Did you hear my call to Thom Hartmann a few minutes ago, on the travel restrictions on Americans?

[Mika]

I was on hold wanting to talk to Bernie Sanders about it but I didn't get through to him, so I asked Thom if he knew that Cuban exiles were foregoing health insurance in the US and buying health care policies in Cuba for around $250/year - while the rest of us have been relegated to travel banned 2nd class status. Thom agreed that it is an abridgment of our 14th amendment rights.


Anyone care to do a follow up call on the hypocrisy of giving exiles special perks to get here (escape Cuba) and then allowing them to travel back for socialized health care they "escaped" from?

Thom Hartmann show
www.thomhartmann.com
1-866-987-8466

[Judi Lynn]

1. Damn. Missed it. So glad you called him. Thom is oddly misinformed about Cuba,

I was sad to hear years ago, around the time he co-authored a book. He has sadly never questioned the crap he was fed in the 1960's forward, apparently.

I didn't know Florida Cubans are doing this! Thanks for your very helpful assistance with this information, Mika. Thank you.

[Braulio]

2. I don't think they escaped from socialized health care

They escaped to live better, and to be free. Regarding the travel ban, there's no such thing, you can go to Cuba if you want, just don't spend your money there. It's kinda stupid, makes the US government look bad. But then, the US government isn't known for having policies to make itself popular. Maybe President Obama will change things, but I'm waiting to see what he does get accomplished.

[Mika]

3. Actually many are traveling back to Cuba to live better, and to be free ..

.. that being going to Cuba for low cost high quality health care that improves their lives and is affordable, something that American "freedom" makes entirely too difficult.

The Cuban expats in America are the only US demographic that are free to do this, while the rest of us are denied this basic freedom.

[flamingdem]

4. Any details on the policy for $250 per year?

Mika I'm very interested in this, for the same reasons as you but also because I might need to avail myself of this health care choice!

Of course it's not that easy, and not that cheap, but it could be a back-up for example if one needs extensive physical therapy --- if I switch my health plan to avoid the extra $100 a month they just tacked on -- so then it would be just for hospitalization --- it could be a back up if physical therapy is needed.

There is excellent care available to foreigners at a military hospital in Cuba. I know a person who briefly appeared in Sicko. He had an industrial accident and was in a wheelchair unable to afford care. After several trips to Cuba to that hospital he was walking again.

He paid about 15 a night for a very basic room at a casa particular, and perhaps 50 or so a day for all day therapy.

[EFerrari]

5. Mika, you might be interested in this BookTv presentation.

"That Infernal Little Republic" -- Lars Shoultz. He teaches poli sci at UNC. He sounds as if he's going to break out in praises of Ronald Reagan at any moment. I'm thinking that might be his secret weapon. See what you think.

http://www.booktv.org/Watch/10388/That+Infernal+Little+Cuban+Republic+The+United+States+and+the+Cuban+Revolution.aspx