We Are NOT the World

That a doctor should have any right, desire or choice in the matter, was regarded as irrelevant selfishness; his was not to choose, they said, only 'to serve.' Let them discover what kind of doctors their system will now produce. Let them discover, in their operating rooms and hospital wards, that it is not safe to place their lives in the hands of a man whose life they have throttled.

Ayn Rand - Atlas Shrugged


The next time you find yourself supporting or even romanticizing the idea of socialized medicine, I suggest you catch the next flight to Rome. Skip the normal stuff; the tours of the Coloseo, the Pantheon and the Fontana di Trevi. Instead, head straight for Policlinico Hospital right in the heart of Rome. You'll immediately notice how well-funded, safe, and clean it is and also what a high-level of technology is being used. Next you'll find out what patient care really means. Then make sure to have a friend in the hospital for something serious and have her tell you about how great she is being treated, how fantastic the staff is at their jobs and how much they care for each and every patient in the room (8 of them).

If that didn't come across clearly, I was being sarcastic, very, very sarcastic. My poor friend has been in the hospital here for like 10 days and is absolutely miserable. Being in a hospital for an extended period of time is already one of the worst things for anyone to go through but try doing it outside of the u.S. She's being treated poorly and with techniques that are dated and in a facility that one could call a "hospital" only in euphemistic terms. It makes me sick that people actually think that "free" health care is the way to go.

With the Ayn Rand quote in mind, ask yourself why Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's richest man, traveled to Cleveland, Ohio to have his heart surgery. I'm almost positive he didn't go to The Cleve for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or to get a taste of America's hottest culinary scene (no joke) though maybe he stayed for it.