What Debate?

While the health care debate rages in the US, I've become increasingly familiar with the French system. Most recently I sought out the "Hinie" (H1N1) vaccination. (I'll be hanging out with my sis's newborn soon and the vaccination was strongly advised).

I'd heard that the vaccination was being offered in the local gymnasium and pedaled that way. Following the handwritten signs led me to a blood-donation style set up where I answered a few questions and walked away 15 minutes later protected from the dreaded Hinie. I wasn't asked to pay a dime.

This kind of access to health care costs France exactly half of what the US spends per capita.