On Tue, 25 Apr 2006 12:08:28 -0700, JR wrote:

Nor did I say I'd rather be an Italian than an
American, only that if I were poor and sick, I'd get better medical
treatment if I were an Italian in Italy than an American here.

Er, no, this is the first time you've said that you'd "get better
medical treatment if I were an Italian in Italy than an American here"
and phrased that way, I'd offer that such a premise is the losing
position in a debate on the issue. Thus far, all you've stated is where
you'd prefer to be sick. Heck, I'd rather have a cold in Tahiti than be
fit as a fiddle in Los Angeles.

A wealthy Italian or whatever nationality would stand a better chance
of getting _better_ medical treatment anywhere than a "poor" American
or whatever nationality anywhere, but that's a different debate, too.
You appear, as many do, to wish to marry the (apparent) cost to the
patient with the quality/skill of the care. What you _might_ get in
Italy is medical treatment of some degree at a less readily-apparent
cost to you when compared to what you _might_ get in the US.

TC,
R
....and enjoy Uganda...but watch out for loonies with bazookas out
elephant hunting - I'd rather be a poor Italian with 14 serious diseases
on the sidewalk outside a US hospital than be a comfortable US citizen
(with good insurance _and_ AFLAC, no less) in Uganda with a minor flesh
wound...