This is one more appeal to the people of the United States to really think about the situation that we are in, and make sure your representative, or any polling agencies, know that you support health care reform!

The United States really needs healthcare reform!  People, the U.S. healthcare system is more costly per capita than virtually all other developed countries, yet basic health indicators in the US are still dragging behind those of other similarly wealthy countries.  Approximately 1/6 of the US population has no insurance, and being uninsured in the US system is dangerous, because costs are so astronomically high.

You know, I look at the United States from afar, and I see it from a somewhat different view, because I have lived outside it, in different countries, for so long.  And I can see it more the way foreigners see the US.

One thing I have difficulty understanding about the US is why there are so many people who are OPPOSED to changing our health care system.  Most people in the countries I visit would probably LIKE to have their government help them in terms of healthcare.  In contrast, in these poor countries, the misfortune of having a serious medical problem can cause virtual bankruptcy, having to sell off land, which makes people landless (a very severe situation).

Why are so many American people opposed to health care reform?  I can see if just a small minorty, less than 20%, the people who really benefit from the current system, were against it.  But there seems to be more than that in the US.

Have they been totally brainwashed by a certain political group who serve the powerful corporate interests behind the current system?   They have been tricked into thinking that avoiding “Big Government” is the most important political issue in this?  They are pro-life and they think that the bill will somehow support abortion?  Do they harbor conspiratorial ideas about the intention of the US government, and therefore fear any increase in government role?

Please someone, if you understand this phenomenon, please explain it to me.  Or, if you are one of the people who is against it, tell me why.  Maybe you can help me understand.

Come on US people, this system needs to be changed.  Now is the time, the chance to move the United States into the same league with other developed nations.

To U.S. citizens reading this, I must tell you, almost all the Europeans I meet cannot understand how the US can have a system like ours, which is so costly and wasteful, yet still fails to provide basic decent healthcare to so many.

For those of you who have taken a position against health care reform in 2009 (early 2010?), I urge you to reconsider your view, try to see it another way.

Whenever this issue comes to a vote, I hope that we will see a positive result.  In the meantime,  I hope those who are in favor of reform and change will be mobilizing!