Feb
2
Taking into consideration that a large number of American retirees may relocate to Mexico in the coming years, the Mexican Health Ministry recently expressed the possibility that in addition of the sunny beaches the country currently offers to visitors, medical treatments and surgeries could be offered as well.
Medical Tourism
With the support of other federal agencies, during the next couple of years the Mexican Ministry of Health plans to create the infrastructure for medical tourism, including private medical facilities as well as training of bilingual Spanish-English caregivers. The Health Ministry announced that eight private institutions accredited by a joint US-Mexico commission have already attained certification under the standards of this bi-national commission.
Other nations whose private sector is already benefiting from this newly created global market include Brazil, Costa Rica, Thailand, India and other Asian countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam, which are quickly catching up with this medical tourism trend.
Pilot programs to train bilingual nurses are currently in the stage of preparation, and one strategy being adopted to mitigate the risk of brain drain towards higher pay offered in the US is to focus the training on higher-tier sectors of the Mexican health care delivery such as plastic surgery and other specialized treatments.
In a traditional Mexican tourist town such as Puerto Vallarta, there are already indications that cheaper treatment fees for coincidental visits to the doctor or dentist are being noticed and appreciated by sick tourists.
The pamphlet of a local medical services provider advertises specialists, family doctors and even psychologists. The website of this particular Hospital with headquarters in the city of Guadalajara lists foreign insurance companies with which it currently works, accepting their payments. Some of the insurance companies listed include Cigna, Aetna and International Health Insurance of Denmark.
The success of the Mexican Ministry of Health’s medical tourism initiative will depend on various trends related to the socioeconomic, political and security situations at the borders of both countries. Right now the current levels of violence in the border region will likely affect the potential growth in the short-term. Depending upon the outcome of the health care reform in the US, and whether costs are increased as a result of the legislation being passed, the initiative would have better chances of succeeding.
Insurance companies mentioned:
Cigna
For more than 125 years, CIGNA has been helping people lead healthier, more secure lives. The company provides health care and related benefits offered through the workplace. Key product lines include health care products and services (medical, pharmacy, behavioral health, clinical information management, dental and vision benefits, and case and disease management); and group disability, life and accident insurance. In addition, CIGNA also provides life, accident, health and expatriate employee benefits insurance coverage in selected international markets, primarily in Asia and Europe.
Aetna
Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services. These include medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life, long-term care and disability plans and medical management capabilities. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans and government-sponsored plans.
International Health Insurance of Denmark
IHI was one of the first insurance companies in the world to offer international insurance plans. Over the last 30 years IHI has introduced more new products than any of the competitors including preventative services, health consulting services and online solutions for the convenience of our customers. In 2005 IHI were bought by the worlds largest health care provider Bupa and became a Bupa branch in 2009. Now we’re called ihi Bupa and continues to deliver the best in healthcare and travel-insurance.
Feb
1
GE Healthcare and Gulf Capital in Strategic Alliance to Provide Healthcare Services Across MENA Region
Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment
The private equity firm Gulf Capital and General Electric’s Healthcare Division, GE Healthcare, are joining forces in an effort to start a chain of healthcare services and diagnostic centers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The partnership revolves around Gulf Capital either acquiring relevant companies already in business or starting new ventures while GE Healthcare will provide support via access to their international commercial products as well as corporate solutions and services. The chain of service centers will initially be rolled out in Egypt and Saudi Arabia offering medical imaging, physiotherapy, and dialysis, laboratory and oncological services as well. The chain will be moved on to other countries as business opportunities arise in the future.
GE Healthcare and Gulf Capital will be working closely with GE Capital Markets Corporate (CMC) which will provide financing solutions for the partnership including equipment financing and financial advisory services. As part of the deal, Gulf Capital will also gain access to GE Healthcare strategic and financial partners as well as GE’s full list of global business practices as well as the GE toolkit for best business practices.
The partnership looks to make a proactive move to provide advanced diagnostic capabilities in the Middle East as the region is seeing an increased incidence of diseases relating to lifestyle such as diabetes, heart conditions and obesity-related problems.
