Gibbs Can't Name Countries Where Single-Payer System Works

[SilverFox466]

Canada is moving away from the Single Payer System. Now our country is on the verge of colapse due to Obama's over spending. Now he is campaigning on more hope and change claiming that it can't be done in 4 years. We were in much better shape before Obama implimented his hope and change. We can't afford another 4 years of Obama.

[rpottage]

@SilverFox466 Hey, Canadian here. Born in Victoria B.C., lived in Cornwall Ont, Kingston Ont, and Trenton (Quinte West) Ont. I just wanted to say: No we're not. We are very proud of our medicare system in Canada; and we're not getting rid of it.

[SilverFox466]

@rpottage That is why your Prime Minister came to the US for treatment because the Canadian health care is so great. Canada is moving away from socalism and Obama is moving towards it. The Labor Party of England collapsed in 1967 and Obama's policies is replucating that system. Look at it now, it is already failng.

[rpottage]

@SilverFox466 No, Harper doesn`t get treatement in the U.S. You`re thinking of Hubert Ingraham who was Prime Minister of the Bahamas, not Canada. Two very seperate places.

And the Labour Party in the U.K. did not collapse, it`s actually the Official Opposition right now with 258 seats in Parliment.

In the 60`s they became the Government, inheriting a massive defict from the conservatives. Theyl ost the next election, and with the same Prime Minister won the following one.

Please stop lieing.

[SilverFox466]

@rpottage No, it was the PM of Canada. I don't recall when it was but I believe it was 2007 or 2008. I have researched your medical care in your country. I have read about people waiting 6 months for basic treatment, and forget it if they need real medical attention. You can keep your medical care, I don't care for socialised medicine in the US.

[rpottage]

@SilverFox466 You haven't researched anything Harper did not seek treatment in the U.S. (He wouldn't be the PM anymore after that, Layton would have slaughtered him for that). You do not wait 6 months for basic treatment, and emergency medical attention is seen to immediately. In addition we cover all citizens (unlike the U.S.) at a lower cost per person; and we live longer, healthier, and have fewer dead babies (infant mortality rates). So in sum; you haven't researched anything.

[SilverFox466]

@rpottage Listen punk, don't tell me what or what I have not heard. Your system is expensive. If you like it great, I don't want a single pair system for the US. I don't care for socialized medicine. Your citizens have been coming to the US for years because they can't get an MRI. You don't know what your talking about when it comes to our health care system.

[rpottage]

@SilverFox466 Punk? Really? When your lies fail, you resort to "Punk?"

My system costs less per person through taxes than yours does. (Just search NationMaster, then healthcare costs per capita).

Not in large numbers; they absolutely can get MRI's here. And we have our own private clinics if you want an elective (not emergency, those you get in right away anyways) MRI but don't want to wait. Just like some Americans jump the border for meds.

I obviously know far more than you.

[mixmastermeeks]

@rpottage Actually Canada has private clinics where you can get "non-elective" surgery. They are illegal but they exist and people use them. If state ran health care works so well why does those clinics exist?

[rpottage]

@mixmastermeeks No, they're not illegal; that's just a blatant lie. And they exist because of the extras. Because people with money often like to have a room to themselves fully decked out with extra nurses and doctors there at the drop of a pin, as well as the works entertainment wise as opposed to sharing a room at a public hospital with a small corner t.v. with a few channels. The same reason why resteraunts work well at $20 a meal, but we still have a market for those at over $1000 per meal.

[mixmastermeeks]

@rpottage It is illegal in Canada for any clinic to charge for services paid for by the Canadian Health Care Act. So if you have a clinic and it provides those services for a charge it is ILLEGAL. Yet there are more than 70 of these clinics in British Columbia alone (la times, murphy, 2009) Many Canadians come down to the US to receive treatment because of the long wait. At least in my country I am (for now) still free to choose to pay for a surgery so I won't have to wait.

[mixmastermeeks]

@rpottage And Americans jump the border for meds for the same reason Canadians jump the border for care......because our government "regulates" the drug industry. This creates a monopoly for some drug companies and bureaucrats keep perfectly safe drugs from being sold, causing a rise in the price of their equals that are already sold.

