The old saying that the "rich get richer and the poor get poorer" is happening not only in the present economy, but now it has been reported that the rich are living longer than those who are poor.
An March 23, 2008 article in the New York Times by Robert Pear noted that in 1980-82, those who were affluent lived 2.8 years longer than those in the low income group. Then by 1998-2000, the difference in life expectancy increased to 4.5 years and the trend continues.
This trend is certainly understandable when rich people can pay for "boutique" medicine and have a doctor at their beck and call. Poor people wait much longer to have screening exams for breast and other cancers, heart problems, or a myriad of other health issues. If you don't have health insurance and don't have the money to pay a doctor, you just don't make an appointment. In addition, many doctors will not take welfare patients because of the low rate of payment.
We spend much more for health care than any other country and yet we have some of the poorest rates of survival and longevity. We must have a better healthcare system and healthcare in France should be our model. If you live in France, it doesn't matter if you are poor or rich. You still get great health care. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
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