TIL FBcooch thinks going across his pond

There are a lot of problems with our healthcare system, but not all is peachy with government run healthcare.

For routine medical issues, government run healthcare is ok. For more serious issues, the wait time for diagnostic procedures and a specialist appointment is nothing to be envied. You can literally die waiting.

The VA is the largest healthcare system in the U.S. I rotated through the VA hospitals as a medical student and a resident. I’m also a veteran.

I have zero desire to EVER be a patient in that system. It’s unbelievable some of the garbage that goes on in this government run system.

I’m on Medicare which isn’t free. It’s cheaper than what my medical insurance was before, but it too is run like most anything the government is involved in.

Obama along with the AMA willingly marching along, implemented an electronic medical record system that is incredibly time consuming and actually encourages fraud. This alone has absolutely hurt care by forcing the physician to “doctor” the chart as much as the patient.

There are reforms that would be helpful, but the grass is not as green as you might think.

I don’t envy the UK or Canada. Germany has government run healthcare for basic care, but those that can afford it pay for private healthcare to provide better coverage. Many Germans of means take that option. I would say the German system is better than the UK National Healthcare System and perhaps Canada, but as a physician and as a patient wouldn’t want to trade places.

Half of our citizens pay essentially no federal income tax. That’s not the case in Scandinavian countries that provide healthcare.

Until everyone has skin in the game, I have little interest in paying for my own healthcare and others.

Food and water are absolute necessities, so should the government provide that for everyone too?

Tiggity®

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The best solution is one we'd never allow (thanks 14th Amendment)

Jan 5, 2024, 3:55 PM

I am all for universal, single-payer healthcare IF private insurance could be left alone (by medicaid/care, etc).

Decades ago (think its changed now), but my dad had a heart issue in Australia and required open heart surgery. He could not be flown home, it was an emergency. Dad was taken to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment. The closest hospital we learned was a "public" hospital. They did a cath and found a blockage. He needed immediate open heart surgery (double-bypass). We were amazed as we were told it's free. All healthcare is free in Australia, even for travelers. Now this "public" hospital was crappy, like sketchy at best by US standards. We were also told there was a "private" hospital 30 minutes away. EVERYONE said go to the private hospital. Had dad taken there. He had the surgery there, and we paid on his AMEX card. Was around $20-21K.

When we got back, they submitted the bill to insurance and dad's insurance PAID ALL OF IT. Seems that was roughly HALF the cost (paying out of pocket at a private Australian hospital) than it would have cost to do the same surgery in SC with insurance. Over $40K for the same surgery here. And that private hospital was FAR BETTER than any hospital in SC.

In Australia their free healthcare for all frees up private doctors and hospitals, and private insurance to THRIVE. Furthermore, even though the public hospital was crowded, and not as nice, he could have had the surgery there for free. Having free healthcare paid by the government frees up private medical institutions to thrive, and private insurance for private healthcare in Australia, back then, was cheaper than the US as well.

Now this isn't ideal, and the poor would receive lesser care, BUT overall, (when you calculate it all together) it's a better overall healthcare system, even though it's not equal. And a LARGE percentage of Australians could afford private health insurance BECAUSE the non-payers were handled by the government. ON balance, it's a better system, albeit unequal and totally not an option for the US. You could even tailor health insurance in Australia. Free medical care for routine stuff, and you could then have a dirt cheap policy for major stuff to be done at private facilities.

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What do European Countries have that you see as a luxury?

Nothing. Europe is second world compared to the U.S.

Yep and food suxxor***

Do you actually believe that?***

lol wut***

health insurance, topless beaches, no tipping, trains and

yeah, and the only churches are cathedrals

Delta's Ready When You Are!!***

Re: Delta's Ready When You Are!!***

Strict immigration law

100%

top quality post.***

Mark Harmon from deeepppppop***

You are one of those suckers that

Re: You are one of those suckers that

Re: What do European Countries have that you see as a luxury?

The best solution is one we'd never allow (thanks 14th Amendment)

The Left has to swallow that there is going to be two-tier medicine in any

Yep. And they will undermine it, or outlaw it.

Why do you think the EPC would apply?

Re: The Left has to swallow that there is going to be two-tier medicine in any

Maybe staff public facilities with contractors, which makes it easier to keep

A lot who are eating ground beef could upgrade to a NY Strip or maybe even a

Re: A lot who are eating ground beef could upgrade to a NY Strip or maybe even a

Re: The best solution is one we'd never allow (thanks 14th Amendment)

Better food. With the lone exception of the UK.

Efficient trains.***

I like their high speed rail system and stricter food standards

work harder or get smarter

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