[rpottage]

@mixmastermeeks That's not even close to being true. Meds are more expensive in the U.S. because you have multiple seperate hospitals buying in small quantities from a couple major companies giving them very little price control. Canada, on the other hand, has it's provinces run the public hospitals giving them major clout. In addition we have more generic brand drugs and we have a board that puts a cap on the price companies can charge. That's more regulation in Canada which reduces cost.

[mixmastermeeks]

@rpottage Um...you just basically said the same thing I did. We haveonly a few major drug companies because of gov regulations that limit competition. We have fewer generic drugs because we have gov regulations that limit competition. And the provinces running hospitals has nothing to do with the cost of drugs. And you are crazy if you think canada has MORE regulations on drugs and than America. And even more crazy if you think that is why they are cheaper. You have to be willfully blind.

[rpottage]

@mixmastermeeks No, that's the opposit of what I said. You do have fewer regulations. The reason you have fewer generic drugs is because the companies are able to combine their drugs to keep patents longer. Got two drugs with the patents about to expire? Combine them together and you extend the patent on both.

You really should study up on economics and Canada. We have far more regulation than the U.S. on most things, especially healthcare; and buying in bulk allows you to control prices.

[mixmastermeeks]

@rpottage I agree you have far more regulations than America. But it simply isn't true that your drug companies have more regulations. I'm sorry but that is a fact. Are FDAA will not approve generic drugs. Period. It isn't because the evil corporations want to keep people on the drug longer. That doesn't even make sense. The name brand and generic drugs do the same thing, one just costs more.

[mixmastermeeks]

@rpottage And I think you need to study up on economics and Canada. You didn't even know that it is illegal for clinics to provide services paid for by the Canadian Health Care Act. And that obviously those clinics exist because there are people in canada not happy with the state ran health care. And that my government's FDAA restricts (regulates) the selling of generic drugs and your doesn't restrict (regulate) their selling.

[rpottage]

@mixmastermeeks To quote "There are no barriers under the Canada Health Act to private clinics". Seriously, stop making shit up. You're either making stuff up, or you're listening to ignorant BS from somebody who is reading illiterate and doesn't understand that the Equal accessibility tenets in the Act refer to the public funding of private hospitals that allow out-of-pocket payment for servicesl; not whether the clinic can provide the services, which it can.

[rpottage]

@mixmastermeeks And contrary to what you seem to believe, limitation is not the sole form of regulation. You regulate less, which is why patent law is so widely conformitory. We regulate more, which allows the increased production of generic drugs sooner by regulating the industry to be more specific for the industry.

Seriously; you're like the guy who says his country regulates more because they allow more lead in their glass.

[cybervore]

This is because there are NO countries that single-payer systems work

[iLovePrincessDiana36]

Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, France, Norway, Denmark, Japan, UK...you know, civilized countries.

[from212]

@iLovePrincessDiana36 And even uncivilized ones like Cuba.

[xonoma]

Of course he dosn't know which countries they are. Jesus posting this video is like taking something WAY out of context, you cant expect him to READ peoples MINDS. How would he know which countries were being talked about with single payer systems that work IF THE COUNTRIES WERE NEVER NAMED IN THE FIRST PLACE?! The question was not directed to Gibb's, they simply asked who they were implying has single payer systems that work. Hes not going to say someone said something they didn't USE UR BRAIN

[nytbrd]

Moron

[jz580500]

he did name a couple he just doesnt want to get into a debate of who is the best, but lets see the U>S has a great single payer system its called medicare and its been here for a long time ask any senior citizen if they would like to get rid of it .

[burntorange500]

Pitifull

[gareof]

It might be too late, however we have to try for our children's sake...VOTE in 2010 to get all of the anti-God, anti-American, anti-Life, anti-marriage, intolerant, racist, marxist/socialist, demo-RATS out - My hope is that by 2012 this democratic party will be completely destroyed, never to be seen again in the USA...Vote Libertarian, Vote Republican, Vote Reform, Vote Independant, Vote Whig, Vote Torey - - ANYTHING but democrat - - This is NOT the democratic party Dad and Mome supported

[homesliceXbasco57]

Note to l1nuxun1l - if you are going to call somebody dumb, don't use "was" in an if clause.

