Being one of the wealthiest nations in the world means little when America does not give her children universal health care.

Universal health care extends to all eligible residents of certain governmental regions, worldwide.

Many countries have implemented this system through legislation, regulation over who is covered and on what basis and taxation.

Sure, if Americans implemented this system of medical coverage, taxes would be greater and costs for prescriptions may still loom, but individuals wouldn’t be stuck waiting 20 or more hours in the emergency room.

For many Americans and residents living here illegally, health care may be something that does not even cross their minds without a headache ensuing.

Medical bills, ambulance costs, emergency hospitalization billing and hours spent waiting to be seen for an appointment that was scheduled for 8 a.m, but ends up being at 5 p.m., are some of the downsides our money-hungry government have given us throughout the years.

Those who are fortunate enough to have the monetary means necessary to qualify for medical insurance in America do not usually experience the effects hours upon hours of waiting in disease-ridden, infectious and hazardous hospital wards yield to those without coverage.

Medical practitioners were, once, thought of as people invested in the saving of lives, the curing of illnesses and ailments and the willingness to do anything it takes to treat a patient.

Now, people in white coats with cold demeanors and somber-faces easily snub people, potential patients whose lives they can save, all because there’s no money to pay for the stitches, crutches or penicillin which could be used to treat them.

Otto von Bismarck, former German statesman in the late 1800s, was the first to implement Germany’s Health Insurance Act of 1883.

Originally, it applied to low-income workers and certain government employees, but has expanded to cover most of the population.

Most hospital care is provided by salaried physicians and nurses in non-profit hospitals; private hospitals are rare.

Individuals should not think of themselves as burdensome when they come down with colds, break limbs or become injured.

Everyone has the right to maintain a healthy physical, mental and emotional self.

Money may dictate what one may or may not be able to buy, but health is priceless.