Debate Over National Health Care

According to the article “Benefits vs. Costs Debate Likely to Stall Care Reform” (Nov. 4), business and medical professionals are convinced that one of the answers to the problem of keeping the soaring cost of medical care down is to ration care. What a horrible commentary on a nation that spends more for health care than any other country. A nation with a wealth of health-care providers and facilities. A nation with plenty of the most advanced technology.

The Canadian system is the one most closely examined in the United States.

According to the article, Dr. Daniel Ein, president of the Medical Society of the District of Columbia, says most Americans would never accept the Canadian system where everyone is covered, but where patients often wait for months for non-emergency procedures. As to waiting months, the problem in the U.S. is that poor people have to wait long periods to obtain care for emergency problems, often in crowded, understaffed public facilities. The uninsured and underinsured put off seeking medical care until the condition becomes serious. I have recently met Canadian people who told me that the stories about long waits are untrue. If patients need treatment unavailable in Canada, they are referred to appropriate centers in the U.S. with all expenses paid.

Why can’t we learn from other nations? Not all American physicians are opposed to a national health program providing care for everyone. The Physicians for a National Health Program, with about 20,000 members, are backing the Russo Health Care bill, HR 1300. It is modeled after the Canadian program. The time is now for the U.S. to get in step with the rest of the world, and make health care a right for all.

SOL LONDE MD

Northridge