But yeah, Gibbs is a tool. And Capitalism is the shit. And I'm gonna miss it.

[rawcatslurgeon]

Vicky Pollard from Little Brittain would be more credible!!!

[garzj019]

He didn't know precisely what countries with single-payer systems had a high approval rate of their systems. He answered perfectly. There is no way for a Press Secretary to have memorized approval rates on such a scale.

[joshatkins94]

Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UK, and France. All other developed countries have public option-like healthcare systems.

[SocratesTheGadfly]

joseph goebbels springs to mind EVERY TIME i see this buffoon.

such a darling of the liberal elite and effete snobs of the old liberal media.

lap dogs that just lap up the nonsensical bull that this man emotes.

quite hilarious if you ask me

[slikkwon]

haha

he's no Ari Fleischer

[l1nuxun1l]

Wow, if this guy was any smarter he might make it through 5th grade.

[Miredninja]

I can't stand this prick.

[milkmn00]

He says people in other countries like a single-payer system just as Americans like the system that they have now.

So if Americans like their system, why do you want an 'overhaul?' And if they dont like it, and others like their system 'just as' Americans like theirs, then other countries dont really like their system either. So why do you want an 'overhaul?'

[tkirklocke]

@milkmn00 They want an overhaul not because they want people to have healthcare and get treatment but because if they can overhaul the system to the way they want it it will give them an endless supply of taxpayer dollars to steal from and funnel into even more government run socialist programs.

[MrCZ52]

How is this man the press secretary? Hell, Obama might have done better with Gary Busey for all the sense Gibbs makes!

[chazo21]

He named three. The person that posted this video hasn't got a clue.

[TiredOldFart]

do a google search on "michelle obama patient dumping"

[dgray72]

This butt-clown had no idea what he was talking about. He named "three" that were provided from the parrot-press corp. Once again, transparency=ignorance. Typical obama stooge. Let's keep pushing universal healthcare, though. It's what "enlightened" europe has...

[dgray72]

@MLP88 Brain matter loss mlb88. You're daddy should've pulled out...

[MLP88]

@dgray72 Ah, you're the Butt-clown guy, right?

[Josfald]

He said 'I think'. Not that they have, but the empty suit politician tried to think.

No wonder his boss won the elections with acorn helping illegal aliens to vote in their millions and with folks like yourself able to pull a lever...

[track64]

The three countries that the reporter suggested, Gibbs said he "assumed" and "maybe" the people liked it. But he DID say American liked the one they have now.

[NocternalRevenue]

Gibbs and Pelosi - dumb dumb.

[JoeTheActorGuy]

BTW, Medicare is a single payer system and by all measurements does a better and more cost-effective job than the average for-profit insurance company. Will whoever out there wants to repeal Medicare, please come forward? And please do a little research about how many Americans travel to other countries for Rx.

[quickboat22]

Thats fine then expand Medicare. The reason for the cheaper prices in other countries for Rx is due to drug companies being able to put all of the R&D cost onto the domestic market. Why is that not part of the Health Care Bill?

[dgray72]

Joe, how solvent is Medicare? For you typical libstains, solvent means does it run with a surplus or deficit? More cost effective? Bankrupt plan is not doing a "better job than the average for-profit company". Your problem with Rx is the American pharmaceutical companies' R&D pays for the rest of the worlds' cures. Implement Obama care, watch R&D disappear.

[kayaksta]

Im not american but i do have business relations in your country. I'm fairly certain that Medicare is one of the most easily abused systems in the world. Billions upon billions are taken from it in fraudulent claims. Expanding it would not make it any better

[Mamouplayboy]

Kayaksta, I am glad you get it and you are not even from my country. I argue points like that all the time about socialized medicine. But like pellet fed lab rats, they want the "feel good" message of socialized anything. And they cant tell me how any of it will be paid for past 5-10 years.

[joshatkins94]

Ronald Reagan says: "pretty soon your son won't decide when he's in school, where he will go or what he will do for a living. He will wait for the government to tell him"

Just say no to socialized medicine. Just say no to Medicare. It's the Reagan way!

[meganpost]

@joshatkins94

I live in Canada and its a simple system, pick which doctor you want, you can pay for extra care just like in the states BUT you will not be over loaded in debt if you become sick and can't not pay.

