Critical Care: America vs the World

LaKeisha Parker worked for years as a certified nursing assistant but couldn’t afford health insurance. When she got cancer, she lost her job, her home, and was living in a homeless shelter when the pandemic hit. “Critical Care: America vs the World,” airs April 21 on PBS, and examines how four other nations provide universal care for less money than the U.S., while getting better outcomes.

Ten-year-old Liam Murphy gets superb care for his Down syndrome, epilepsy and chronic lung disease from the UK’s National Health Service. Without that single-payer system, his father says their family would be bankrupt and Liam wouldn’t survive. “Critical Care: America vs the World,” airs April 21 on PBS, and examines how other nations provide universal care at lower cost and with better outcomes.

Ruth Castellanos is a COVID “long-hauler,” and sees a battery of specialists. While her symptoms are alarming, thanks to Canada’s single-payer health care, her bills are covered. Does universal health care save lives when a pandemic erupts? “Critical Care: America vs the World,” airs April 21 on PBS, examining how other nations provide universal care at a lower cost, with better outcomes.