I believe one of Americas weakest and strongest points is our desire for individuality. While being an individual has helped us flourish, it is also now hindering us as we try to achieve better healthcare. Like some of my classmates, I too think that now if the time for the government to help step in and assume a little bit more control in trying to create a stronger system. Our laissez-faire insurance driven system clearly doesn't and is not working as we have millions uninsured and unable to pay for basic health care. We need to step back and learn from countries like Israel who establish healthcare systems under the concept that their population not only needs healthcare, but that it is a basic right. Instead here we espouse the idea of having good healthcare, but only if you can afford the pay to play system. Israel is on the right track with a strong primary care system, and that also is a direction we need to think about system our healthcare system is so heavily ladened with specialist. I know that Israel's system is not without its faults as well, but I guess it is the whole idea of learning from both the good and the bad.

single payer system with quality

Unlike U.S., Israel health system has universal coverage and is run by the government (single payer). Each citizen pays certain percentage of their income as health care tax and Israel spend less GDP in health care than U.S. There are 4 HMOs in Israel and they compete to attract more citizens with better medical benefits. Like in Japan, the ministry of Health sets guidelines for these 4 organizations by providing a list of medical treatments and services that each has to provide to the members. The undocumented immigrants and minorities in Israel may not have full health coverage due to segregation and lack of development of culture-sensitive health care services but at least they have some access to the health care. The combination of a single-payer system with the possibility to choose between four public providers (HMO) makes the Israel health care system relatively equal and efficient. The bottom line is Israel has fairly better access to care than U.S. while maintaining high quality and controlling the costs from the government.

Looking at Israel's health care system just reinforces the common theme that these ideas, including robust primary care, a basic package of health benefits for all, mandatory insurance, etc are good ideas and work in a variety of settings. Why can't we do the same? I think what current reformers need to do is to work together instead of bickering so much that nothing ends up being done. The US needs to learn that in the end, doing something is better than doing nothing and needs to put the health of the population first. In Israel, people migrated from diverse areas but are much more united by their history of persecution and common religion (birthright, mandatory military service, etc). In the US, however, differences between groups are exaggerated and are instead used to hinder any real reform.

It is ok for the government to get involved!

I have come to realize that one major obstacle that keeps America from adopting universal health care, is the fear of government involvement. Although, we see government involvement in the field of health care working for other thriving nations, we refuse to see the benefits and in fact the responsibility we should be placing on our government to provide all of us with coverage. Israel is a great example of a nation that has let the government take the lead in health care. The people are not afraid nor are they hesitant to let the government be a figurehead in health care.
Additionally, I believe that there needs to be a revolutionary spin on the principle of individuality in America. I know that America is founded on principles of independence, liberty, and individualism. These are good principles and values, but we need to re-shape the way individualism is viewed. Just because we unify as a country under one government who will provide every citizen with health care, it does not mean we are denouncing our rights and our uniqueness- our individuality. In terms of health care, we need to shift from an individual-goal oriented society into a group-goal oriented society, once again realizing that this does not mean we are giving up our individuality. Israel views health care as a right and as something that everyone should have access to. I think America needs to do the same.