You can pick which ever school you want to go to, anywhere with in distance, or once you're older you can move to one you want. Really you need to take your head out of the sand look around and see the USA is behind in heathcare

[joshatkins94]

@meganpost i was joking.

[skinflutey]

im for a public healthcare plan but this guy just looked stupid. if your going to be trying to push your policy through you should research it better so you can argue your point.

[fireamracing]

dumbass! fuck obama=hitler

[DD826]

This Government Run Healthe Care is so good the federal government has excluded itself from it. Just like Social Security and our banking system. They have their own retirement plan and they don't steal from it either and a banking system, where anything goes.

[DD826]

I am sure, Bobo could find another spot in his administration for Gibbs? Like maybe the White House Nanny. Maybe Bobo's kids would believe him?

[Allamericom]

What an unanswered stupid answer is this the same guy who hijacked the reporters while Obama was sneaking around the secrete meeting with the Fed reserve

[elnegrobembon]

government employees already have government run health care...

what do you think congress members and the military have??

[Formulabruce]

the Government doesnt have THIS PLAN, where doctors are all pushed to be primary care, less speciallists, less competition, less quality MORE WAITS...

[dragonstryke]

Only difference, the military's plan (unfortunately) sucks. But Congress used tons of money on itself to get quality care.

[bgvworldwide]

B. Hussein Obama did.

[P5Y0P]

we need to put health care back in the realm of the free-market. anytime you dump more bureaucracy (regulation = bureaucracy) on top of something, the operating costs increase. it is no different with health care. give the consumers more power to decide how their money is spent, let them choose between in-state plans and out of state plans, make those plans customizable, and do not subsidize unhealthy behavior. you will see more competition, which will result in lower prices for better care.

[mtemrich]

How about the US? It is called Medicare and the VA.

[bgvworldwide]

And those work so great! Medicare's long term liabilities are about three times the size of our economy and VA takes nine months minimum to process the initial claim. Awesome!

[wetleg]

Ewak, right wing propagandists are pretending page 16 will outlaw private insurance. That's nonsense. I read page 16, and it says nothing like that. Be a decent American and educate yourself!

[Formulabruce]

NO, it will PHASE it out as once you switch you have to take the Governemnt plan, PHASING OUT private insurance, and competition, and progress. without INCENTIVE, there will be NO new cures, do you get up to go to work, for NOTHING?

[osmarsus]

so the only incentive to find cures must be profit, Fucked up world huh?

[Formulabruce]

the costs to research and approve cures is high, so yeah profit is a motivation. this is why people come from ALL over the world to the USA for cancer treatment, as well as other specialties.

[EwakAmerica]

Americans, I need your help. Please help me promote the worlds largest national citizens arrest on all corrupt government, media and corporate officials who have violated the logan act, committed treason or violated their oath of office on Sept 10-12, 2009. If you care about family, future and your kids please copy and paste this on every blog, email and instant message site. Pay attention to lies people. If the poor thinks obama is going to help them they will soon be for a serious awakening.

[wetleg]

He hasn't worked anywhere? Gibbs has been working in politics since 1991. Conservatives aren't stupid, they've just been misled. And if you like the health care you have now, then keep it! If you want in on a public option, the choice is yours!

[EwakAmerica]

Did you read page 16 of the healthcare bill? You might want to take that statement back.

i guess you're relying on what youve been told instead of what you read...

[wetleg]

Conservatives are soooo stupid and misleading. Gibbs merely said he didn't know EXACTLY which country or countries Obama mentioned. He went on to say it could have been Canada, Britain, France, etc.....Too bad Heritage Foundation lackeys can't stick to the truth. Losers!

[jimdep333]

He finally got a tough question. The fact of the matter is is that HE HASN'T worked anywhere and it won't work here. Liberals are stupid and misleading.

[robotacon]

This is not a simple issue but as far as I can see the mix of private health care givers and public health care insurance is the best. Correct me if I'm wrong but that's what they have in France and that's what the US and countries like Sweden will get.

