Someone please explain this

[asaffell]

Could someone give me a true example of what is so wrong with socialized medicine? I don't want to hear to propaganda about how Canadians are dying in thousands because they can't get catheters, blah blah. I want solid proof of socialized medicine doing anything but enriching the countries that have adopted it.

Here's what I know.

Americans spend more on healthcare than any other industrialized country -  around 15% of our GDP in 2004. While growth in our GDP has slowed recently, our healthcare costs continue to rise.We have higher rates of chronic illness, to include cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Our healthcare system is a big mess of red tape, covered by more red tape. We are paying inflated costs because every single step of the process from our insurers, to our doctors, to the pharmaceutical companies, to the doctors' insurers are profitting from our illness. Our doctors are practicing defensive medicine in an effort to lower their insurance premiums, and giving us substandard levels of care.

Here's what I know about Sweden, for example:

Sweden spends roughly 9% of their GDP on their healthcare. The government covers 98% of the medical costs, except for a nominal fee for examination. Patients are guaranteed an appointment with a GP within 3 days of need. If referred to a specialist, they are guaranteed a visit within 14 days of referral, and treatment within 30 days.

They have higher life expectancy, lower rates of chronic disease, lower infant mortality. Their doctors utilize evidence-based methods instead of the bending to the wills of a greedy malpractice insurer.

 

Please, just someone explain how this is a bad thing. I understand that the implementation of these programs would be extremely difficult and taxing. But I'm not even asking about that. I just want ONE real example of the socialized health care systems being worse than our broken system.

[sgr123]

Jul. 27, 2009 at 4:03 PM

I don't really see how it is worse.  The citizens in other countries are healthier than we are.

I hear people say that you would have to wait.  I called a dermatologist's office back at the end of May.  My husband needed to be seen.  They were booked until September.  How's that for a wait?  It seems to be pretty standard when trying to see a specialist.

I think it's just that people are uneducated about the system and are afraid of change so they find any excuse to knock another country's way of doing things, even if it works.

 

[NannyB.]

Jul. 27, 2009 at 4:24 PM

There were a whole string of people on television over the week-end telling their personal stories of how the nationalized medical systems had affected their lives.  There will be no competition.  You will not have any choices about your own care, who you can and cannot see.  If you pay close attention to what the proponents are saying about how it will work. it is really all one needs to know.  There will be no such thing as your going out and selecting what you want or need.  It will all be done for you!!!  Isn't that enough????

 

[asaffell]

Jul. 27, 2009 at 4:28 PM

I have found NO evidence that this is this case, frankly. In most countries, you have as many options as you do here with an HMO or PPO. People in countries with UHC can change GPs as easy as I can.

(Original Poster)

[MSugarKane]

Jul. 27, 2009 at 7:36 PM

I am 54 years old.  I have my own medical insurance. I am fully covered for everything.    IF I were to go by the plan Obama has in store for  me, IF I break my hip and need a hip replacement, I won't be eligible to get it done.    SO, hmmm,   what would I choose?   My own insurance please!

[TanyaR1024]

Jul. 27, 2009 at 10:20 PM

I am interested to find this out too. MSugarKane-where is the evidence of this?

[asaffell]

Jul. 27, 2009 at 11:21 PM

I'm not even talking about the USA having UHC or Obama's health care program. I just hear socialized medicine constantly villified on here and nobody can give me proof that it is worse than what we have.

(Original Poster)

[caitxrawks]

Jul. 28, 2009 at 12:29 AM

My fiance was born and raised in Costa Rica. They have government controlled healthcare there. He never waited longer than usual for anything. He got dental care for free. An eyecare doctor came to his SCHOOL and gave out free eye exams. Anytime he got hurt, he went to the ER and got help for free. If he needed medicine of any kind, he went to the pharmacy and got it for free.

He was taken care of, as was every other member of his family. He didn't grow up in the richest part of Costa Rica, either.

I dunno. I try to stay out of the whole debate, but I totally see where you're coming from. I have many many many firsthand accounts of socialized medicine at work and very few of those accounts are bad.

[Emmoney]

Jul. 28, 2009 at 3:14 PM

Anything's gotta be better than what we have now...

Although, we have very good insurance and I would hope to stay on it with the President's plan...we wouldn't NEED to buy into the national insurance.