"One of the wonderful things about living in this country is that the moment you're injured or fall ill – no matter who you are, where you are from, or how much money you've got – you know that the NHS will look after you." - David Cameron, leader of the British Conservative Party.
This is the first time I have ever quoted David Cameron approvingly. But I am sick and tired of the lies and distortions being peddled by American conservatives about Britain's National Health Service. Of course, it's not a perfect system - is there such a thing ? But the overwhelming majority of British people - whether their political views are liberal or conservative, left wing or right wing - are glad that we have the NHS. We know that if we do fall ill, we will receive free medical treatment. So we will not have financial worries added to our health problems.
Incidentally The Guardian reported on Tuesday: "The UK spends less per head on healthcare but has a higher life expectancy than the US. The World Health Organisation ranks Britain's healthcare as 18th in the world, while the US is in 37th place."
In America something like 47 million people have no health insurance; millions more have inadequate policies and often face arguments with insurance companies when they are taken ill about exactly what is or is not covered.
Many American Presidents - starting with Theodore Roosevelt nearly 100 years ago - have tried to get a universal healthcare system in the US . All have failed - most recently Bill Clinton in the 1990s. The vested interests of the insurance companies and others have prevailed. So America remains the only major industrialised country in the world that doesn't guarantee health care for all its people.
America voted for change only eight months ago. And in electing Barack Obama, the USA voted for a President whose commitment to healthcare reform was spelt out day after day at campaign rallies throughout the country. No-one can have been in any doubt about his policy on this vital issue.
I have been shocked by the tactics of some of Obama's opponents. Calling him and other Democrats 'Nazis' is beyond the pale; one Congressman even had a swastika daubed outside his office.And I was frankly sickened by the fact that the police were apparently powerless to stop a man turning up to an Obama meeting with a gun strapped to his leg.
I love America, though I have often disliked the policies of its Presidents. Perhaps some people think I should not comment on American domestic politics. But increasingly we live in a global village with CNN, NBC and Fox News available to satellite subscribers in the UK and throughout the world. But in addition on this occasion the American right has involved Britain by maligning our NHS. So I feel no qualms about my intervention.
Obama is right about health care, and I hope he prevails. America is fortunate to have him as President.
This is the first time I have ever quoted David Cameron approvingly. But I am sick and tired of the lies and distortions being peddled by American conservatives about Britain's National Health Service. Of course, it's not a perfect system - is there such a thing ? But the overwhelming majority of British people - whether their political views are liberal or conservative, left wing or right wing - are glad that we have the NHS. We know that if we do fall ill, we will receive free medical treatment. So we will not have financial worries added to our health problems.
Incidentally The Guardian reported on Tuesday: "The UK spends less per head on healthcare but has a higher life expectancy than the US. The World Health Organisation ranks Britain's healthcare as 18th in the world, while the US is in 37th place."
In America something like 47 million people have no health insurance; millions more have inadequate policies and often face arguments with insurance companies when they are taken ill about exactly what is or is not covered.
Many American Presidents - starting with Theodore Roosevelt nearly 100 years ago - have tried to get a universal healthcare system in the US . All have failed - most recently Bill Clinton in the 1990s. The vested interests of the insurance companies and others have prevailed. So America remains the only major industrialised country in the world that doesn't guarantee health care for all its people.
America voted for change only eight months ago. And in electing Barack Obama, the USA voted for a President whose commitment to healthcare reform was spelt out day after day at campaign rallies throughout the country. No-one can have been in any doubt about his policy on this vital issue.
I have been shocked by the tactics of some of Obama's opponents. Calling him and other Democrats 'Nazis' is beyond the pale; one Congressman even had a swastika daubed outside his office.And I was frankly sickened by the fact that the police were apparently powerless to stop a man turning up to an Obama meeting with a gun strapped to his leg.
I love America, though I have often disliked the policies of its Presidents. Perhaps some people think I should not comment on American domestic politics. But increasingly we live in a global village with CNN, NBC and Fox News available to satellite subscribers in the UK and throughout the world. But in addition on this occasion the American right has involved Britain by maligning our NHS. So I feel no qualms about my intervention.
Obama is right about health care, and I hope he prevails. America is fortunate to have him as President.
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