On "Universal" Health Care
28 June 2007
Editor, Chicago Tribune
Dear Editor:
By detailing the long waiting lists and other problems suffered by the British, nurse Helen Evans usefully reminds us of the perils of so-called "universal health care" ("What Michael Moore left on the cutting room floor," June 26). Just yesterday I heard a sad story that suggests that the French suffer similarly.
Visiting friends in Arles, I learned that their 60-year-old neighbor recently died. Although this man had a history of heart trouble, when a few weeks ago he experienced severe chest pains and went to the hospital for treatment, he was told that the hospital was full. "Go home and call back later to see if a room has opened up." He did so. A room never opened up. He died.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Editor, Chicago Tribune
Dear Editor:
By detailing the long waiting lists and other problems suffered by the British, nurse Helen Evans usefully reminds us of the perils of so-called "universal health care" ("What Michael Moore left on the cutting room floor," June 26). Just yesterday I heard a sad story that suggests that the French suffer similarly.
Visiting friends in Arles, I learned that their 60-year-old neighbor recently died. Although this man had a history of heart trouble, when a few weeks ago he experienced severe chest pains and went to the hospital for treatment, he was told that the hospital was full. "Go home and call back later to see if a room has opened up." He did so. A room never opened up. He died.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Posted by Don Boudreaux on
Sunday February 3, 2008 at 12:28pm