Companies Mentioned:
Gulf Capital – Founded in 2005, Gulf Capital is a private equity firm that focuses on creating growth through acquisitions and proactive management techniques employed in companies in their portfolio.
GE Healthcare – GE Healthcare is a unit of the General Electric Company that focuses on medical technology and services including medical diagnostic equipment, information technology and patient monitoring systems.
GE Capital Markets Corporate (CMC) – GE Capital is the financial services arm of General Electric International Incorporated. They provide a wide range of financial products and services to business clients, as well as developing strategic partnerships that hinge upon GE’s other industry specific branches.
Jan
29
In Houston on Tuesday 26th January, U.S. District Judge David Hittner ruled against Lloyd’s underwriters and in favor of R. Allen Stanford. This means that Mr. Stanford can now use the Lloyd’s of London insurance policies covering his companies’ directors and officers to pay lawyers to defend him against upcoming criminal charges. Stanford is currently being held without bail, a trial has been scheduled for January 2011. He’s charged with defrauding investors in a $7 billion Ponzi scheme involving certificates of deposit and could be imprisoned for decades.
Lloyd’s underwriters had denied coverage in November, saying the policy was voided by the August guilty plea of James M. Davis, who had been chief financial officer for Stanford Financial.
Stanford before & after his arrest
Stanford had sued to force Lloyd’s to pay his defense costs. Joining Stanford in the insurance suit were three criminal case co-defendants including former Stanford Financial Group Co. investment chief Laura Pendergest-Holt, and former accounting executives Gilbert Lopez and Mark Kuhrt.
The position taken by Lloyd’s “is absurd because these circumstances are precisely why corporations procure D&O insurance on behalf of their directors and officers,” Hittner wrote in his 42-page opinion. “Indeed, it would contravene the very purpose of the policies — as well as the policy language itself — to require (the accused) to prove their innocence before being entitled to funds for their defense.”
Stanford’s attorneys said the position taken by Lloyd’s effectively required him and his co-defendants to prove their innocence to the underwriters prior to receiving indemnity against legal fees.
Dan Cogdell, an attorney for Pendergest-Holt, said in an e-mail that he and his client were “relieved” by the decision. “The judge’s order now allows us to properly defend our clients without fear of going into bankruptcy,” Cogdell said.
Insurance Products Mentioned:
D&O insurance – Directors and Officers liability Insurance
Liability insurance payable to the directors and officers of a company, or to the organization(s) itself, to cover damages or defense costs in the event they suffer such losses as a result of a lawsuit for alleged wrongful acts while acting in their capacity as directors and officers for the organization. Such coverage can extend to defense costs arising out of criminal and regulatory investigations/trials as well; in fact, often civil and criminal actions are brought against directors/officers simultaneously.
Insurance companies mentioned:
Lloyd’s
Lloyd’s is the world’s leading specialist insurance market and occupies fifth place in terms of global reinsurance premium income, and is the second largest surplus lines insurer in the US. In 2009, 74 syndicates are underwriting insurance at Lloyd’s, covering all classes of business from more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. Lloyd’s is regulated by the Financial Service Authority.
Jan
29
IAIS to Set Up Supervisory Framework for International Insurance Groups
Filed Under Healthcare, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
The International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) has given the go-ahead for the creation of a Common Framework for the Supervision of Internationally Active Insurance Groups.
A task force led by Monica Mächler of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) drew up the recommendations in order to develop better supervision of internationally active insurers’ group structure, business mix and intra-group transactions. The purpose of the increased monitoring of international insurance groups’ business operations is to help identify risks and establish protective measures as needed.
A wide-ranging concept paper on the framework is set to be ready in the first half of 2011 with the framework to be completed by 2013. It will set out both quantitative and qualitative requirements for the insurance supervisors from the 140 countries participating in the IAIS smoothing the way for wide-spread implementation as well as cooperation and interaction between supervising entities.
