Health Care: America vs. the World

Millions of Americans have no health insurance and live in fear that one illness could bankrupt them. Even though the U.S. spends far more on health care than other wealthy nations, Americans die of preventable diseases at greater rates. The PBS NewsHour special, “Critical Care: America vs the World,” examines how four other nations achieve universal care for less money, with better outcomes.

Bernie Sanders: Our Healthcare System Is 'Dysfunctional, Cruel and Wasteful’ | MSNBC

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont discusses Trump’s taxpayer-funded treatment for COVID and why the United States’ lack of universal healthcare is actually the “radical” exception worldwide

We All Deserve the Health Care Trump Received at Walter Reed

Mr. Trump, guess what? The Walter Reed Hospital that you were at, where you claimed you got excellent, high-quality care, that is a 100% government-funded, government-run, dare I say, “socialist,” facility.

Trump Calls COVID-19 “Foreign Virus” as Lack of Universal Healthcare Makes the Pandemic Worse

After downplaying the threat of coronavirus for days, President Donald Trump addressed the nation Wednesday from the Oval Office, calling COVID-19 a “foreign virus” and announcing an unprecedented travel ban from most of Europe to the U.S. He also said he will expand sick leave. This comes as Senate Republicans blocked paid sick leave legislation. Robert Pollin, distinguished university professor of economics and co-director of the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, says the lack of universal healthcare in the U.S. is exacerbating the coronavirus crisis due to “the absurdity that people cannot feel confident that they are going to get medical treatment” when they need it most. In 2018, Pollin co-authored a paper titled “Economic Analysis of Medicare for All.” His forthcoming book, co-authored with Noam Chomsky, is “The Climate Crisis and the Global Green New Deal: The Political Economy of Saving the Planet.”

How Germany's Universal Healthcare System Works

Germany’s health-care system spends nearly half as much as the United States but still manages to cover 100% of its population through a mix of public and private insurance schemes. There are two different systems that residents can turn to for insurance in Germany: SHI, which stands for Statutory Health Insurance and PHI or Private Health Insurance. Here’s how they work.

Dr. Adam Gaffney Says “We Should Be Skeptical” of Trump’s Proposed Healthcare Plan

President Trump says doctors and health executives in the Senate will write legislation to replace the Affordable Care Act, just one week after the Justice Department supported a federal court ruling to wipe out the plan entirely. Dr. Adam Gaffney says "we should be extremely skeptical” that any new legislation would be better than Trump’s widely criticized move to dismantle the Affordable Care Act in 2017.

THE GUARDIAN: Universal healthcare could save America trillions: what’s holding us back? » | Adam Gaffney | Tuesday, December 11, 2019

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Americans Borrowed $88 Billion to Pay for Health Care Last Year, Survey Finds » | Karen Zraick | Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Single-Payer Healthcare Takes a Big Step Forward

Wednesday was a historic day in the U.S. struggle for universal health care as key Senate Democrats joined Sen. Bernie Sanders to unveil a single-payer bill. We speak to economist Dean Baker and Saikat Chakrabarti of Brand New Congress

Historic U.S. Healthcare Bill Passes


Major Changes Ahead As Health-Care Reform Passes


Health-Care Reform Major Win for Obama Presidency


US Congress Passes Barack Obama's Historic Health Care Reform Bill
THE TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama has convinced Democrats in the US Congress to pass his historic health care reform bill, handing the president a victory that will give nearly every American the right to health coverage and could define his time in office.

“We proved we are still a people capable of doing big things and tackling big challenges,” said Mr Obama. Reprising his campaign mantra he added: “This is what change looks like, tonight we answered the call of history.”

His victory came by a narrow margin of 219 to 212, with all Republicans and 34 Democrats opposing. But it secured the most sweeping domestic reform since the 1960s that a few weeks ago seemed dead and buried when the Democrats lost a crucial Senate by-election in Massachusetts.

Though the president will sign last night’s bill into law, the process will not end until later in the week, when Democrats in the Senate are expected to complete a complex set of manoeuvres that will create a compromise bill.

The president therefore avoided a victory lap in comments made from the East Room of the White House shortly before midnight in Washington, though privately White House advisers said this was “a wonderful, wonderful night” and some could not contain their smiles as the president made his short, televised address.

