chaptre 5

"I never thought that much about ‘health care systems’ until my daughter was born in 1996 on England’s National Health Service. My partner and I had been living in NYC, but lacked health insurance, and couldn’t get any because pregnancy was a ‘pre-existing condition’. The cost- not including (pre-post natal care) at NYC hospitals was $16,000 “if everything went perfectly”: we didn’t have it. My partner was from England, and her mom lived in South London, so off we went. 

Lewisham Hospital isn’t in a rich area, and it wasn’t as squeaky and new as some in the US- but the care was great: they had a better licensed mid-wives program than any I’ve seen.  both midwives, nurses, (and even the doctor!!!) visited us at home both before and after the birth. And it was all free. 

My daughter was born at around 2am after a difficult labor, and the next day my partner was having trouble sleeping in a room with other moms and babies. So, I asked if it would be possible to get a private room. I misinterpreted the nurse’s quizzical expression, and quickly added, ‘oh don’t worry, we can pay for it’... At which point she stiffened her back and raised her chin in the way only an English nurse can, and, looking at me with a combination of pity and disgust, replied: “ sir, we have no private rooms. We have single rooms, and they’re available based on need, not ability to pay. If your wife needs a single room, i’ll make sure your she gets one.” 
When I thought about it, something clicked in my brain. How could we have ever even thought of doing things differently?

The National Affordable Care Act is, unfortunately, no NHS and neither is perfect. But I wonder if any of the Republicans ranting about ‘socialism’ have any idea of what it is that they’re willing to blow up the economy in order to avoid. And so I wrote this little tune. (even libertarians can dig the rhythm section groove ;-)"
-Marc Ribot

Ceramic Dog - Aint Gonna Let Them Turn Us Round (aka Affordable Care Act song)

Joseph Leo Bwarie - A Fella With An Umbrella

I was born and grew up in New Jersey. My mom still lives there. My brother Doug works for the state of NJ as an electrician on the highway system. When he started telling me how the state had stolen his pension, I couldn’t believe it was legal. The state got people to work for decades by promising them a pension, made them pay into the plan every week: and then essentially stole it (at least that’s what I call it when you borrow something and never give it back). But apparently that’s how they do things in Governor Christie’s New Jersey. And the Federal Courts have refused to intervene. It may be legal, but it will never be right.  Don’t know what I can do to help, but I started by writing this song:
“Something’s Rotten in the State of New Jersey”. 
*photo from Mad Magazine

John McLaughlin & 4th Dimension Live - Guitar Love -

Marc Guest

Related tracks