Fidel Castro Applauds US Healthcare Reform

Cuban dictator Fidel Castro has publicly praised the United States Congress' passage of healthcare reform in an column published in the state-controlled multimedia outlet "Granma." Castro characterized the development as "an important battle, and a success of [President Obama's] government."

The "Reflections of Fidel" column proceeds in Castro's trademark elliptical style to list criticisms of Obama and the United States, later saying that he "harbor[s] no antagonism toward Obama." The essay begins by describing the American President as "a fanatical believer in the imperialist capitalist system."

Castro expresses surprise, given that the Declaration of Independence was published in 1776, and inspired by the French encyclopedists, that it has taken until now for the American government to ensure medical care for the majority of its citizens. He contrasts the development with communist Cuba's achievement of providing healthcare for its entire population "more than half a century ago."

Castro proceeds to characterize the passage of healthcare reform favorably, amid other comments critical of Obama and the United States government: "I understand the satisfaction in the presidential speech expressing and recognizing the contributions of the congress members and administration who made possible the miracle of health reform, which strengthens the government's position vis-a-vis the lobbyists and political mercenaries who are limiting the administration's faculties," he writes.

Anthony O'Donnell has covered technology in the insurance industry since 2000, when he joined the editorial staff of Insurance & Technology. As an editor and reporter for I&T and the InformationWeek Financial Services of TechWeb he has written on all areas of information ... View Full Bio