Wednesday, September 20, 2006
9/20/2006 02:54:00 AM | 
Posted by
JoeSettler
While unfortunately my blog tends towards cynicism and negativity (and I’m not happy about that at all), every now and then something opens your eyes to the good things in Israel.
Those of us living in Israel sometimes don’t appreciate the positive side of organizations like Bituach Leumi and even the Kupot when compared to say Social Security, Medicare and the HMOs in America. We’re annoyed that we pay so much into the system, yet the reality is that we potentially can get a lot more out of it in return if G/d forbid we needed to.
True, medical care isn’t on the technical level of say the best hospitals in NY or Boston, but if you are sick in Israel, in most cases the government will cover your medical expenses from A to Y (not necessarily Z). And if you are incapable of working, disability is a given for all citizens, as is retraining if applicable. And for the new mother and mother-to-be the attention you get is incredible (and mostly free) if you are willing to wait your turn in line.
Sometimes you have to fight for it, but usually you get your help, and sometimes we take for granted what Israel gives back to us compared to other countries.
In America, one can ever so easily fall between the categories, and that’s it. You’re truly stuck.
You can find yourself without money, without proper health care, without anything.
The HMOs in America are fundamentally evil in the way they try to avoid their obligations, and while dealing with the Kupot in Israel can be infuriating, and your often limited choice of doctors can be annoying (though some Kupot allow you to go outside for special cases) and when you can get an appointment, at least you know that it is usually just a matter of swapping your membership card and payment is guaranteed. Not something you can take for granted in the US at all.
Yes, Bituach Leumi and the Kupot has a lot of things that need serious fixing, but you know what, compared to other first world countries, we don’t always realize how good we have it.
Please have in mind for the next few weeks a Refuah Shleimah for: Naftali ben Tzila.
Those of us living in Israel sometimes don’t appreciate the positive side of organizations like Bituach Leumi and even the Kupot when compared to say Social Security, Medicare and the HMOs in America. We’re annoyed that we pay so much into the system, yet the reality is that we potentially can get a lot more out of it in return if G/d forbid we needed to.
True, medical care isn’t on the technical level of say the best hospitals in NY or Boston, but if you are sick in Israel, in most cases the government will cover your medical expenses from A to Y (not necessarily Z). And if you are incapable of working, disability is a given for all citizens, as is retraining if applicable. And for the new mother and mother-to-be the attention you get is incredible (and mostly free) if you are willing to wait your turn in line.
Sometimes you have to fight for it, but usually you get your help, and sometimes we take for granted what Israel gives back to us compared to other countries.
In America, one can ever so easily fall between the categories, and that’s it. You’re truly stuck.
You can find yourself without money, without proper health care, without anything.
The HMOs in America are fundamentally evil in the way they try to avoid their obligations, and while dealing with the Kupot in Israel can be infuriating, and your often limited choice of doctors can be annoying (though some Kupot allow you to go outside for special cases) and when you can get an appointment, at least you know that it is usually just a matter of swapping your membership card and payment is guaranteed. Not something you can take for granted in the US at all.
Yes, Bituach Leumi and the Kupot has a lot of things that need serious fixing, but you know what, compared to other first world countries, we don’t always realize how good we have it.
Please have in mind for the next few weeks a Refuah Shleimah for: Naftali ben Tzila.
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