Entities Mentioned:
International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) – The IAIS was 
established in 1994 and represents insurance supervisors and regulators from 190 jurisdictions in 140 countries. It works to promote financial stability by issuing worldwide insurance standards, principles and guidance papers as well as offering training on issues pertaining to insurance supervision.
Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA – FINMA is the 
independent Swiss authority supervising insurance companies, banks, stock exchanges, securities dealers and other financial intermediaries. Created by the FINMASA Act which was approved by parliament in 22 June 2007 which into full force on 1 January 2009; it combined the Federal Office of Private Insurance (FOPI), Swiss Federal Banking Commission (SFBC) and the Anti-Money Laundering Control Authority.
Jan
28
Prudential plc has announced a partnership with United Overseas Bank (UOB) in Singapore to distribute Prudential’s insurance products through United Overseas Bank’s retail network. The deal entails that in addition to the partnership, Prudential will also buy UOB Life Assurance in Singapore for S$428 million .
The bancassurance partnership which will last for 12 years, means that Prudential will be able to market and sell their protection, savings and investment insurance products through UOB’s 414 bank branches throughout Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.
Prudential already has 400,000 agents across 13 markets in Asia, including: China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. The pending deal would help solidify Prudential’s standing in the region and give it further opportunity for growth given UOB’s strong distribution network.
Companies Mentioned:
Prudential plc – Prudential has been in the insurance and financial services business since 1848. Today they operate throughout the UK, US and Asia offering international health insurance and retirement planning services, supported by 27,000 employees worldwide.
United Overseas Bank – United Overseas Bank has been operating in Singapore since 1935. For the last 75 years they have been growing their operations based on high quality products and customer service and now the UOB Group runs 500 offices in 18 countries in Asia, North America and Western Europe.
Jan
14
Earthquake Injuries
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On Tuesday January 12 2010, the Island nation of Haiti suffered a major disaster in the form of an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale. Although there is no threat of a Tsunami, the country has continued to be ravaged by aftershocks after the primary incident, some of which have measured as high as 6.0 on the Richter scale. Red Cross estimates indicate that as many as 3 million people have been affected while the cost of the damage caused by the quake could exceed billions of dollars. The quake was the worst natural disaster to strike Haiti in 200 years.
Earthquakes, one of the most damaging natural disasters which a nation can face, are caused by the movement of the Earth’s crust in the form of tectonic plates. These plates will often rub and grind against each other (which is how mountain chains such as the Rockies formed) often resulting in tremors or vibrations. These vibrations are what are colloquially referred to as Earthquakes.
Depending on the severity of the quake in question, and the standard of construction in the country where the quake occurs, the most common type of damage associated with this type of disaster is property damage and loss; which can consequently result in the loss of human life. Common human injuries associated with Earthquakes often include cuts, broken bones, crush injuries, and dehydration from being trapped in rubble. However, it is important to note that with every natural disaster the scope of injuries, and the impact on a populace, will be largely dependent on the time of the incident, population density, and the quality of construction/housing in the area in question.
On the 17th of January 1994 the Northridge Earthquake, measuring 6.9 on the Richter Scale, struck Los Angeles. As a result of the quake roadways, utilities, and private property throughout the greater L.A. area were severely damaged and a total of 171 people sought treatment at L.A. hospitals for earthquake related injuries.
The injuries experienced by the L.A. population during the 1994 earthquake were wide and varied. Of the 171 people injured, 33 were fatalities while 138 required hospital admission. There were no statistical differences between the injuries received by men and women, although the prevalence for an individual suffering an injury during the quake was shown to increase with age. Most of the fatalities of the Northridge Earthquake were due to the collapse of buildings on people, which resulted in head or chest injuries, and consequently death. The majority of non-fatal hospital admissions were due to an individual falling, or being hit on the head by falling objects. Motor vehicle injuries, including burns, were also common among those survivors admitted to hospital – this was in part due to the extensive damage suffered by the city’s road network.
