We can’t afford universal healthcare?
My husband and I had a couple of visitors not too long ago - two young, wide-eyed Israeli men. They were impressed so far with their visit to the United States. Wow! We’re in America! This was their attitude. They were overwhelmed by such a rich country with so much to offer. Yet, they were puzzled, as we talked about current events, that the attitude of this country is that we can’t afford universal healthcare.
Let’s look at some facts.
Israel provides universal healthcare to their citizens. For as long as I’ve been visiting Israel, the New Israel Shekel to the US dollar exchange has been 4:1, or thereabouts.
In 2007, the United States provided $2.5 billion to Israel for military, economic, immigration, and other aid (as it has been since the Reagan years). The United States GDP is $46,900 per capita (CIA World Fact Book) and Israel’s is $28,600.
We are one of the most richest, most powerful countries in the world, even during a global recession. We can afford universal healthcare, especially if we can afford to send aid to our allies.
