So now it takes a teen celebrity from another country to hold the mirror up to us Americans and show us our warts. In an interview with Rolling Stone, pop sensation Justin Bieber, who has stormed the U.S. and was nominated for two Grammy awards, remarks that he’s not too keen on the American healthcare system:

The Canadian-born Bieber never plans on becoming an American citizen. “You guys are evil,” he jokes. “Canada’s the best country in the world.” He adds, “We go to the doctor and we don’t need to worry about paying him, but here, your whole life, you’re broke because of medical bills. My bodyguard’s baby was premature, and now he has to pay for it. In Canada, if your baby’s premature, he stays in the hospital as long as he needs to, and then you go home.”

I’ve never listened to Bieber’s music and I’m only barely aware of his popularity. But I have to say: Good for you, Justin, for telling it like it is.

Bieber’s statements have already gone viral. I imagine that he’s already being attacked in the media by the anti-health reform zealots, who are probably telling him to go back to Canada. I really hope, however, that his views on health care influence his young American fan base and, in turn, their parents.

Sylvia@californiaoneceare.org