Obama’s healthcare reforms spark debate in UK

Though the highly “controversial” and much needed health care plan of President Barack Obama, seems to be enjoying committee endorsement at the US senate after a series of tough town hall meetings around the country, critics seems not. Opponents of the Presidents healthcare reforms in the US are directing criticism at other health plans around the world chiefly those in Canada and UK, all in their effort to discredit Obama’s scheme which turn out to be one of his major campaign promises and top domestic policies.

By Yemti Harry Ndienla

“US Critics of the National Health Service (NHS) in UK see it as an overly-bureaucratic "socialised" system which rations care”, The BBC reported. Meanwhile in showing his support to the NHS, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, recently joined thousands of people in a Twitter campaign to defend the health service from US attacks. His wife Sarah, who sent a message of support to the campaign, is also behind the NHS.

Brown’s action came on the hills of increasing debate on the NHS following critic by opponents of President Barack Obama’s health plan in the US. Those in UK claim the NHS is outdated, unfair and should be scrapped. Others believe the UK government had not done enough to defend the NHS from attacks in the US.

Interestingly, a Tory MEP who openly waded into the debate over Barack Obama's health bill after telling a US TV he “wouldn’t wish” the NHS “on anyone”, was highly criticized by those who have great respect for the NHS including Andy Burnham, the country’s Health Secretary, who accused the Tory MEP of being “unpatriotic”. Unpatriotic because the MEP, a British representative actually gave an unfair impression of the National Health Service in a foreign media without representing the views of the vast majority of British people.

Mr. Hannan, made a series of appearances on American television describing the NHS as "60 year mistake" and saying that he "wouldn't wish it on anyone". A statement viewed by many as "insult" to the 1.4m NHS workers.

"We will stand up for the NHS and we will make sure that it is properly represented in the international media. And that is why what Mr Hannan has done disappoints me so much” Andy Burnham told the BBC

Though others ague that Hannan spoke in his personal capacity, his views were backed by fellow Tory MEP Roger Helmer, who told BBC Radio 4's PM programme: "I think Dan has done us a service by raising these issues which need to be looked at. "If 80% of Americans are getting better health care than we are in the UK then we ought to ask why, and we ought to ask how we are going to deliver equally good results."

Tory leader David Cameron, who has vowed to protect health from spending cuts if he comes to power, has been at pains to stress his commitment to the NHS and distance himself from his compatriot - Mr Hannan. Hear him, "The Conservative Party stands four squares behind the NHS,” Adding, "We are the party of the NHS, we back it, we are going to expand it, we have ring-fenced it and said that it will get more money under a Conservative government, and it is our number one mission to improve it."

Whilst scolding Hannan for his damaging statement on NHS, Cameron, noted, "He does have some quite eccentric views about some things, and political parties always include some people who don't toe the party line on one issue or another issue."

On his part Timothy Kirkhope, Leader of the Conservative group in the European Parliament, told the BBC he believes Mr Hannan should be disciplined for his comments about the NHS and that he would be given a "stern talking to" by the party's chief whip Brussels.

Former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott on his part recorded a video message to the American people accusing Mr Hannan of "misrepresentation of the NHS here in Britain".

It should be noted here that US critics of the NHS claim it is an example of an overly-bureaucratic system which rations care and denies treatment to the elderly. But campaign groups and right wing pundits have also attacked it as "socialist", with one TV debate even discussing whether it was a breeding ground for terrorism.

But one British woman said she felt "duped" after becoming the unwitting star of an anti-Obama health campaign. Kate Spall, who appeared in a US free market group's TV commercial opposing Mr Obama's health bill, said her views were misrepresented.

She told BBC Radio 4's The World at one: "Absolutely I was deceived yes because when I then found out the link to the website and it was a huge political machine I was horrified because it was the polar opposite of what I believe in. I absolutely believe in universal health care."

Here are some other facts and figures to carry you through your day

Real median household income remained unchanged in the US between 2003 and 2004 at $44,389, according to a report released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Meanwhile, the nation’s official poverty rate rose from 12.5 percent in 2003 to 12.7 percent in 2004 and very little changes had been made of recent.

The percentage of the nation’s population without health insurance coverage remained stable, at 15.7 percent in 2004. Meanwhile the number of people with health insurance increased by 2.0 million to 245.3 million between 2003 and 2004, and the number without such coverage rose by 800,000 to 45.8 million.

Recent statistics by OECD and WHO hold that about 47.5m Americans are living today without health insurance. The number represents 10.4 % Non-Hispanic whites, 19.5 % Blacks, and 14.8 % Hispanics.

Life expectancy at birth in the US 78.1 years compared to; 81 in France, 79.7 in Singapore, and 79.1 in UK. Meanwhile the US has 6.7 infant mortality per 1000 live births against 4.8 in UK, 3.8 in France, and 2.1 in Singapore. On the contrary the US has one of the highest expenditure on health per capita in the world. The US spends $7.290 against $3.601 in France, $2.992 in UK and $1.228 in Singapore.

Some different Health programmes around the world include the following:

United States - Private system

Private sector funded, with more than half from private sources. Private health insurance available through employer, government or private schemes.

15.3% of population (45.7 million people) do not have health insurance.

Federal government is largest health care insurer - involved in two main schemes, Medicaid and Medicare, each covering about 13% of population.

Medicaid - joint funded federal-state programme for certain low income and needy groups - eg children, disabled.

Medicare - for people 65 years old and above and some younger disabled people and those with permanent kidney failure undergoing dialysis or transplant.

Most doctors are in private practice and paid through combination of charges, discounted fees paid by private health plans, public programmes, and direct patient fees.

In-patient care is provided in public and private hospitals. Hospitals are paid through a combination of charges, per admission, and capitation.

United Kingdom - Universal, tax-funded system

Public sector funded by taxation and some national insurance contributions.

About 11% have private health insurance. Private GP services very small.

Health care free at point of delivery but charges for prescription drugs, ophthalmic services and dental services unless exempt.

Exemptions include children, elderly, and unemployed. About 85% of prescriptions are exempt.

Most walk-in care provided by GP practices but also some walk-in clinics and 24-hour NHS telephone helpline. Free ambulance service and access to accident and emergency. In patient care through GP referral and followcontractual arrangements between health authorities, Primary Care Trusts and the hospital.

Hospitals are semi-autonomous self-governing public trusts.

France - Social insurance system

All legal residents covered by public health insurance funded by compulsory social health insurance contributions from employers and employees with no option to opt out.

Most people have extra private insurance to cover areas that are not eligible for reimbursement by the public health insurance system and many make out of pocket payments to see a doctor.

Patients pay doctor's bills and are reimbursed by sickness insurance funds.

Government regulates contribution rates paid to sickness funds, sets global budgets and salaries for public hospitals.

In-patient care is provided in public and private hospitals (not-for-profit and for-profit). Doctors in public hospitals are salaried whilst those in private hospitals are paid on a fee-for-service basis. Some public hospital doctors are allowed to treat private patients in the hospital. A percentage of the private fee is payable to the hospital.

Most out-patient care is delivered by doctors, dentists and medical auxiliaries working in their own practices.

Singapore - Dual system

Dual system funded by private and public sectors. Public sector provides 80% of hospital care 20% primary care.

Financed by combination of taxes, employee medical benefits, compulsory savings in the form of Medisave, insurance and out-of-pocket payments.

Patients expected to pay part of their medical expenses and to pay more for higher level of service. Government subsidises basic healthcare.

Public sector health services cater for lower income groups who cannot afford private sector charges. In private hospitals and outpatient clinics, patients pay the amount charged by the hospitals and doctors on a fee-for-service basis.