As hundreds of angry protesters outside the Capitol chanted “Kill the Bill”, Democrats were able to muster they votes they needed after the president reached a last minute compromise with anti-abortion congressmen.

He agreed to issue an executive order as soon as the bill was passed that would prevent any circumvention of the existing ban on federal funding of elective abortions, which a small group of Catholic Democrats said was threatened by the language of the bill.

“This bill is complicated, but it’s also very simple: illness and infirmity are universal, and we are stronger against them together than we are alone,” said Steny Hoyer, the Democratic House Majority Leader before the vote. >>> Alex Spillius in Washington | Monday, March 22, 2010

Nile Gardiner: Congress Health Care Vote: A Dark Day for Freedom in America
THE TELEGRAPH: The passage last night of Barack Obama’s health care reform bill through the House of Representatives is yet another blow to freedom in America inflicted by the Obama administration. The legislation, which comes at a staggering cost of $940 billion, will hugely add to the already towering national debt, now at over $12 trillion. It is yet another millstone round the necks of the American people, already faced with the highest levels of unemployment in a generation.

It is also a great leap forward by the United States towards a European-style vision of universal health care, which will only lead to soaring costs, higher taxes, and a surge in red tape for small businesses. This reckless legislation dramatically expands the power of the state over the lives of individuals, and could not be further from the vision of America’s founding fathers. It has also been rushed through Congress without proper scrutiny, in the face of overwhelming public opposition, and with not an ounce of bipartisan support.

Above all the health care bill is a thinly disguised vanity project for a president who is committed to transforming the United States from the world’s most successful large-scale free enterprise economy, to a highly interventionist society with a massive role for centralized government. The United States has thrived as a nation for over 230 years precisely because of its love for freedom and its belief in free markets. Read on and comment >>> Nile Gardiner | Monday, March 22, 2010

This Time Change Really Is Coming to America
TIMES ONLINE: Barack Obama is wrong to suggest he knows what change looks like but right to urge the public to get ready

There was no champagne for the President, at least not in public. Instead there was a short walk to the microphone at ten to midnight and a low-key speech to weary reporters. Embedded in it were six words that he had waited a long time and twisted a lot of arms to say: "This is what change looks like".

It is hard to overstate the effect the reforms passed last night will have on the American way of life, because the unknowable changes may be even more profound than those that are already known.

Thirty-two million people will be forced or helped to buy health insurance for the first time. Ninety-five per cent of Americans will thus have coverage, up from roughly 85 per cent. The dream of universal coverage will not become a reality overnight, but it will come closer than ever in US history, and closer to levels taken for granted in other advanced economies. >>> Giles Whittell, Washington | Monday, March 22, 2010

Ein historischer Entscheid mit Folgen: Reaktionen zu Obamas Gesundheitsreform in der amerikanischen Presse
NZZ ONLINE: Grosses Thema in der amerikanischen Presse ist der knappe Erfolg von Obamas Gesundheitsreform im Kongress. Die Spaltung, die sich in der Frage zwischen den politischen Kräften abzeichnete, prägt auch die Meinungen in der Medienlandschaft.

Die Kommentare der amerikanischen Presse zur Verabschiedung von Obamas Gesundheitsreform im Kongress sind so kontrovers wie die Haltung der beiden wichtigsten Parteien. Die konservativen Zeitungen stützen die Meinung der Republikaner, wonach die Reform den Vereinigten Staaten eine Schuldenlast von unerhörtem Ausmass auflade. Die linksliberalen Blätter streichen den sozialen Fortschritt heraus, der Ungerechtigkeiten ausgleiche und Benachteiligten den Zugang zur medizinischen Versorgung garantiere. Graben zwischen den Parteien >>> Isabelle Imhof | Montag, 22. März 2010

WELT ONLINE: US-Gesundheitsreform ¬– Obama siegt – zu einem hohen Preis: Es war ein langes Tauziehen zwischen den Demokraten und Republikanern um die Gesundheitsreform. Nun hat der US-Präsident sein wohl wichtigstes innenpolitisches Vorhaben im Abgeordnetenhaus durchgebracht. Die Reform soll fast allen US-Bürgern eine Krankenversicherung garantieren. >>> Von Gabriele Chwallek | Montag, 22. März 2010

Change You Have to Believe In
MAIL ONLINE: Vote is compared to civil rights legislation of 50s and 60s / Reform leaves nation polarised as backlash begins / Democrats set to pay price in November mid-term elections / Final tally is 219 to 212

Barack Obama hailed the passing of his historic healthcare overhaul last night, declaring: 'This is what change looks like.'

