'President Bush vows millions for Latin America' News Headlines  

President Bush vows millions for Latin America

News Headlines, Panama

Karen from Texas -

Interesting article on CNN.com. I'm hoping that this gets started right away and this is not just another "all talk no action" speech.

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Comment #1 Danielle from Somewhere over the rainbow -

A health care professional training center will be established in Panama to serve all of Central America, training students to be nurses, technicians and health care workers.

from the aritcle you posted. I am wondering and hoping this will open up new jobs in Panama and abroad, especially for the medical community. Is panama in dire straights where medical centres are concerned?

Comment #2 Lee from Montevideo, Uruguay -

Let's hope that we don't bring the high cost of health care to Latin America too!

Comment #3 PokerPrincess from Canada, Earth -

They should be looking at a health care system which is in place in Great Britain and in Canada where the public get free healthcare.

They still have to pay for their medications but treatments by doctors and nurses in hospitals and their offices is totally free to the citizens.

I remember once when in England I took ill and had to go to the hospital. I was not charged anything for the examination and the medication at the hospital at all.

This is the type of health care that the Countries of South America needs because of the poverty that exists in these countries.

Comment #4 Lee from Montevideo, Uruguay -

Just because it is "free" doesn't mean it is free. Someone is paying in Canada and the UK. It is the taxpayers in those countries and just because the prices are "hidden" doesn't mean they are not out of control as in the USA.

Here in Uruguay I pay $50/month for health care at a private hospital (and the most expensive hospital on at that). If you are employed the government pays your fee at the hospital of your choice (from their list of choices).

There is also a public hospital that deals with the poor.

I had voluntary surgery at the Military Hospital as a paying customer. Doctor visits were US$11 ea. Everything except the actual surgery, room for 2 nights, medications, etc ran about US$350.

Comment #5 Serenifly from Toronto -

Must at mig uruguay - I thought it would have been way more than that ... in Canada I pay45$ a pay cheque to be covered by medical... I've been in the hospital about 4 times in the past 5 years ... Never seen a bill for any of my visits. I know someones paying. But it ain't me, therefore almost free for me :) hehe minus my 90$ per month for me and my husband...

Comment #6 Lee from Montevideo, Uruguay -

I should clarify that I went to the Military Hospital before I was a member of another hospital. So the $11 dr visit and $350 for two nights in the hospital is their regular price for anyone off the street that has no coverage of any kind.

Comment #7 Stephanie from Arizona -

I hope that the healthcare training center gets built soon as well. Does this mean that there are not any of these facilities presently?

Comment #8 RiverQueen from Universal Studios -

The money you pay in Canada at your job is for "Extras" such as private room instead of ward, for medicines, dental plans and eyeglasses.

The actual hospital and surgeries and medicines given in the hospital are paid by everyone through their taxes.

What that means though is that Canadians can go to the hospital and get help where Americans have to pay for every minute they are there plus every aspirin or anything else they give out at the hospital which makes it impossible for some people to get the help they need cause they can't afford to even think of vising the hospitals.

Comment #9 rowena105 from Hogstown, The Universe -

Of course it isn't "Free" and someone has to pay. However, as you say the taxpayers are paying, BUT they are paying through the taxes that are already being taken out of their paycheque.

The difference is that they don't have to pay again when they go and see the doctor or go to the hospital or have to stay in the hospital.

Wouldn't you agree that it is a much better situation than is in the United States at the moment where people who get really sick have to almost go bankrupt in order to pay off the debt of being in the hospital.

In the States, you have taxes taken out of your paycheques but what is the government doing for you with it? Not a heck of a lot from what I can see except pay for the war that most people don't want anyway.

Comment #10 Lee from Montevideo, Uruguay -

If private health care insurance costs $500-$1, 000 per person per month... who would want to pay that much more in taxes... plus things are always more expensive when adminstered by the government!

Comment #11 Sweetness from Earth, the Universe -

You don't pay that much more in taxes. There is a percentage of your income that is given out as Federal Taxes to cover all sorts of things. Transportation, Medical/Hospital, Road repairs, all the things that the government looks after.

You don't notice that you are paying anything higher than the average bear because of the "Free" medical care you get.

I have never paid $500 to $1, 000 in Federal tax in any given month for health care so I have no idea where you are getting your figures from.

Comment #12 Lee from Montevideo, Uruguay -

You are missing my point. In the USA you don't get free medical care, so you don't pay any taxes for that. Private medical insurance runs in that price range... so if the USA government would offer free medical, they would need to raise that much money or more.

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