Culture and politics in healthcare reform. Reflections on solidarity, healthcare, and the welfare state

Language can be a useful tool for probing cultural attitudes. In continental Europe, for instance, it is not possible to talk about healthcare systems for long without encountering the word 'solidarity'. Not only is it used in conversation, it is also found in government documents where it is referred to as a fundamental principle on which health systems are based. Furthermore, a literature search will identify multiple references that relate the term solidarity to healthcare in Europe. By contrast, the word is seldom heard in American dialogue and is rarely referred to in the American literature. This article briefly explores the possible significance of this difference in language, and how it relates to healthcare reform and the welfare state.