B-level actor Terrence Howard says he wishes the American health care system was just like Cuba's.
“Well, what’s interesting is we’re level with third world countries in poverty but some of these third world countries still have individuals – they have a health care system – you can go to Cuba and have anything done even if you’re not a Cuban citizen,” Howard told CNSNews.com in reference to President Barack Obama’s plan for government-run health care.
Well, what's really interesting is that this guy gets asked his opinion about Obama's health care plan.
Fortunately CNSNews.com attempts to provide some perspective about Cuba-care:
Cuba’s health care system has been criticized for its high
doctor-to-patient ratio, as well as poor hospital conditions and lack
of adequate drugs for treatment, including basic items such as aspirin.
There essentially is a two-tier health care system in Cuba: one for
tourists and government elites and one for the common people.
As the National Post has reported: “After the Soviet Union stopped sending Cuba US$5-billion in annual funding to prop up its economy, the health care system, like most social services, fell on difficult times. In common with other buildings on the Communist island, hospitals are falling apart, surgeons lack basic supplies and must re-use latex gloves. Patients must buy their own sutures on the black market and provide bedsheets and food for extended hospital stays.”
“Antibiotics, one of the most valuable commodities on the cash-strapped Communist island, are in extremely short supply and available only on the black market. Aspirin can be purchased only at government-run dollar stores, which carry common medications at a huge markup in U.S. dollars,” reported The Post. “This puts them out of reach of most Cubans, who are paid little and in pesos. Their average wage is 300 pesos per month, about $12.”
As the National Post has reported: “After the Soviet Union stopped sending Cuba US$5-billion in annual funding to prop up its economy, the health care system, like most social services, fell on difficult times. In common with other buildings on the Communist island, hospitals are falling apart, surgeons lack basic supplies and must re-use latex gloves. Patients must buy their own sutures on the black market and provide bedsheets and food for extended hospital stays.”
“Antibiotics, one of the most valuable commodities on the cash-strapped Communist island, are in extremely short supply and available only on the black market. Aspirin can be purchased only at government-run dollar stores, which carry common medications at a huge markup in U.S. dollars,” reported The Post. “This puts them out of reach of most Cubans, who are paid little and in pesos. Their average wage is 300 pesos per month, about $12.”
For more about the reality of Cuban health care, check out The Real Cuba.
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