[finefilth]

The privatized American deathcare system STEALS billions daily while MURDERING thousands daily through suppression of cures and causes of disease

[Jaiden73]

Paolo7219, I'd love to see your facts to back up what you've said. The point is, you don't have facts. All you have are Liberal talking points that are designed to invoke fear and hatred in those that disagree with you.

[finefilth]

google "the whale medical fascism"..

google the medical mafia

watch eustace mullins ..murder by injection

[Paolo7219]

Study after study shows that Canadians love their healthcare system. Same story in the UK. Patient survey after survey shows an 85% satisfaction rate with THEIR health care system. The United States has THE most expensive health care in the WORLD and the HARSHEST form of rationing: 45-50 million Americans uninsured. The US is losing jobs to Canada because of US health care costs. Congress is in the pockets of Big Pharma and Big Insurance. There are SIX healthcare lobbyists for EVERY MC.

[AlisonMooreSmith]

My sister-in-law's mother is currently being treated by the Canadian healthcare system and my sister-in-law was a nurse IN it for years. Neither approve of the system, both prefer the US system.

[finefilth]

Come on down.. we dont go to the doctor or dentist at all.. I pull my rotting teeth with pliers and treat my genital warts with more pussy

fucking parasitism is what it is

[Paolo7219]

I don't know the specific issues re your relatives. But I think if they got a taste of the strictly-for-profit US system, they likely would have a different point of view. Health care costs are higher in the US. Try paying for an expensive hospital stay STRICTLY out of pocket sometime. THEN see how well one likes the American system. The leading cause of bankruptcies, among the elderly, are medical costs.Nurses are getting laid off in the US, even though there is ALSO a nursing shortage.

[AlisonMooreSmith]

Actually, she not only "has a taste" of it, but she lives in the US now. She and my brother have one child with a chronic illness and are having their SECOND child in the US this winter. And they VASTLY prefer the US system.

[AlisonMooreSmith]

For the record, I HAVE paid for expensive hospital stays "strictly out of pocket. With our first child we CHOSE to get only catastrophic insurance and pay ourselves. (Others could CHOSE to purchase inexpensive catastrophic if the WANTED to have that protection.)

Please also note that we are are business owners and have not had company insurance since 2001. AND we have a bunch of kids. AND we have pre-existing conditions. We find private insurance when we can. And we STILL prefer the US system.

[AlisonMooreSmith]

For the record, I have paid for many of my health care costs STRICTLY out of pocket. My husband and I CHOSE to get only catastrophic insurance when we had our first child and paid for the rest ourselves. We are also business owners and so are NOT on a company plan--and haven't been since 2001. And we vastly prefer the US system.

[AlisonMooreSmith]

Frankly, I think there are lots of things that could be done to improve the US system. For example, removing GOVERNMENT regulation that prevents so many kinds of insurance poolings. (Hello????) And I think what Romney did in MA has some good aspects. But turning our system--the BEST and most INNOVATIVE in the world--into a socialized system is the worst thing we could possibly do.

[Paolo7219]

Fact: the US health care system is, BY FAR, the most expensive in the world. And we have THE harshest form of rationing: 45-50 million Americans without health care. According to the World Health Organization, US health care does a POOR job in terms of delivery of service to patients. The US ranks 75th. You said you bought catastrophic insurance and pay out of pocket for the rest? I sincerely hope your insurer does not drop you if/when you need it. But that can and does happen.

[EwakAmerica]

Don't follow the mainstream news media people. Be careful, you can see the tide shifting, a 24 hour a day indoctrination on every channel, radio show and marketing effort will be generated toward enlistment into the obamatron machine

[jrjones529]

you guys are all a bunch of right wing tards. go get a brain.

[bamertide]

typical liberal comeback. Give a liberal facts and logic and they throw insults. Now who is the 'tard?

Get the facts and STFU.

[EwakAmerica]

These guys are criminals and have committed treason. I don't want to hear any excuses for people not attending july 4 rallies. Lets go American Dogs.

[evandaily]

Conservitaves better get their act together and bring an end to this CRAP in four years!!!

[finefilth]

**************FACT************­**

The American health care ripoff system is rated 38th in the world right behind the banana republic of Costa Rica

[finefilth]

The privatized American deathcare system STEALS billions daily while MURDERING thousands daily through suppression of cures and causes of disease

google the medical mafia

[TheRubberHandMan]

"just as Americans like the health care system they have"

ok, so why does Obama want to radically change it?

