Common Sense Health Care

While in Europe I was terribly sick the first 3 days, presumably, a stomach flu contracted while still in the states or the 8 hour flight over. You wouldn't know it from my blog entries but I struggled to meet the itinerary. The other journalists implored me to stay out of their breathing space and happily I complied holed up in 3 hotel bedrooms until I felt better.

Finally, while in Innsbruck, the guides offered to take me down the street to a local pharmacy. It was a Saturday and the place was closed but a pharmacist with more training than a doctor stood vigilant at a small window assisting those needing medications. She was dressed in a long white coat, a wide smile and caring eyes.

"Wie ist Ihre Symptome?" she asked me.

In English I replied, "Well, I have terrible stomach cramps, a fever, chills and diarrhea."

She turned away from the window and reached for 3 small bottles on the store shelf behind her. She pushed the medications through the small window opening and described what each could do for me.

I was in no obligation to show insurance, identification or fill out any paper work. I didn't need to wait for a doctor's appointment, pay a co-pay or show up with a prescription. Despite stores being closed on weekends, the system still proved efficient and simple.

I happily agree to pay a small sum of 40 Euro or $65 for the natural herbal medication, the over-the-counter Imodium AD and something for my high temperature. 4 or 5 people waited in line behind me but the line moved quickly. I took the meds that evening, slept for another 12 hours and woke up back to my true self.

With nearly 46 million Americans, or 18 percent of the population without health insurance and four out of five of those "uninsured" Americans employed, it makes no sense not to provide universal health insurance like the Europeans.