DU help please: Is the US the only industrialized nation in the world that

[lavenderdiva]

doesn't have universal healthcare or some type of healthcare for all its citizens? Mr. LD and I were at dinner last night with some friends of ours, and I said I thought that the US was the only industrialized nation in the world without some form of universal healthcare for its citizens. Mr. LD thought I was wrong. Educate me please....

[mdmc]

1. I can't think of another country

[boobooday]

2. No, you are right

I believe we are the only major, industrialized country not to have universal healthcare of some form.

Some of them have mandatory private insurance, but all make sure everyone has insurance of some sort.

[Canuckistanian]

3. I think you are pretty much alone.

It's a progressive idea that caught on everywhere else but the profit-driven USA.

[Cleita]

4. Yep, not only that our infant mortality rate is up there with

third world countries in eastern Europe. I have the stats somewhere because I did a big study about it last year, which I posted. I think I will repost because a lot of people seem to have the idea that our system is really good. It's not. It's as bad as developing nations in many ways. Technically, we are great but we aren't reaching the majority of the people who need health care with our technology.

[DBoon]

10. and our lifespan is 23rd in the world

just above Costa Rica

[madrchsod]

5. you are right

isn`t that nice to know?

[musical_soul]

6. Unfortunately, I think so.

We were also one of the last countries (now first world) to end slavery, but it happened.

[Dora]

7. You're correct. And next time...

Insist that Mr. LD prove you wrong, instead of the other way around.

[lavenderdiva]

17. I feel like I have learned so much from all of you guys since I have been

here on DU! However, there are some topics that I feel strongly about (universal healthcare), but don't have a whole lot of specifics on. I did know that I had read on DU that the US was the only industrialized nation on the face of the earth that didn't have some form of healthcare for its citizens. However, I don't have an arsenal of facts committed to memory. Mr. LD is a facts guy. And most times, even when I have facts on my side, he will argue with me! I lovingly call him a curmudgeon of the first order. I think your idea is brilliant, but I need to educate myself so when he pulls his 'facts' out of his hat, I can prove him wrong!! :hi:

[IsItJustMe]

8. Many countries only have health care for those who have money. Take

Mexico for instance. If your poor and break your leg, your just SOL. Deal with it. That's the way it is.

On the other hand, it's getting that way hear. I was seriously injured one time and I had two hospitals refuse me because I didn't have health insurance. I finally found a hospital that would take me two hundred miles away, because it was county. I could have died. Ain't that America, something to see baby.

[Divernan]

9. But Mexico is not considered an industrialized country.

Granted there are a lot of factories along the U.S. border where Mexicans work for far less than U.S. minimum wages. I love the Yucutan peninsula and the Mayan/Mexicans there - but it, like most of Mexico is a third world country. Dirt roads, agrarian lifestyle, medical and dental care which, as you point out, is beyond the reach of the poor. I think the original poster was referring to countries at the level of Canada, and "old" Europe. And I agree with the comment that if someone disagrees with a statement, ask them for specifics. What country can someone name which is highly industrialized but doesn't provide health care AT LEAST for its workers?

[IsItJustMe]

11. Fair enough. n/t

[Cleita]

12. Mexico is still considered a third world country.

Of all the industrial nations we pretty much stand alone with our bad health care system. Even most free Asian countries have a good workable health care system for everyone.

[RaleighNCDUer]

13. Well, that's what we aspire to. nt

[IsItJustMe]

14. We're trying real hard, aren't we though. And I think the chimp does

have a real plan for this.

[bemildred]

15. Cuba has universal health care.

And a lower infant mortality rate.
:puke:

[no name no slogan]

16. The US and South Africa, IIRC

but not everybody agrees SA is industrialized.

[ninkasi]

18. PeacePatriot

You might want to check this story out. I saw it today on KPRC news, and it involves several churches getting together and offering a variety of services to the poor and needy. The link is
http://www.click2houston.com/family/8466449/detail.html

People can take showers, get clothes, get a meal or two, and get assistence in many other ways. This is what churches should do...and this group doesn't care which, if any church somebody goes to. They just want to help.