The jubilant president was preparing to sign his £600billion plan into law after the House of Representatives passed the bill in a cliffhanger vote - a victory that U.S. presidents have been trying to achieve for nearly 100 years.

Many are already comparing the vote to just a rung below the enactment of civil rights legislation in the 1950s and 1960s.

But with the nation polarised by the healthcare debate, many are wondering if Mr Obama has made a historic mistake.

The cost to his party and himself could be crippling, analysts have warned. America is heading into mid-term congressional elections in November - and many are now worried that the Democrats are set to pay a high price for healthcare.

The damage to Mr Obama and his party is already considerable.

The president staked his domestic agenda on healthcare last summer. His stand generated the grass-roots 'Tea Party' movement, sparked angry town hall meetings across the nation, and saw his poll numbers plunge to below 50 per cent in some places.

The political stakes are enormous. But Mr Obama spoke only of victory last night. 'This is what change looks like': Victory for Obama as historic healthcare reform bill is passed (but at what price?) >>> David Gardner | Monday, March 22, 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: US health care reform bill: the facts: The US House of Representatives has approved a sweeping $940 billion health care reform bill. >>> | Monday, March 22, 2010

Couverture santé : Obama remporte un vote historique
Le vice-président Joe Biden (en arrière-plan) et le président américain Barack Obama. «Nous avons prouvé que nous restions un peuple capable de grandes choses», s'est félicité le chef de l'Etat à l'issue du vote dimanche soir. Photo : Le Figaro
LE FIGARO: Après des mois d'âpres négociations, le président américain a remporté une bataille qu'aucun démocrate n'avait gagné en 100 ans de vie politique : donner à toute la nation une vraie couverture maladie.

«Nous avons prouvé que ce gouvernement, un gouvernement élu par la nation pour servir la nation, continue d'agir pour la nation. Nous avons prouvé que nous restions un peuple capable de grandes choses». Par ces mots, Barack Obama a salué sobrement dimanche le passage du projet de réforme du système de santé américain auquel il travaillait depuis plus d'un an. Une réforme dont il a revu certains objectifs à la baisse mais qui restera probablement le symbole de sa législature et fait aboutir un combat mené par les démocrates depuis un siècle.

Dimanche soir, à l'issue de dix heures de débats, la Chambre des représentants a approuvé par 219 voix contre 212 le texte adopté le 24 décembre par le Sénat, envoyant ainsi à une courte majorité le texte à la Maison-Blanche pour promulgation par le président Obama.

Dimanche après-midi pourtant, l'issue du vote était toujours incertaine. Pendant les débats, les républicains ont réitéré leur opposition à un plan jugé trop coûteux. Mike Pence, numéro trois de l'opposition, a ironisé : «Il n'y a qu'à Washington qu'on peut dire qu'on dépense 1.000 milliards tout en faisant économiser de l'argent aux contribuables». Mais les chefs démocrates ont fini par obtenir le ralliement du démocrate anti-avortement Bart Stupak et de ses partisans. Un précieux soutien rendu possible grâce au compromis passé avec Barack Obama qui s'est engagé à signer un décret pour réaffirmer l'interdiction des financements fédéraux pour l'avortement.

Certains démocrates ont néanmoins refusé de s'engager pour une réforme que les sondages disent impopulaire. Selon un récent sondage du Wall Street Journal, 36% des Américains jugent la réforme positive, contre 48% qui l'estiment négative et 15% sans opinion. Au total, 34 démocrates ont finalement voté contre le projet de loi tout comme la totalité des 178 républicains. 32 millions d'assurés supplémentaires >>> Par Pauline Fréour | Lundi 22 Mars 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama signs health care bill amid warnings of Pyrrhic victory: President Barack Obama will sign into law the historic reform of the American health care system that has eluded his predecessors for a century on Tuesday. >>> Toby Harnden in Washington | Monday, March 22, 2010



Obama's Health Care Bill: Courageous Or Electoral Suicide?
THE TELEGRAPH: Catastrophic victory. Electoral suicide. An act of political courage that will rescue his presidency. The verdicts on Barack Obama's successful push to pass health care reform by the narrowest of margins are sharply divided.

