The largely deplorable state of the U.S. health care system is not going to get much better anytime soon, thanks to the Bush administration. Major reports have been severely compromised or flat out denied publication, all because they didn't praise Bush, or suit a political agenda.
In his testimony, Dr. Carmona said that at first he was so politically naïve that he had little idea how inappropriate the administration's actions were. He eventually consulted six previous surgeons general, Republican and Democratic, and all agreed, he said, that he faced more political interference than they had.
[...]"I was told to stay away from those because we've already decided which way we want to go," Dr. Carmona said.
He described attending a meeting of top officials in which the subject of global warming was discussed. The officials concluded that global warming was a liberal cause and dismissed it, he said. – Source: New York Times article
Some topics of these reports and speeches included stem cells, sex education, second hand smoke, emergency contraception, prison health conditions and global health care. At best, Dr. Carmona's efforts were just discouraged. At worst, he was discredited or flat out denied release of the information.
Imagine that! The government's own appointed surgeon general was discredited, by the government. He was even discouraged from attending the Special Olympics because of the Kennedy family's close ties to the event. Is this just insane or what?!
Something really has to be done to separate the government from social amenities! Thankfully, Congress is at least being educated on it, as we speak. Hopefully they will act on it too.
I’m guessing you’ve seen Sicko? Moore takes things a bit too far, too theatrically (as is his wont), but he reveals a lot, as well. I’m appalled at the state of health care, and really most social programs, in the U.S. right now.
Kind of makes me glad I left a few years back to become a Canadian.