on July 4, 2009 at the age of 27 after his heart condition worsened.

Ms De La Cruz said she thought France did not have the same ethos that “money makes the world go round.”

“The fact that in the US, healthcare is for profit is inhumane. I would be on the phone to the clinic saying ‘we have two huge bands on the road for us, we are raising $170,000 a day - and you still won’t take him?’”

She said she was struck by how in the French regional elections the candidates’ campaigns were government-funded, whereas she said there was a lot of funding is from business in America.

She says this must make French politicians more impartial when it comes to voting on healthcare policies.

She believes Obama’s reforms will help 30 million more Americans to access healthcare, which will become a legal requirement. However the fact the system would still rely heavily on private policies was disappointing, she said.

“When he was campaigning on healthcare the president said ‘look at France: you can pick up the phone and call a doctor at 3.00, they will come to your home and you don’t pay for it. They pay more in taxes, but they have universal healthcare, and it works.’ I feel deflated by what’s happening.”

Ms De La Cruz said the solution was universal (state) healthcare, from taxes, like in France. “I have talked to doctors, patients, politicians here – they say they love their healthcare and couldn’t imagine travesties like my brother’s case. French politicians admit there are problems with fraud and that they are facing budgeting problems - it’s not perfect, but they couldn’t imagine taking healthcare away.”

Ms De La Cruz said there was a cultural difference - the French sought freedom “through” their government, Americans sought freedom “from” theirs. “They believe it’s the American way that you make it on your own and they think if you have universal healthcare no one will want to be a doctor because they will be badly paid - but I’ve not spoken to French doctors who struggle to make ends meet.

“Some Americans say ‘we don’t want to become a socialist country’ but if they don’t want any socialist policies then let’s get rid of state schools as well. Or they say ‘healthcare will be rationed,’ but it already is – through insurance firms.”

She added: “America has a bad record on healthcare, life expectancy and infant mortality. We need to realise there are other people doing things right. I wish people could come here and see the world through my eyes. Some people think back to Bush and Chirac and ‘Freedom Fries,’ but I do think times are changing, with a Democrat in office who is fairly neutral and is well-liked by the rest of the world; and some Americans are very educated and open-minded and think France’s health system is an accomplishment.

“The French find it hard to understand the problem so I say give me your carte vitale, now work out how you are going to pay for your healthcare’ – that’s what it’s like in America.”


Sunday, August 15, 2010

A POS by any other name is, still a POS!


Last Afghan WikiLeaks out in 'couple of weeks'

Having been around for more than just a few years, I sometimes feel qualified to comment on a myriad of topics where normally my feet would never get wet. But as they say 'it doesn't take a rocket scientist to' make unsolicited observations. After all, this blog is based on that assumption.

So when we are deluged on a daily basis with information on a wide range of topics, it sometimes becomes difficult to sort out what is news (Lindsay Lohan going to jail) or lives of thousands lost to historic flooding in some remote location.

Under normal circumstances, Julian Assange would be categorized in the Lindsay Lohan section of newspaper gossip, but because of the treasonous nature of his existence, 15 minutes of fame will no doubt be extended, perhaps to 20. Assange, founder of a website he has dubbed Wikileaks, claims he is serving the greater masses by disseminating information, otherwise reserved by nations as Top Secret. There are those who would question motivations of Assange as being more in line with a lonely little man who craves attention, regardless of what consequences are faced by victims of his gossipy nature.

One fact remains--if that gossiping gig doesn't work out for you Julian, you could always body double for another pastie figure, Bill Maher on his hilarious television offering, or better still, there is always a role for smarmy characters in the Obama Administration.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Donna Shalala Detained, Interrogated at Israeli Airport - Washington Wire - WSJ

Donna Shalala Detained, Interrogated at Israeli Airport - Washington Wire - WSJ

Ms Shalala could have been spared humiliation of her detention.

Israeli airport security authorities surely could have instructed the diminutive former U-S Health and Human Services Secretary to submit to entering Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano's latest fun toy, the full-body scanner. Or as some might describe this latest intrusion on personal freedom; THE TELEPOD!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Feds admit storing checkpoint body scan images | Privacy Inc. - CNET News

Oh my God! They saved my body scan!!!!!!

Apparently passengers can object to entering the newer and safer 'gama-ray' machines, but be prepared to also have your body subjected to additional 'wanding' and other intimate experiences.

Carry-on luggage will be thoroughly searched and every other inconvenience technique employed, forcing the victimized detainee to beg for a 'jar of vaseline and a box of Kleenex tissues!'

Don't think United Airlines had this type of inquisition in mind when they coined the catchy phrase, 'fly the friendly skies.'

Feds admit storing checkpoint body scan images | Privacy Inc. - CNET News

Sunday, August 1, 2010

"The Clampetts" throw a shindig for Ellie May



A guest makes her way to one of the buses in Rhinebeck which was ferrying the exclusive congregation to Chelsea's wedding

Chelsea Clinton (Mezvinsky) is probably a very nice person, and to her credit, she did reportedly request a 'quiet' wedding ceremony, but unfortunately for her, she happens to be the only child of Mawh and pawh Clampett.

According to the Daily Mail report "....Of course she understood that, her parents being who they are, she didn’t have much choice but to have a big do.

With all due respect to Mrs. Mezvinsky, there probably is no doubt the daughter of former President George W. Bush, also realized who her parents were, but in comparison, her (big do) wedding bill reportedly was $100,000.00. The tents sheltering Chelsea's guests were reported to have cost SIX times that much alone.

Obviously critics will say, 'it is the Clinton's money and they can spend it as they see fit,' however those same critics should also realize these are the same people who jet around the world preaching fiscal responsibility and how the riches of everyone else should be distributed amongst the masses. Not really certain if the 500 invited and privileged wedding guests could be considered the masses they so vigorously endorse as 'needy!'

At the conclusion of these festivities, let us all reflect on what a wonderful time we had being part of America's pretend Royal Wedding!
(No word on where the newly married couple will celebrate their honeymoon, but most agree, if Chelsea has her way, it will not be a Big Do!)