At the time of writing, details on the Haiti Earthquake are still coming in. Haitian government officials estimate that the final death toll may exceed 100,000 people while hospitals in the country are struggling to cope with the deluge of patients waiting to receive treatment. Considering that the standard of construction in Haiti is significantly lower than the standards in the USA, and that the Haitian quake was 0.1 times stronger than the Northridge incident, it can be expected that the damage will be wider and worse in Haiti.
Oct
2
Good News for People Who like Bad News: Swine Flu Still Here
Filed Under Expat Insurance, Health Insurance, Healthcare, International Healthcare, Medical Insurance, Swine Flu, Uncategorized | 2 Comments
Now that the summer is winding to a close, we can all start getting ready for flu season. Only problem is, it’s come early this year.
Influenza-like illnesses are on the rise in both Britain and the United States. The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are reporting that influenza-like illnesses have been on the rise in the U.S. for the last six weeks and while the numbers of influenza hospitalizations are similar or below regular flu season levels, it’s still higher than expected for this time of year. Currently, 26 U.S. states are reporting widespread influenza activity. Across the pond in England, numbers of estimated cases are at 14,000 people, which is 5,000 more cases than the previous week.
Swine flu continues to affect every age group, with 79 reported outbreaks in English schools since the start of the fall term with 39 of those occurring in two areas and 49 pediatric deaths in America (pediatric medicine covers infants to adolescents). Swine flu also remains is a major concern for people with severe underlying medical conditions, such as leukemia, and expectant mothers.
Swine flu vaccines are of course being prepared to be rolled out later this year, with the WHO estimating production capacity at 3 billion doses per year. Thankfully, clinical trails indicate that only one dose is necessary to give immunity to older children and adults, but 3 billion doses per year still doesn’t cover the 6.8 billion people walking the earth right now. Given that many countries are reliant upon vaccine donations, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Norway and the United States have pledged vaccine donations for developing countries. Understandably, the WHO is open to similar contributions and support from other countries.
On a sadder note, a telephone survey carried out by Consumer Reports found that only 34% of U.S. Adults would definitely get vaccinated. Furthermore, only 35% said they plan to have their child vaccinated, with 14% decidedly against the idea of vaccinating their child. Of all the people who are currently undecided or opposed to getting vaccinations 63% said they wanted to build ‘natural immunities’. This is, unfortunately, a tragic misunderstanding with potentially fatal consequences, according to Dr. John Santa, the director of health ratings for Consumer Reports, “[y]our body produces exactly the same antibodies, whether it’s from a ‘natural’ infection or from a vaccine[.]”
While the vaccine is still in the mail, let’s take a quick moment to reflect on what we can all do to help us, and those around us, not get infected. Wash your hands! With Soap! Let’s be clear now, running half a second’s worth of water over your hands and not even glancing at the soap dispenser accomplishes absolutely nothing. Given that influenza is communicable either by direct person-to-person transmission (the genius next to you on the bus is coughing and sneezing on you), or through surface contact (someone sneezes on an object, then you touch the object and then your face), it’s always a good time to wash your hands.
It is also important that if you’re going to cough or sneeze that you cover your mouth. While this may seem like a simple enough thing to do, most people just don’t do it. If you’re going to use a tissue to cover your face when coughing or sneezing, cover your face with it and then make sure to throw the tissue away. Carrying around a tissue filled with germs isn’t good for anyone and it sort of makes you a disease vector. Should you not have a tissue at hand, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow. Given that the influenza virus can survive on the surface of objects, if have the flu and you cough all over your hands and don’t wash them immediately, you’re basically spreading the virus to every object you touch after that. Trust me, that’s a bad thing.
Please take care as we come closer to the regular flu season, especially now that children have gone back to school. It is important that we all make an effort to stay clean and not get sick, please, for the sake of us all, make sure that you know how to wash your hands and cover your face properly. More importantly, put your knowledge into practice. Stay safe, I’m off to wash my hands.
Aug
7
Medical Cash for Clunkers: Rejuvination on the way?
