Let's Help Rush Limbaugh Pack His Bags

Did you hear the big news? Yesterday on his show, Rush Limbaugh vowed [1] that he would leave the country if health care reform passes!

LIMBAUGH: I’ll just tell you this, if this passes and it’s five years from now and all that stuff gets implemented — I am leaving the country. I’ll go to Costa Rica.

As if we needed any more reason to want health care reform passed as soon as humanly possible!

And sure, why wouldn't Rush Limbaugh want to move to Costa Rica? They have a higher life expectancy than we do, and they don't spend nearly as much on health care as we do. Of course that might be because they already have a public health care system [2]:

Costa Ricans are proud of their nation’s achievements in the field of health care. Their up-to-date, affordable, state-run “cradle to grave” health care system reaches all levels of society by offering the same medical treatment to the poor as those with greater resources. Hospitals, clinics and complete medical services are available in all major cities and some small towns. More than 90 percent of the population is covered by the Social Security System.

Many international medical authorities rate Costa Rica as having one of the best low-cost medical care systems in the world, when preventive and curative medicines are considered. The United Nations consistently ranks Costa Rica’s public health system as the best in Latin America and one of the top 20 in the world.

It is no wonder a large number of foreigners are attracted to Costa Rica because of its affordable health care. In the United States, for example, millions of people do not have health insurance because it is prohibitively expensive. For this reason, Costa Rica attracts many retirees from North America. It doesn’t matter if you are a legal resident or a traveler. Everyone is entitled to emergency care at a government hospital.

I hope the fact that Costa Rica has a health care system much more liberal than what Congress is trying to pass—and thus what he is fleeing—doesn't keep him from carrying out his promise. Let's all help Rush pack his bags by demanding that Congress passes health care reform NOW! [3]

And Rush, please, no trigger. We'd rather you leave the day President Obama signs health care reform. Don't make us suffer you for another five years. Do us all a huge favor and just start packing now. We'll help [3].