French Health Care: When no one wants to foot the bill

Despite liberals' efforts to convince us all that France's universal health care system is sheer perfection, France is actually in the process of taking steps that will make it a sort of hybrid between our system and theirs. What is stopping them is their citizens' aversion to any changes that require them to take any personal responsibility for their health care. Co-pays? Unheard of in France. Think medicine might be a lucrative career for you? Try again - doctors in France cannot charge more than 22 euros for a consultation, but they can tack on 3.50 for house visits. And I suppose that despite all the years of studying, rotations, late nights and the emotional toll of I don't know, dealing with sick people takes on a person, they're expected be thrilled with the extra 3 euros that won't even buy you a Croque McDo in France. But, as I'm sure liberals would quickly point out, their medical school is paid for by the government. I would venture to guess they would trade in that free ride in a New York minute for the freedom to treat patients under their terms, and not according to the fine print of the government contract that dictates every decision they make, including what fees to assess.

The French are so attached to their system, that they will not support any changes in the system. And by any, I mean they are unmovable on this topic. When a recent hospital began charging patients 1.10 an hour to park, residents became infuriated, stating that this goes against the very nature of universal health care.

French citizens' stubbornness regarding any changes to the system must mean the system works well, right? I recall a conversation I had a few years back, discussing the difference between maternity wards in America and in France with an American friend and his French wife. I was told that in France, the maternity wards are like hotels. They are comfortable, family-friendly, peaceful places to bring a new life into the world.

Sounds like a nice idea, right? Then how come the woman mentioned in the WSJ article, Laure Cuccarolo got stuck giving birth in the back of a fire truck? Because of France's inability to deal with rising health care costs, the hospital closest to her had to shut its doors. When her baby came a month early, she found herself 30 miles away from the closest hospital, called a fire truck to her aid, and the rest is history.

France's health care system (indeed, it's entire economic model) is a perfect example of what happens when a citizenry becomes indebted to big government. The best way to create this kind of society is to start with health care. It's also the best way to create an entire society of people who want, want, want without ever working to earn those wants. Their system is the perfect example of what happens when everyone wants the best, and no one wants to foot the bill.

This is what our President is promising. As Peggy Noonan points out, President Obama, his administration and his supporters misunderstood the mandate handed down by voters last year. After 8 years of President Bush and controversies over an extended war effort in the Middle East, voters voiced their demands for change - for fresh ideas and governance, for more transparency and accountability. But, their desire for change did not eradicate their good ol' American common sense. You cannot promise to cut costs while providing people with more options - that just doesn't make sense. And, you cannot step in and interfere with medical costs without interfering with the quality of medical care - that doesn't make sense either. And, with a failed stimulus, a Democratic-led Congress that hasn't met a spending bill it hasn't liked, and most recently a $1 billion failed cash for clunkers subsidy, Americans have their doubts as to what government can and cannot handle competently. And, they sure aren't willing to take risks with their health care.