Upper Left (Standing) Prof. Arthur Leibovitz, Meuheded Health Services; Upper Right (Standing) Dr. Aharonson, medical director of Meuhedet Health Services; Sitting on right, Dr. Joseph K. Rosenblum, C.I.O Medical Wing of Meuhedet Health Services; Sitting on left, Dr. Eva Mor, author

Today, the health system in the US is in critical condition—costs are spiraling out of control, and services are not available to many and only partially available to others. With the current political debate in a stalemate, we are not likely to see major changes within the next four years. Some changes, however, will have to take place under the Obama care proposal. No matter how the politics play out, the health system, as it stands, cannot be sustained.

As in the 1930's, when President Roosevelt first brought the notion that the Social Security payout system needed to be established to the American public, fierce resistance materialized. The cost of the program would be covered from the workers' earnings and from contributions from the employers, and so the latter reacted negatively to what they saw to be additional taxation. But, as history has shown, Social Security evolved into a successful governmental program, relied on to this day by most of the country's elderly population. Some 50 millions Americans, 65 or older, or disabled are currently collecting Social Security monthly payments, according to the "Miami Herald."

President Johnson signed the Medicare Act in mid-'60s—a law which entitled Americans aged 65 and over to medical services. The program provided coverage to some 43 million seniors last year, entitling the recipients to have 80% of their medical costs to be paid by the government. That program, too, though often prone to inefficient spending and abuses, has been a life saver for many seniors. More than four decades later, it is clear that there is a similar resistance to universal health coverage, and opponents have galvanized many Americans' opinions against the perceived high costs. The prevailing notion put forward by parties that have stake in the status quo is that government is unable to set up and maintain a program of the required magnitude. Yet, the government already does, in the form of the previously mentioned Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid programs maintain programs of magnitude.

SELLING CHOICES

It may be easier to sell a system that will give the public choices of private or public insurance, such as the one that President Obama is suggesting. Such options would force private insurance companies to become more competitive and consumer friendly. The Obama plan features certain built-in protections for patients with preexisting conditions and protections from insurance companies' refusal of membership or payment for services.

Most nationalized health care systems are criticized for inefficiencies and poor