[grrgto]

BAM! I was thinking the same thing.

[MarginalPain]

Well. You could name us. Norway.

[czubspenx]

He doesn't know s_ _t from Shinola.

[handicat70]

US health cares the best?? What utter bullshit. Obviously you have never travelled out of the US. France for example provides excellent health care for its citizens.  Anyone who thinks Americas health care sytem works hasn't lost there job YET.

[Libertarianman88]

Ya except when you actually need some serious care like a surgery or major treatment. Then you have to wait for ever. The more the government gets involved the more expensive the care will be. And health care prices are already tremendously inflated. We need doctors and hospitals to come up with competing plans not the government or health care companies.

[SgtJesusLAPD]

The reason the French health care system works is because their economy is SOCIALIST. The government in France mandates prices for EVERYTHING. Ask the doctors in France if they like making 300% less dollars than American doctors per year. Ask Americans if they think the government should mandate prices on all their goods. The World Health Organization that named France #1 in the world in health care is a biased group of socialists that hate privatized medicine and that study has been criticized.

[finefilth]

Almost no one in france, canada or england would trade health plans with an american

[AlisonMooreSmith]

My sister-in-law would. And did. The rest of her family would if they could. Canadian healthcare stinks.

[chetdude]

It must be nice to be rich...

The rest of us get SCREWED by USAmerican "health care" that is RATIONED to those who can afford to pay!

But. I'm pretty sure you're a ringer or a troll so I won't take what you say seriously...

[strawspulled]

Hope in one hand. Shit in the other.

See which one fills up first.

[YankeeGlacier]

He is Obviously not wanting to commit to this trap question so they can pull apart details of each single payer countries' problems.

[blrenx]

He is the mouth of the white house Its one of two things he and the white house are bullshiting or don't know what there doing. You pick!

[MrMorrowman]

well,..UK has national health care and my wife is from Black Pool England and her aunt needed kimo for breast cancer and they told her i'd be a 6 months before they could get to her.She got a work visa here,stayed here for two yrs and now shes fine and cancer free.Now shes in the process of LEGALLY becomming a citizen here because our health care is the best,..and it is.

[invisablepersona]

Good God- What this short and horrid spec of History is going to look like when we look back on it.

[genehilbert]

OMG - we are so f*&ked - but they won - so they get to screw it all up with anonymity.

[xcoastie]

What a dumb ass, every time he opens his mouth a giant turd slides out. He is the perfect representative of Obama's failed attempt to impersonate a US president.

[Libertarianman88]

The entire white house is literally full of morons from Geithner to this dope.

[WinChicken]

LMFAO!

[ClassicFilm1957]

There is no authoritative data to support Obama's claim, which is why Gibbs is hemming and hawing. If there were such data, they would have been crowing about it from the White House rooftop.

Obama's misstepping and overreaching more and more this week... even Huffington Post wrote something negative about him today.

[revchf]

Come on folks, give Robert a break. If you see him more for the entertainment value than as a serious press secretary, you've got to admit, he has a natural talent. Besides, he got the last part right, "Americans like the healthcare system that they have." At least, I do!

[bpartoens]

How much flouride does Gibbs drink, or is it the mercury in the corn syrup that has made him such a scholar?

I think the reason most of our elected officials talk about the health care systems in Canada and the UK is that those are the only countries they can find on the map (some can locate Mexico but they aren't a first world economy--but at the rate we are going, soon we won't be either).

[terpis]

the redbaiters are go fishing for a freebie...shocking that Gibbs doesn't give them the pinata their hoping for. Shocking.

Worth noting that Gibbs does offer up Britain (a Thatcher-warped system, btw), Canada & France as likely candidates...not to mention that there's nothing secret about these systems & reporters could always, you know, do their homework and make the appropriate comparisons.

[howdythere34]

Way to go Gibbs you are the poorest press sec. I have ever seen. Can't name a single country? Dont you think this would be valuable info to have when trying to cram down a healthcare reform bill that would use this method. Thats because it doesn't work and it sucks....Gibbs are you retarded??