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Politics : View from the Center and Left -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Dale Baker who wrote (118152)	8/14/2009 10:05:48 AM
From: Wharf Rat	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 541877

Brits Rush To Defend NHS From US Attacks 6:22pm UK, Wednesday August 12, 2009 Web users have rushed to defend the NHS after critics of Barack Obama's health reforms branded British hospitals "evil". The Twitter 'hashtag' #WeLoveTheNHS has become the most-discussed topic The words "we love the NHS" rose to become the most-written about topic on Twitter as a campaign to defend British hospitals swept the internet. The US president is trying to introduce changes which would allow more uninsured Americans to get access to healthcare. But opponents have paid for a $1m (£600,000) advertisement campaign warning it is a "socialist" plan to mimic Britain's "evil" national health service. The controversial adverts have so far provoked nearly 4,000 posts of support using the Twitter hashtag #welovetheNHS. Most have shared personal stories about their own friends and family. Some of the posts on Twitter niknoks1912: If Sarah Palin lived in the UK she would get free contraception and mental health care twitter.com "My Dad was given 6 wks to live - without NHS I wouldn't have had him for 2 more years after acute myloid leukaemia diagnosis," Twitter user 'laragreenway' posted. "My brother had a heart attack last week and has been given world class care," 'mwskinn' wrote. It has won support from NHS Direct, which has its own Twitter account. The row has been further fuelled by a scathing blog post from former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott on the Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan. The EU politician criticised the NHS on US television, saying "I wouldn't wish it on anybody," due to "huge waiting lists" and "bad survival rates". He has previously told American viewers the health service was a "60-year mistake". Mr Prescott said the comments undermined the Conservatives' claims they are a progressive party. news.sky.com

To: Dale Baker who wrote (118152)	8/14/2009 2:07:15 PM
From: Al Greenleaf	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 541877

I'd love to believe that "Just heard that a million Brits have signed up to a pro-National Health Service page" but you posted no link. I only know 3 brits, and all three hate the system. One had a severe infection and got to see a doctor promptly, but was not allowed to have any prescribed antibiotic. The reason was cost. It was suggested to her that she wait and see if it cleared up by itself. She eventually got the prescription, when her temperature hit 103. One of the others, (our ISO Auditor) stated that the availability of healthcare in the UK depended greatly on your postal code! These are both first hand stories from people I know, who have no reason to lie. People on both sides agree that health care needs reform. But, why not take some time to investigate it properly, and especially to review the cost drivers, in order to reduce those costs. Believing everything the government tells you is a dangerous proposition. We will save money, Obama said on TV. And, at the same time, we will cover 50 million additional people. Ummm.. "and then magic happens?"