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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM
Single payer healthcare doesn't, like, axiomatically make things better. But we've actually seen better cost control measures in place where there is single payer healthcare than in places where there aren't. So while yes there are unique challenges that lead to the high cost of care in the states, part of that is just due to the way market forces have worked, in ways that wouldn't be present under a single payer system.
THAT BEING SAID, if we just instituted a Medicare For All program, we'd have to make sure that people don't suffer the kind of access limitations that many people who have Medicaid suffer from. Of course, since the vast majority of individuals would avoid buying private insurance, providers would HAVE to accept the single-payer system, but one wonders whether we'd have a shortage of providers in general.
My own take on things is that the US system is borked largely due to an artificial restriction on the number of physicians in the country, the overspecialization of medical care, and the fee-for-service payment model. Single payer might be able to address the third issue, but the first two still need addressing.
Still, if every dollar that currently went to an insurance company instead was collected as taxes and that was used to pay for the single-payer system, we'd be able to deliver better care than the current system, so it's kind of a no brainer.
you'd be able to pay for a nationalised system and then some, the United States spends more than any other nation on health care... and it all goes to the corporations and overpriced drugs, and speaking of health care, it really got my blood boiling on Question Time last night when an American member of the panel started talking about how the NHS needs to introduce privatisation and competition, despite the WHO declaring it the best system in the world
advancing the front into TV Tropes
About 75% more than other developed nations. Unfortunately, there isn't a proportional increase in healthcare quality.
Am Asian, so I just (try) to keep out USA vs Europe debates, but the more I know about USA economy, the more likely am I to butt in such debates. USA healthcare is horrible.
a laceration requiring three simple stiches - +2000 USD
a dab of skin glue on a toddler's forehead - +1600 USD
5 USD bottle of local anesthetic becomes 80 USD
More examples:
10000 percent markup on the same over-the-counter acetaminophen tablets you could buy at your local drug store or Wallmart. (I triple-checked. Yes, 4 zeroes.)
Routine blood tests for which Medicare would pay about 14 USD were marked up to 200 USD and beyond.
CT scans that Medicare prices at 800 USD becomes +6500 USD.
A case of heartburn resulted in 17000 USD, excluding doctor's fees.
Plants are aliens, and fungi are nanomachines.![]()
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Apparently this is because pharmaceuticals know that insurances end up paying for the difference between what medicare takes care of and the price. That's why Douchy McBastard, the guy who bought a patent for an AIDS treatment and tremendously increased its price did so. Oh and because he has no soul.
Hence why medical tourism is on the rise.
Even if the U.S did not want to do shit about itss healthcare system they would still save millions just outsourcing the healthcare stuff. Many surgeries cosmetic and serious are done abroad for up to a third of the price of what they are in the U.S.
Of course, try telling the U.S politics that.
Heck, on my way to work today since i work in a hospital building I saw no less than two old yankees
Born in the USA but choosing Ghana
Has back to Africa returned?
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Alternative title:
"People with financial opportunities can live happy anywhere"
The story would be a lot more dramatic if the person going to Ghana ended up in one of the wartorn places instead of running a touristic attraction or a place where children can afford a private school.
edited 27th Nov '15 12:22:09 PM by Aszur
It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothesThe other big reason for various mark-ups at hospitals - they expect to be haggled down.
It's like Americans going on vacation to countries where Haggling is routinely practiced - they run the risk of paying a hell of a lot more money than what others would pay simply because they didn't realize it was an option.
However, if that vendor was to give a single price-point like those in the US do, he'd get hagglers trying to whittle him down further and costing him profits on whatever he's attempting to sell.
"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"Frankly, I don't understand haggling at all, ESPECIALLY for medical services. Then again, I don't think profit ought to be the primary to overriding concern with medical services.
Thankfully that one guy who decided to jack up the medicine prices is getting undercut by some other company who's producing a different form of said medicine for much, much cheaper.
Overspecialization of medical care is basically how everything these days is handled by specialists, when before you'd just have your primary care doctor.
But now, PC Ps are in short supply because it's just not a lucrative path. The financial incentives are basically tilted in the wrong direction.
So who's following the Planned Parenthood hostage situation?
4 officers wounded, unknown number of hostages taken, possible IE Ds.
No clue on the shooter's well being.
Oh really when?

USA gotta be more like a nanny state. Like how Scandinavian countries do it. Like how Singapore does it.
I think it was Norway - even though it's oil exporting country, they put hefty taxes on oil consumption (in Norway) and has now pretty much gone 100% green (in Norway). So, they'll worry less about paying for lung-related sicknesses.
Singapore... if I remember correctly, had a program wherein they separated out the obese kids, put them into slim down classes and went after the parents.
Plants are aliens, and fungi are nanomachines.