Discuss 'The Healing of America,' by T.R. Reid

Foreign correspondent talks to U.S. News about his new book, Obama, and fixing healthcare

By U.S. News Staff

September 4, 2009 RSS Feed Print

Other wealthy democracies have accomplished what the United States has failed to do: provide universal, affordable, and effective healthcare at low costs. That's why U.S. lawmakers should look beyond the nation's borders for solutions to healthcare reform, T. R. Reid argues in The Healing of America. Reid, a longtime foreign correspondent for the Washington Post, recently chatted with U.S. News about other countries' systems, President Obama, and why healthcare reform prompts a moral question. Weigh in on the discussion below, and don't forget to check out the interview in the latest issue of U.S. News Weekly.

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Dear Mr, Reid ,

I saw review of yr book on PBS tv, Very good, but you have missed a big part of

Indian system, Many hospitals are set up by charities, Majority population get treated there, satisfactorily,

Enlighten all people, when we leave this world, we can not take any wealth with us or can not keep any bank for next birth, H,K, Savla

H K Savla of CA 3:00PM May 16, 2011

What she doesn't tell you in her article about health care in other countries, like Germany, is that they pay up to a 20% VAT tax on everything they buy! I was in Germany for 4 years, and the Germans paid 14% on top of every purchase AFTER sales tax!

That's how they pay for the universal coverage. Could you imagine paying an additional 15 to 20 percent at restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, etc. It's outragious and disingenious for these writers to sing the praises of foreign healthcare systems without mentioning the crushing tax burden that pays for it.

Dan Chase of TX 1:02AM November 06, 2009

I wish TR Reid would now investigate the QUALITY of healthcare in America. It is very poor, profit driven and often not science based. Just visit a support group on the internet! He will find angry, frustrated, damaged victims who are helping others with true healthcare solutions.

Gracia of ME 12:25AM September 24, 2009

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