The American Spectator

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br> Re: Philip Klein's Dr. Fabio vs. Michael Moore : /p>

The article entitled "Dr. Fabio vs. Michael Moore" by Philip Klein recounts an unhappy medical experience the author had using the public health system in Italy. I want to recount a happy experience I had with this system.

I live in Geneva, Switzerland, the only country in Europe that, as far as I know, does not have a national health system, that is a system where health care is provided "free" by the government.

In August 1988, while on vacation in northern Italy in the region of Rapallo, I was struck by a motorcycle and seriously injured while crossing the Via Aurelia. I was first taken by ambulance to a small local hospital in Rapallo. There, a doctor who spoke fairly good English administered preliminary treatment. He informed me that my injuries were far too serious to be treated in Rapallo and he had me taken by a second ambulance to the main regional hospital in Genoa, about 25 kilometers to the north.

The public hospital in Genoa was housed in a massive, medieval-looking building. After a period of "observation" I was placed in the ward which consisted of an enormous room with dozens of 1930-style barracks beds. Each patient was surrounded by members of his family. The "visitors" looked after the patient's needs, not only for food and drink but also for bandages, aspirin, etc. My accident occurred on a Saturday afternoon, and my wife and I were quickly informed by the friendly Italians that doctors never worked on the weekend. I would have to wait until Monday to see the "professor." We were also told to be ready to bribe the professor, the doctors, and the nurses.

So, there I lay on a straw mattress, 48 hours later still in my blood-stained clothes, when, at last, it was my turn to be seen by the professor. He briefly examined me, then turned to me and my wife and said, "You live in Switzerland? Then take my advice, return to Switzerland." My wife, who speaks fluent Italian, arranged for an ambulance to take both of us to Geneva, a five-hour voyage during which my wife and the two-man ambulance crew exchanged jokes.

At the famous University Hospital in Geneva, I received superb care and managed to avoid a number of serious complications which, I learned from the Swiss doctors, threatened me in Italy. Six weeks after I wisely followed the advice of a senior Italian doctor, I was discharged from the hospital in Geneva almost as good as new.

p>This was my "happy" experience with the Italian public health system. Thank you, Mr. Professor. br> -- Kent Gordis br> Geneva, Switzerland br> (via snail mail)

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