Letter to Obama on Healthcare Reform

Dear Mr. President:We are at a dire crossroads in our society when it comes to health care. Many go uncovered or desperately undercovered. We spend the highest percentage of our GPD on health care of any nation, yet have nowhere near the highest level of performance or overall health. It is painfully obvious that our nation's health care system is in need of serious reform, and while that may seem a daunting task, I believe we can look to another nation for the blueprint. In its 2000 assessment of world health care systems, the World Health Organization found that France provided the "best overall health care" in the world. The French system of universal health care is one which the American public would benefit greatly from, and if the U.S. takes the initiative to adopt a successful universal health care system hopefully other countries around the world will follow leading to better health care worldwide.

British autos with cannon in France (LOC)

[Opera House staircase, Paris, France] (LOC)

Health care systems and universal health care

Management of France's health care is through the Social Security system. Health care funds are mostly derived from incomes of France's working population. It is estimated that almost 20% of an employee's compensation including employer contribution is remitted to the government. Of this amount, 12.5% is contributed by the employer, 0.75% by the employee, and 7.5% social security tax also collected from employees. These account for 60% of the Social Security fund. Other fund sources are indirect taxes from alcohol and tobacco. Health care is highly socialized. It does not discriminate any income levels wherein everyone is entitled to an equal level and quality of service in both public and private institutions. There is also no waiting list for the conduct of surgical procedures. Everyone can consult any health practitioner they want in any public or privately-run hospitals or clinics. The poorest population and those...