Single-payer health care--if you want it

In his new movie on the U.S. health system, Sicko, Michael Moore takes the time to praise Cuba's socialized medical care. Now the New York Times takes a look at the system that Moore found so impressive and ... well ...

Having practiced medicine in both Cuba and the United States, Dr. Cordova has an unusual perspective for comparison.

“Actually there are three systems,” Dr. Cordova said, because Cuba has two: one is for party officials and foreigners like those Mr. Moore brought to Havana. “It is as good as this one here, with all the resources, the best doctors, the best medicines, and nobody pays a cent,” he said.

But for the 11 million ordinary Cubans, hospitals are often ill equipped and patients “have to bring their own food, soap, sheets — they have to bring everything.” And up to 20,000 Cuban doctors may be working in Venezuela, creating a shortage in Cuba.

Oh wow. You mean authoritarian socialist rulers keep the best for themselves (and their foreign friends) and let the rest of the country go fish? Who'd've thought?