Franken reminds panel that there are zero medical bankruptcies under universal healthcare

Posted on October 21st, 2009 by ecthompson md

Here is yet another reason for universal healthcare.

From TP: Yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing titled “Medical Debt: Can Bankruptcy Reform Facilitate a Fresh Start.” The hearing examined medical bankruptcies in America, and witnesses included CAP fellow Elizabeth Edwards and Kerry Burns, a Rhode Island mother who was forced into “financial ruin” by her late son’s medical bills.

One of the highlights of the hearing was when Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) questioned Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Diana Furchtgott-Roth about medical bankruptcies. Franken asked Furchtgott-Roth — who claimed that moving towards a European-style system of universal health care would increase bankruptcies — about how many medical bankruptcies there were in countries that have universal health care, like Switzerland and France. Furchtgott-Rott repeatedly told Franken that she didn’t “have that number,” and Franken informed her that the number was actually zero:

FRANKEN: I think we disagree on whether health care reform, the health care reform that we’re talking about in Congress now should pass. You should that the way we’re going will increase bankruptcies. I want to ask you, how many medical bankruptcies because of medical crises were there last year in Switzerland?

FURCHTGOTT-ROTT: I don’t have that number in front of me, but I can find out and get back to you.

FRANKEN: I can tell you how many it was. It’s zero. Do you know how many medical bankruptcies there were last year in France?

FURCHTGOTT-ROTT: I don’t have that number, but I can get back to you if I like.

FRANKEN: Yeah, the number is zero. Do you know how many were in Germany?

FURCHTGOTT-ROTT: From the trend of your questions, I’m assuming the number is zero. But I don’t know the precise number and would have to get back to you.

FRANKEN: Well, you’re very good. Very fast. The point is, I think we need to go in that direction, not the opposite direction. Thank you.

I think what everyone forgets is that Al Franken graduated from Harvard. He didn’t get there because his parents had money. He didn’t get in to Harvard because he was some sort of legacy appointment. He got into Harvard because he was smart enough to get into Harvard. Yes, he did comedy for most of his life but if you take the time to read through his books and listen to his radio show, you’ll find a keen intellect. The Senate isn’t gonna be the same with Al Franken there. Thank goodness for that.

Tags: Healthcare // 3 Comments »

  • Joe White

    There were zero medical bankruptcies in the old Soviet Union, in Communist China and in a lot of other totalitarian countries that could be named.

    So what?

    If Franken were so smart, he wouldn’t pull facts out of context. (Or maybe I should say ‘if Franken was a bit more honest’)

  • ecthompson

    I don’t think that he was being dishonest.  His point was that universal healthcare can prevent these things. For that he is correct. Now, we can argue if that is something that Americans desire or not but his argument was solid. IMHO. 

    Thanks. 

  • askcherlock

    Franken has pleasantly surprised me with his astute take on issues. He is well-versed in the most critical issues facing us. It would serve us and the country well to listen, something for which many have no skill.

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