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> But ultimately the only way to significantly cut costs would be to ration care. As far as I know, Western European countries spend about half (per capita) on
by sampo 10y ago
> But ultimately the only way to significantly cut costs would be to ration care.
As far as I know, Western European countries spend about half (per capita) on health care as what USA spends. I don't know if US health care is that much better. And if it's not, then in theory there is a way to get the same results cheaper.
- nradov 10y agoSure if we ration care intelligently based on maximizing QALYs per dollar or something then we can get roughly equivalent results (on a total population basis) for much less money. But that means we have to put a price on human life, and for emotional reasons most people don't like to do that.
- jquery 10y agoMy experience with the USA healthcare system has been utterly phenomenal. Almost no waits for procedures of any kind, top-tier care. My last hospital stay was 5 days with many lab tests and two ER visits and an ambulance ride preceding it. Out of pocket I paid $100, $50 of which was later refunded to me. Parts of the ACA are necessary but I can't help but feeling, based on the price increases, the Act itself is horribly inefficient. We didn't increase the supply, we just increased the demand for a product which is very inelastic, resulting in skyrocketing premiums. A reform must involve increasing the supply of care.