Comments on: Healthcare in the US and other wealthy nations

By: Tim

Tim — Sun, 11 May 2008 14:43:02 +0000

@Dana. Thanks for that perspective. You are right, that is a different perspective from my family, which typically doesn’t use even enough healthcare to justify the premiums we pay. But, when you need it, it is certainly good to have the coverage in place.

I’m not necessarily advocating a system where you can’t choose your own doctors. In fact, many of the other countries systems I heard about on NPR do have complete freedom of choice. The US isn’t the only place where choice of doctor is important.

The biggest difference that I see between the US system and other countries is that in the US, the consumer (us) bears most of the burden (cost). In other countries, things are subsidized and regulated to the point that actually the doctors and hospitals are the ones going bankrupt and having trouble making ends meet.

Neither extreme works well. I don’t advocate throwing the US system out and starting over because it’s highly unlikely we would end up with something better. I think small changes and tweaks are the better way to go.

By: Dana

Dana — Thu, 08 May 2008 04:17:37 +0000

As someone who has had a great need for healthcare due to having had 4 surgeries (bummer), I might bring a different perspective.

First, I feel that healthcare is extremely expensive. Although my husband’s employer pays for his portion of health insurance, we pay almost $700 a month for my daughter and me. That’s insane as it’s very difficult for most people to pay those kinds of premiums.

Second, in my case, every penny I’ve paid has been worth it. I have had two back surgeries and although I have some residiual problems, either one of them could have left me paralized. I don’t relish the idea of being put on a waiting list and getting the next general surgeon that has an opening on his schedule. If someone is going to be cutting on me, shouldn’t I be able to make the choice of who that will be?

This subject is distressing to me because I’m very well aware that I’m one of the lucky ones that can afford quality healthcare. It deeply saddens me when I hear of people who die or lead a poor quality of life because they can’t afford to go to the doctor.

You’re right. What we’re doing isn’t working. I, too, hope that someone smarter than me can figure out what to do. On the other hand, I don’t want my choices taken away.

By: Liz

Liz — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:20:38 +0000

True - but what I meant was government-run healthcare, akin to government-run retirement, or government-run housing… etc. I don’t mind revamping the regs, especially when it comes to #1 and #3.

Of course, military healthcare is free, so who am I to talk. Except that I know how poorly-run it is, and what a hassle it is. And I can see that would be extended to everyone in the country if we went to a socialist system.

Good topic though. Nice discussion.

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:50:47 +0000

@Liz — yeah, I guess that is sort of my point. I think we’re spending too much on it now and it’s not working. So, we’ve got to become more efficient. But, the government can’t just be hands off with it. Your points #1 and #3 would both require government intervention.

@Jimmy — unfortunately, I tend to agree with you. Most people don’t think long term or outside of themselves. I’m not pointing fingers because I personally think about myself and my situation far more than I show concern about anyone else. Fixing this one would require us to operate outside of that, and I’m not sure that it’s possible.

By: jimmy paravane

jimmy paravane — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:22:03 +0000

I’m y’all’s worst nightmare. I am a Michael Moore fan!(grin)
I don’t think our nation is going to address it at all, except in the few instances where it is forced to come up with excuses as to why it remains broken. Dealing with health care in this nation would mean hard choices and sacrifices, with only a far off potential value, no immediate reward or benefit to point to as the reason for all the hard choices and sacrifices.
Our political system is not built to handle this reality. Therefore, we will never “address” this issue. IMHO, as always.

By: Liz

Liz — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:34:10 +0000

I agree that we are in dire straits with our healthcare costs. But I think the U.S. government has proven itself completely incapable of making our lives better. Government housing, social security, medicare - 60% of our GDP goes to entitlements, and have they really solved anything? I think what would help the most would be 1) requiring insurance companies to cover most, if not all, diagnostic/preventative procedures in order to catch disease early, before it becomes so expensive to treat, 2) personal responsibility, since 80% of our healthcare costs are related to chronic disease, and 3) tort reform. Our ridiculously litigious society runs healthcare costs through the roof.

But that’s just me. I have a limited perspective as well. I would just never trust the government to solve our problems with more taxes and more regulations, since that has never worked in the past.

And, like you, not a Michael Moore fan.

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:30:22 +0000

Thanks for the comment, Josh. I’d actually never heard of Sicko. I kind of live in a hole when it comes to movies, plus I’m not much of a Michael Moore fan. But, it does seem it hits on the same subject here so maybe, just maybe, sometime I will check it out. More likely, I might try to at least read up on it a little.

By: Joshua Blount

Joshua Blount — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:53:14 +0000

Wow, that’s an interesting take on the subject.

Ever since Sicko came out, I’ve been thinking that we (the U.S.) should have a better way of dealing with our sick, and of performing preventative maintenance on our bodies.

I’m not economist, but I know what we’re doing right now isn’t working, and I’m sure that there is a better way, even if we haven’t found it yet; seems as though as long as people are satisfied with what they have now, things won’t change.

I for one, am not currently satisfied.