Quote:
Originally Posted by skyking
I worked in healthcare my entire career both on the provider side and payer side. Also I taught part time in a Masters in Health Administration program for over twenty years. I am really open to both sides on this discussion.
Some observations:
1. There are two types of national healthcare. A system where the government provides the care (British system, VA system) and where the government provides insurance (Canadian system).
2. In both systems emergency care and primary, preventative care are quite good. In both systems non life threatening elective services are rationed (knee replacement, cataract surgery).
3. Physicians and healthcare providers make less. There is little to no marketing of hospital and physician services, thus no " mint on the pillow " add ons like gourmet menus and plush private rooms.
4. There are less innovations and break through discoveries. (How many new medical discoveries have come out of the Netherlands and France?)
To me it depends on what we want as a nation. Immediate availability and plush hospitals which are not necessary and expensive but what we Americans have come to expect? Or good quality but no frills healthcare like our VA system.
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Plenty of cutting edge surgery and treatments originate in these countries, and in Europe in general, but probably not as much as some of the more wealthy institutions in the US.
However if it is denied to many/most US citizens because of its cost, what is its benefit, if but a few can afford it?