Many positive benefits to socialized health care

Published Friday, November 6, 2009

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In response to negative articles published on "socialized" health care, I'd like to write something positive.

Countries such as the Netherlands, Switzerland or Germany do not have government-run, Medicare-like health insurance. They all rely on private, nonprofit and for-profit insurers controlled by tight government regulations to work toward socially desired ends.

The costs in Germany or the Netherlands are less than half of those here. In Europe, that social ethic is based on the principle of social solidarity. Health care is financed by individuals based on the ability to pay, but is available to all. These countries all mandate that individuals be insured.

Americans spend 14 percent of their gross domestic product on health care. Germans spend less than 10 percent, and German insurance covers 90 percent of the population, financed by payroll taxes. Appointments for doctor visits, surgery and tests are no worst or better than the U.S. We receive the same level of medical expertise and have free choice of providers. This includes all ages, from senior citizens to babies. Example: My grandniece in Germany was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago. After receiving chemotherapy, radiation and a bone marrow transplant, she is now a healthy 6-year-old, and her parents have yet to see a hospital or doctor bill.

The medical industries earn approximately 6 times less than here in the U.S. Malpractice lawsuits are nearly unknown, and malpractice insurance is approximately $6,000 a year.

Contrary to the many articles published, "socialized" medicine does work.

Heidi Boocock

Hilton Head Island

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Rick Caporale (R-District 1)
17 Salt Wind Way, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29926
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Steven Baer (R-District 2)
10 Heather Lane, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29926
Office: 689-3570; fax: 689-3569
Stu Rodman (R-District 3)
27 Baynard Park, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29928
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Weston J. Newton chairman (R-District 4)
P.O. Drawer 7049, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29938
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William McBride (D-District 5)
P.O. Box 77, St. Helena Island, SC 29920
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Gerald Dawson (D-District 6)
64-A Horace Dawsone Drive, Seabrook, SC 29940
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Paul Sommerville vice chairman (R-District 7)
1509 Pigeon Point Road, Beaufort, SC 29902
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Herbert N. Glaze (D-District 8)
P.O. Box 4053, Burton, SC 29903
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Brian Flewelling (R- District 9)
25 Petigru Drive, Beaufort, SC 29902
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Jerry Stewart (R-District 10)
11 Teaberry Lane, Bluffton, S.C. 29909
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Laura Von Harten (D-District 11)
166 Fuller Parkway, Beaufort, SC 29902
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Fred S. Washington chairman (District 11)
PO 325, 804 West Street, Beaufort, SC 29901
(C) 843-524-8404
Bob Arundell vice chairman (District 2)
198 Woodlake Villas, Hilton Head, S.C. 29926
Home: 681-8502; work: 7855-8040; fax: 785-3056;
Joan Deery (District 1)
5 old Fort Drive, Hilton Head, S.C. 29926
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Wayne Carbiener (District 3)
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Laura Bush (District 4)
P.O. Box 172, Bluffton, S.C. 29910
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Michael F. Rivers, Sr. (District 5)
734 Seaside Road, St. Helena, SC 29920
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Earl Campbell (District 6)
93 Bruce Smalls, Grays Hill, P.O. Box 768, Lobeco, SC 29931
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(C) 843-476-7512
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Jim Bequette (District 7)
4 Broomfield Lane 2532, Beaufort, SC 29907
(H/C) 843-263-8327
Herbert Burnes (District 8)
95 Pine Grove Road, Beaufort, SC 29906
(H) 843-846-445
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Ronald Speaks (District 9)
3121 Palomino Dr., Burton, SC 29906
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George Wilson (District 10)
20 Osprey Circle, Callawassie Island, S.C. 29909
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Mayor Billy Keyserling
771 Ribaut Rd., Beaufort, SC 29902
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P.O. Box 1171, Beaufort, SC 29901
379-6099 (Home)
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860 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC 29902
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809 Craven St., Beaufort, SC 29902
252-5687
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Mayor Thomas D. Peeples
4 Hartford Place, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928-3922
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Bill Ferguson (Ward 1)
634 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
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William Harkins (Ward 2)
3 Old Fort Lane Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
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Drew A. Laughlin (Ward 3)
5 McIntosh Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
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John Safay (Ward 4)
19 Starboard Tack, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
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George Williams (Ward 5)
8 Braddock Cove, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
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Ken S. Heitzke (Ward 6)
3 Audubon Place, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
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