The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care

Considering all of the health care models that Reid describes, which model do you think would be most satisfying to a general populace and have the best chance of existing long-term? Please explain your answer using comparative analysis.

Thinking of your own experiences, if you have any, with the American health care system. In your opinion, what works well? What works less effectively? Using the foreign models provided in the book, how would you amend the less effective aspects of American health care?

Reid provides several examples of nontraditional holistic medicine, particularly acupuncture and massage—neither of which are covered by American health insurance companies. Do you think that the US overlooks the possible benefits of nontraditional medicine? Why, or why not?

The belief that universal health care equates to “socialized medicine” started with a 1946 campaign mounted by the American Medical Association. The organization’s false message has persisted. Why do you think that such propaganda has been so effective in the US? 

Why do you think that Americans are keen to protect Medicare and the VA health care system, while balking at widespread care for all citizens?

Compare the messages that Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama disseminated around health care reform to those of Canada’s Tommy Douglas and Britain’s William Beveridge and Nye Bevan. Why were the latter’s methods more effective?

Do you agree with Reid’s suggestion that a nation’s decision to pursue universal health care is inextricably tied to its moral values? Why, or why not?

Reid uses the fictional examples of Wendy Wilbur and Juanita Gonzalez to illustrate the economic disparities that create imbalances in access to health care. What other social factors, which are implied by the identities that Reid creates, impact decisions about who receives care?