Filed Under Healthcare, Medical Insurance, USA Health Insurance, Uncategorized | 1 Comment
The hot topic currently dominating American news headlines is President Obama’s proposed healthcare reforms, and with both Congress and the Senate on their August recess until September 8th speculation is running rampant as to what actions, if any, will be implemented by the proposed House Healthcare Bill titled “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009”. There has been much argument on both sides of the political arena as to the need of such an act, and the need for reform. However, with so much spin flying left and right it is understandable that the average American might be slightly confused about the facts. As promised in our last post, we are here to try and dig through the deluge of misinformation and try to enlighten you as to the truth of healthcare reform in modern
By now it should come as no surprise that the
Step forward President Obama.
It is not news that even as a Senator, Obama was keen to implement changes to a necrotic, decrepit, and rapidly deteriorating medical system. As we mentioned in our June 18, 2008 post however, he planned to accomplish a rejuvenation of the system primarily by forcing the extinction of paper as a medium to convey patient information and medical records. The paperless healthcare system is still a primary goal for the now president, but a wider range of initiatives are potentially on the books. The goals of the Obama administration reforms include, among other things:
Reduce long-term growth of health care costs for businesses and government
Protect families from bankruptcy or debt because of health care costs
Guarantee choice of doctors and health plans
Invest in prevention and wellness
Improve patient safety and quality of care
Assure affordable, quality health coverage for all Americans
Maintain coverage when you change or lose your job
End barriers to coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions
It would seem that these objectives are relatively straight forwards, full of common sense, and indeed necessary to revitalize the system and ensure that American citizens are no longer beholden to the insurance organizations “protecting their health”. However, as always in the 
Let’s be quite clear on one thing, the reforms are not meant to establish a universal healthcare system. Yes, there has been debate on the subject, but the reality is that, due to the very makeup of the US political system any Bill or Legislation that aims to create an NHS style healthcare network would fail miserably (remember that both the Senate and Congress must pass a bill in order for it to become law). The Republicans would scream bloody murder at the merest hint of such reform, and the more fiscally conservative Democrats would be none too pleased either.
No, Obama’s current objective is to create an equal playing field for all Americans to receive comprehensive healthcare coverage (whether received by a private health insurance company or through a government run program like Medicare or Medicaid), and ensure that should they loose their job, or suffer a major illness, the coverage will not cease. In addition to this, the President has placed a large emphasis on the ability of the American consumer to choose their healthcare plan. If the goal was to institute a universal healthcare system, it would be a case of “one plan fits all”, by clearly stating that his aim is to give the consumer freedom of choice when it comes to their medical protection, the President has given us a great deal of insight to his driving force – let the market be free and active, but also competitive and fair. The idea here being that the insurance companies offering the best coverage conditions will thrive, while those that impose hefty exclusions, automatically large deductibles or excesses, and engage in the dubious practice of recision will fail.
However, as part of the usual everyday politicization that occurs in the
Town hall meetings across the
The objective of reforming the healthcare system in the
In addition to this, the American health insurance industry stands to learn a thing or two from current “best practice” as it exists in the international marketplace. Current international health insurance plans will automatically allow a policyholder to visit the hospital or doctor of their choice, anywhere in the world – which is quite a big step up from freedom of choice in your home town. Guaranteed renewals, self selected deductibles, very high coverage limits, and a range of other standard benefits make global health insurance a radically different product to the insurance options currently available in the USA, and at the end of the day President Obama’s reforms really only emulate that which is standard in the international community.
Here at International Insurance News we believe in giving the consumer all the information that they need to make an informed decision. Any reforms which would see coverage improved and extended cannot help but make for a better product, at the end of the day it will encourage healthy competition and eliminate bad business practices. But it is the American consumer who will need to be vocal on the issue and see beyond politicized fabrication by special interest groups.
All this huffing and puffing and there hasn’t even been a vote yet. It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming weeks, and as always, we will keep you updated.
