American Politicians Unsure Of What 'Healthcare' Means

Ask any Brit to define the term 'healthcare' and you'll no doubt get consistent answers - albeit ones that revolve around MRSA, underpaid nurses, filthy hospital bedding and good old fashioned drunken fistfights in Saturday night A&E.

For our American chums, though, things may seem a bit more difficult. Health care in the US has long been a contentious issue, and now it's inevitably winding its way into the Clinton/Obama leadership battle.

The phrase 'universal healthcare' can be interpreted in any number of ways, it would seem. Clinton is focusing on her 'American Health Choices Plan', which aims to 'speak to American values, American families and American jobs.' Presumably overseen by Dr. Drivelling Hyperbole, head of Cliche General Infirmary.

Obama? He's taking a more gung-ho approach, claiming that - under his steely gaze - every American will have access to the exact same standard of healthcare as any member of Congress. So hopefully the eternal life injections that are keeping John McCain shambling around will soon be available to any Burger King employee.

Havard professor Regina Herzlinger has analysed the whole thing for the Washington Post. Depressingly - and weirdly at odds with the progressive ideas of the candidates - her view of healthcare seems to revolve around 'consumer choice' and 'entrepeneurs.' Altogether now: 'oh say, can you see ...'

Written by C J Davies on 30 Mar 2008 10:04 PM. Permalink