Europe's free health care has a hefty price tag

LONDON (AP) - As President Barack Obama pushes to overhaul the American health care system, the role of government is at the heart of the debate. In Europe, it's a given. The concept of free, state-run health care has been enshrined in Europe for generations. Europeans have built health systems so inclusive that even illegal immigrants are entitled to free treatment beyond just emergency care. Europeans have some of the world's best hospitals, and have made great strides in fighting problems like obesity and heart disease. But the system is far from perfect. In Britain, France, Switzerland and elsewhere, public health systems have become political punching bags for opposition parties, costs have skyrocketed and in some cases, patients have needlessly suffered and died. Obama has pointedly said that he does not want to bring... [read full story]                    

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