Jul
31
Genetic Changes Could Pose More Problems: The Global Flu Situation
Filed Under Medical Insurance, Uncategorized | 5 Comments
The word is out on Swine Flu. The international community has recognized the threat that the virus poses and has moved rapidly to deal with the situation, mainly by producing mass stocks of TamiFlu and making loud noises about ensuring the right population segments receive the vaccine. This is all well and good, not to mention exactly what we expect from our world leaders, but the question could be posed that, perhaps, we are focusing on the H1N1 strain of flu a little too extensively?
On the 30th of June 2009, a report was released by the South China Morning Post (subscription required) outlining the details relating to a wide spread infection of H3N2 flu throughout
At the issuing of the afore mentioned report Swine Flu accounted for 49% of all flu infections in Hong Kong, while the H3N2 strain accounted for 43%. However, without knowing what the genetic changes in the virus actually mean, these figures are not terrible in and of themselves. What is concerning is the fact that the genetic mutation observed in Hong Kong has also been noted by public health officials in
H3N2 Flu viruses are not new to science, in fact, none of the “A” type influenzas are unknown – they all tend to occur seasonally in populations around the world. Swine Flu, for instance, is a relation to the Spanish Flu of 1918 – 1919 (one of the main reasons for inflated levels of caution when dealing with this strain), and reappeared in North America during 1976 – leading to one confirmed fatality and a Presidential decision for national vaccination across the
The first identification of an H3N2 influenza strain occurred in 
All of the A Type Influenzas (H1N1, H2N2, H3N2, H5N1, etc) are naturally carried by wild Fowl, and have been demonstrated to be transmitted between wild fowl and humans or pigs. These viruses can then be transmitted from Humans to Pigs or Humans to Domestic poultry. The 2009 incidence of H1N1, or Mexican Swine Flu, is thought to be based in a transmission from pigs to humans at pig farms in rural
This transmission vector means that in certain parts of the world, those where humans, swine, and poultry live in close proximity to each other, it is relatively easy for new flu strains to occur. This fact is evidenced by the recent global outbreak of Mexican Swine Flu which is believed to have jumped from pigs in massive industrial farms to humans. A similar situation is with regards to the H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu), which continues to have periodic outbreaks in areas with large numbers of migratory birds. Avian Influenza is believed to have jumped from domestic fowl and poultry populations in southern
All of this information means that while healthcare professionals and scientists may have a general understanding of the way that global pandemics may progress, we cannot be 100% certain of any given outcome. Which is why, when the mutation of the H3N2 virus was noted in
The fact that Swine Flu has been relegated to a “second tier” of news rather than dominating headlines around the world should raise some serious alarms. While most major governments have assured their populations that the resources are in place to fight the pandemic, the question of whether those resources will continue to work going into the northern hemisphere’s winter months remains unanswered. If the genetic changes in the H3N2 virus prove to be worse than we currently imagine, and if those changes – as currently thought – have the potential to render current anti-viral drug stocks irrelevant, how are we prepared to deal with the fallout?
In places like the USA, where the headlines are currently being dominated by a debate on Obama’s Healthcare Reform Proposal (a topic on which we will expand in a later post), it is understandable that Swine Flu, perceived in the USA as a relatively mild seasonal flu, is not receiving the full attention that it deserves. However, with the H3N2 mutation being observed in populations where the Swine Flu infection is spiraling out of control (as in Britain, where the number of confirmed cases has exceeded 55,000 people and is rising) something must be done sooner rather than later.
Who knows what the end result could be.
Feb
2
Time to go private?
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With the emergence of the modern global financial crisis, a number of issues previously relegated to the sidelines of the political agenda have started to present increased challenges to individuals and the world. One of the major problems facing government and citizens alike are ever increasing healthcare costs. Medical inflation is currently growing at record levels, approximately 12-20% a year. One of the potential answers being posed by many governments worldwide is to create a comprehensive universal healthcare system. Universal healthcare, however, presents its own unique problems. While for some it can be viewed as a road to equality in many modern health care systems, others are of the opinion that the institution of such a system would stifle individual rights and liberties.
