Health care reform/public option, etc. in US

[alexis]

What do you think of all the stuff going on?

[Bobber]

Why do the Americans make such a fuzz about this topic?

[alexis]

Why do the Americans make such a fuzz about this topic?

I can't speak for all Americans (well, OK, actually I can, but my doctor told me not to let anyone know I feel that way, and to take more lithium when I do  ), but I think it is because it is a convenient  battleground in the increasingly hostile and vitriolic conflict between right and left in this country. Both groups feel that the other's point of view is guaranteed to ruin the country - from the point of view of not just health care, but making us the "wrong kind" of nation - "socialist" vs. "uncaring and good only for the rich".

Additionally, since there is SO MUCH $$$$ involved in health care in this country, a lot of people have vested interests in the outcome, since the two sides have drastically different solutions to each other.

I dunno, maybe an analogy would be the "Privatization" debates that took place in Thatcher's reign?

[Jane]

I dunno, maybe an analogy would be the "Privatization" debates that took place in Thatcher's reign?

Alexis, aren`t the privatization debate still on in the UK?

[nyfan(41)]

i think that the pharmaceutical companies and the insurance companies are getting rich and they don't want things to change.

rememeber monica lewinski? that whole witch hunt started because (then) 1st lady hillary clinton was trying to redo the healthcare system

and the third demonic party is an evil organization called the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- they make the laws for all food and drugs and they are corrupt

they love to have this country obese and poisoned on high fructose corn syrup and mcdonalds - till everyone is obese and sick and on umpteen overpriced pills instead of teaching the nation about a healthy lifestyle - in schools etc
---------------------------

the insurance companies / the pharmaceutical companies / the FDA . . . . . this is the evil/power three headed beast that's bankrupting america

[Jane]

they love to have this country obese and poisoned on high fructose corn syrup and mcdonalds - till everyone is obese and sick and on umpteen overpriced pills instead of teaching the nation about a healthy lifestyle - in schools etc
---------------------------

Nyfan, what is your attitude to such stores as Giant? Maybe they have already been closed down? As far as I remember, GMF (genetically modified food) is sold there. This is very unhealthy. I remember Safeway is much better. But why set up such stores which make people obese and undermine their health? Actually there are more obese people in the USA than in other countries. The NHS should look into the problem, it`s their duty isn`t it?

[The Swine]

The NHS should look into the problem, it`s their duty isn`t it?

it is. but that doesnt mean anything today.

[nyfan(41)]

gmf . .  2ch that's scary
i don't know those stores you've mentioned. here in ny i use wholefoods and fresh direct . .

but i don't think anyone is going to take on the FDA anytime soon. they are too powerful
here in states it's a system of 'lobbyists' etc . . .that means anyone can donate money etc to a politician's candidacy and 'own' them 
---------------------

in all fairness, the other thing going on with u.s. healthcare is with all these new drugs - people live to 80-85 years old.
(thirty years ago people only lived to 70-75 years old)
and most people use the bulk of their medical insurance in their later years so . . . . with the increased life expectancy we're up to our elbows in old people and someone has to pay for it  (..and mostly they are not living long through healthy living but through alot of medications)

. . .but this issue touches nearly every part of our u.s. economy  - did you know one of the main reason people declare bankruptcy/go into foreclosure etc is medical bills   

well.....im no expert so i guess i'm done here  ha2ha ha2ha

[Jane]

gmf . .  2ch that's scary
i don't know those stores you've mentioned. here in ny i use wholefoods and fresh direct . .

Oh, how good! One should take care to eat only healthy food. On this depends not only our health, which is crucial, but also our looks.
Yes, Nyfan, now I see why you don`t know them - these stores are situated in Washington. I remember Giant, which is unhealthy with all this huge fruit and vegetables, then Safeway, which is good, and , not sure, Greenfields (?), which is perfect with ecologically tested food. I know these names cause I lived in Washington much longer than in New York.
BTW I`ve forgotten the name of the most popular food store in New York. Could you remind me of it?

[nyfan(41)]

most popular . . umm

Associated . . . KeyFood . . . D'agastino . . . MetFood . . . umm . . . Food Emporium . . . .

but alot of people go to the union square 14th street farmers market for fresh local produce
------------------

hey jane, how could you have been in new york and i didn't see you here? i must have had my eyes closed that day  ha2ha ha2ha ha2ha

[Jane]

most popular . . umm

Associated . . . KeyFood . . . D'agastino . . . MetFood . . . umm . . . Food Emporium . . . .

but alot of people go to the union square 14th street farmers market for fresh local produce
------------------

hey jane, how could you have been in new york and i didn't see you here? i must have had my eyes closed that day  ha2ha ha2ha ha2ha

Thank you Nyfan! I believe it was Food Emporium.
I stayed in New York for 3 weeks and... I think I saw you fishing in the lakes of Central Park! 
Most of the time I spent in the museums and art galleries. But next time I go to New York I won`t miss you!