| As we excitedly wait for film maker Michael | | | | similar acts of Mother Nature. |
| Moore's new masterpiece,"Sicko," I decided to | | | | |
| do some research on Cuba's healthcare system. | | | | When it was time to go back to Cuba, the team |
| | | | of doctors saw a need for posting doctors in |
| "Sicko" spotlights the negligent U.S. | | | | several of these countries in order to train |
| healthcare system. In a brilliant example of | | | | local people in medicine. |
| contrast, Moore takes 911 fire fighters and | | | | |
| rescue workers with life threatening lung | | | | Thus the Havana-based Latin American School |
| problems their health insurance policies | | | | of Medicine or ELAM, was born, offering |
| refused to cover, first to the U.S. Post | | | | $10,000 scholarships for free medical |
| Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, where care was | | | | training. |
| refused; then to Havana, where the doctors | | | | |
| there happily treated them. | | | | The Program has grown to 22,000 students from |
| | | | Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia |
| 50,000 people are without healthcare | | | | and the United States. The students attend |
| insurance in the United States. Many of those | | | | ELAM and 28 other medical schools across |
| who are insured are under insured. The job of | | | | Cuba. The students represent all ethnic |
| the insurance companies is to deny claims and | | | | groups, 51% are women, and they come from 30 |
| services to their clients, whether they admit | | | | countries. |
| it, or not. | | | | |
| | | | A young person from inner city Bronx who |
| According to Health Care Now, the U.S. ranked | | | | chooses to take part in this program, |
| 58 in the provision of healthcare worldwide. | | | | forinstance, must promise to take her |
| More than 50% of American bankruptcies are | | | | expertise back to the neighborhood she came |
| the result of inability to pay for medical | | | | from. |
| emergencies. | | | | |
| | | | 350,000 people now work in the healthcare |
| The United States has aggressively attempted | | | | field in Cuba, serving a population of 11 |
| and consistently failed to destroy the | | | | million people. Everyone has access to |
| communist government of Fidel Castro, most | | | | doctors, nurses, specialists and medicines. A |
| recently through an ongoing blockade of goods | | | | doctor and nurse team oversees every |
| and services into that country. | | | | neighborhood. |
| | | | |
| Due to the pressure the U.S. has exerted on | | | | House calls are routine. The wisdom of |
| other countries to stop their trade with | | | | treating a patient holistically, knowing a |
| Cuba, Cuba has been forced to request higher | | | | patient's family and her environment, is |
| prices for goods and services, including | | | | crucial to successful treatment. |
| medicine. In one year, Cuba had to pay an | | | | |
| extra 45 million dollars for pharmaceuticals, | | | | Doctors and nurses in Cuba are trained in |
| which is 80% to 140% more than other buyers | | | | acupuncture, herbal treatments, massage and |
| of medicine, according to Medi-Cuba, the | | | | other natural health modalities, as well, |
| Cuban firm that imports medicine and human | | | | something lacking in American healthcare. |
| technology. | | | | |
| | | | The exportation of Cuban healthcare is a |
| Nevertheless, Cuba continues to offer free | | | | Peace Project that we all can learn from. |
| and comprehensive healthcare to all her | | | | |
| citizens. | | | | Before Cuba sent doctors to Pakistan, |
| | | | relations between these two countries were |
| In addition, since 1963, Cuba has exported | | | | not harmonious. But now, the relationship is |
| its exemplary healthcare service around the | | | | "magnificent," says Dr Ceballos, a Cuban |
| world, sending doctors and its own | | | | physician. |
| technological advancements in medicine to | | | | |
| countries throughout Latin America and | | | | The investments in healthcare missions "are |
| Africa. | | | | resources that prevent confrontation with |
| | | | other nations," Dr Ceballos explains. "The |
| Cuba provided much needed medical support | | | | solidarity with Cuba has restrained |
| after the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir, | | | | aggressions of all kinds." |
| Pakistan. Fidel Castro offered to lend | | | | |
| medical support after the devastation | | | | And in a statement that acknowledges Cuba's |
| following Hurricane Katrina. Medical | | | | vulnerabilities on the global stage, Dr. |
| Personnel were packed and ready to go. | | | | Ceballos explains, "It's infinitely better to |
| | | | invest in peace than to invest in war." |
| Unfortunately, the U.S. chose to play | | | | |
| politics over the saving of lives. | | | | A SINGLE PAYOR PLAN IN PENNSYLVANIA |
| | | | |
| EXPORTING HEALTHCARE | | | | "Family and Business Healthcare Security Act |
| | | | of 2007" is a single payor healthcare plan |
| Cuba trains international students at its | | | | currently being set forth in the state of |
| medical schools. After Hurricane George and | | | | Pennsylvania where I live. It may prove to be |
| Mitch plummeted Central America and the | | | | the prototype healthcare plan for every state |
| Caribbean, Cuban Doctors rushed to the | | | | in the union. |
| disaster zone, as was their practice for | | | | |