In Japan the government goes to the extremes of measuring citizens’ waistlines once they are over 40, so as to make sure they are within their waistline limit. The penalty of being outside this limit is compulsory “re-education” dietary 
advisement classes, in which you are told how to eat and what times to exercise. To some this would seem discriminatory, even reminiscent of an Orwellian 1984 society. However as the recession sets in, modern countries such as Germany, the U.K, Australia and New Zealand are looking at similar measures. Furthermore with the U.S looking at a possible universal healthcare system, under the new administration of Obama, it might not be long before Uncle Sam too is infringing his citizens’ rights and individual liberties, in attempts to cut costs.
There are those who argue it is necessary for the government to regulate its citizen’s diets and health when it operates a universal healthcare as it is the one who pays for the healthcare provided to these citizens. This seems to be the growing trend. In November 2007, in New Zealand a welsh marine cable specialist, Richard Trezise, was denied entry into the country as his high BMI was considered a possible future financial strain on the New Zealand healthcare system. This continued until his BMI was considered of “acceptable” standard. After returning home and slimming down to a more acceptable BMI, Richard returned and was granted entry. In Germany the government’s new, aggressive, anti obesity initiative labels those who do not cooperate with the campaign as “antisocial”. This is for their costing the government millions of extra euros in extra medical bills needed to service those individuals who are perceived to lead healthy lifestyles. In addition to this you can be denied access to medical facilities if you are not covered by a health insurance policy. Is sectioning off parts of the community not discriminatory?
If a universal healthcare came into action you would not be given a choice of plan; you are locked into the same plan as everybody else, regardless of your medical needs. Unlike in private insurance where you are given the choice of whether you want comprehensive health insurance or not. If a universal health insurance was initiated, you will, like every other citizen in your country, most likely have to wait for enormous periods of time to receive treatment. This is in part due to the heavy burden placed on upon public infrastructure that is based around universal healthcare, as there is only a finite amount of public doctors who can service the needs of all a country’s citizens. Unlike private health insurance where you need to wait minimal time to see a doctor, as you are treated to the best medical facilities on offer. A universal healthcare system also requires mountains if paperwork to be filled out every time you get sick. Imagine taxation form statements every time you got sick. Unlike private health insurance where in most circumstances all you need is your receipt form the medical institution where you received medical treatment. So that you get what you pay for? So it is provided at great ease?
It is not debatable that of course healthy living and eating is good. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and a little nudge in the right direction never hurt anyone. However, isn’t personal health a concern of the individual? Free citizens should have the right to eat, drink and live how they want. It is when these little “nudges”, like in Japan, lead to the “re-education” of citizens in that country, that this crosses a line. What are we really getting when we are covered medically by our government? Shouldn’t we have the right to choose what to eat and how to live?
In the U.S there is no fear of a restriction of rights due to a universal healthcare system, as the majority of health insurance is from private insurers. However with the new Obama era beginning, Promises have been made to provide a significantly cheaper national health insurance for the average citizen. Sounds great, but how is Obama going to provide healthcare significantly cheaper than the current price? Instead of tackling the medical insurance situation, the Obama campaign should attempt to strike at the core of the problem, the actual healthcare facilities, and the ever growing problem, medical inflation. If the Obama campaign could accomplish slowing medical inflation and actually lower medical costs this would allow insurance, to have lower fees and premiums therefore lower health costs for all Americans.
Attempts by the government to regulate citizen’s health, based upon the fact they are trying to limit costs, leads us more down the path to a nanny state, in which the government has control over our lives. However this path of loss of health rights is only applicable to those who are covered by universal healthcare. Those who are covered by private insurance will have the freedom to do what they want when they want, fully aware that in the event of the unexpected they will be medically safe. Freedom and sense of security may come at a higher price. However, this price guarantees us our rights. This price guarantees no discrimination. This price is guarantees fairness in price ensuring you only pay for what you use; and this price guarantees no dictation on how to live your life.