In the short term, few would dispute that Mr Obama registered a significant political achievement. He showed that Democrats, holding power in the White House and both houses of Congress, could muscle a major bill through. Finally, he did something.

He put his personal prestige on the line by persisting with the measure despite the stunning blow of losing a Senate seat in Massachusetts in January largely because of popular discontent with it. Reforming America's health care system had eluded presidents back to Theodore Roosevelt, who left office 101 years ago.

But one man's courage is another's folly and the victory came at a huge cost for Mr Obama. He campaigned on a lofty vow to usher in a new era of bipartisanship in Washington. That died late on Sunday when health care passed without a single Republican vote – and with 34 Democrats voting against.

Never before had landmark legislation – the bill reshapes one-sixth of the American economy – been passed without even a smidgen of bipartisan consensus.

The process took 14 months and at times showed politics at its ugliest, with closed-door horse-trading (despite Mr Obama's trumpeting of a new transparency) and grubby deals like the notorious "Louisiana Purchase" and "Cornhusker Kickback".

Almost every other political priority was pushed aside and the "laser focus" on jobs that the White House kept promising never materialised. >>> Toby Harnden in Washington | Monday, March 22, 2010

Tea Party Express Hits the Road in Protest at Obama Healthcare Plans
TIMES ONLINE: On a warm, wet night in Michigan, Jan Crandall stands to attention while Taps is played on the sound system in honour of America’s war dead. Then she explains why she is carrying a placard bearing an astonishingly large number: $11,801,149,166,949.

It is the US national debt — and it is rising by $3.5 billion a day. “We came out tonight because of the excessive spending,” she said. “We don’t like the Government trying to take over everything. We are for healthcare reform, but they are not going about it the right way.” After a pause Mrs Crandall added: “Gee, are we going to talk about Barack Obama? We might get on his hit list.”

A powerful cocktail of hard-headed conservatism and wilful paranoia is driving a quixotic bus convoy from California to Washington, where Mr Obama will try tonight to rebut its claims and regain the initiative in the most important domestic policy speech of his presidency so far.

The Tea Party Express has no leader, no big donors and no formal goal except to “take back our country” from an Administration it believes has fundamentally misunderstood the role of America’s federal Government — and from Republicans who abandoned fiscal restraint to bail out the country’s banks last year.

The convoy consists of two 12-berth coaches built for rock band roadies and a permanent crew of two singers, two speakers and a supporting cast of mild-mannered political consultants from California. It would be no more than a fringe attraction had its members not already wrong-footed the White House in the health reform debate with talking points for hundreds of Republican town hall meetings over the summer. One of the brains behind the movement is Sal Russo, of Russo, Marsh and Associates, a Sacramento campaigning firm, formerly an adviser to Ronald Reagan and Rudy Giuliani.

The Tea Party people are now targeting congressional districts won last year by Democrats that they think can be won back in next year’s midterm elections. The coaches have stopped for four rallies in Michigan in the past two days, including one attended by Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher — known to followers of John McCain’s presidential campaign as Joe the Plumber. Yesterday he railed against big government at a meeting in Brighton, and signed copies of his new book, Fighting for the American Dream.

Mr Obama’s version of that dream has always included universal healthcare. His speech tonight to both houses of Congress will be a “very forceful” argument for wholesale reform, aides said, and a reply to a misinformation campaign by opponents that has encouraged conspiracy theories about state-run “death panels” and “population control experiments”.

The President’s problem is that no US legislation this ambitious has ever been passed with a majority of Americans opposed to it. A Gallup poll yesterday showed that only 37 per cent of voters back the Bill now being worked on by the Senate Finance Committee.

Tonight’s speech will, therefore, stop short of demanding the public insurance plan — the “public option” — even though Mr Obama still supports the idea and even though it is considered non-negotiable by about 40 liberal Democrats in the House. >>> Giles Whittell in Jackson, Michigan | Wednesday, September 09, 2009