3 ms·
In the case of healthcare it's not because of American values directly, it's because the entire conversation has been framed in a way so the majority of America
by dasil003 9y ago
In the case of healthcare it's not because of American values directly, it's because the entire conversation has been framed in a way so the majority of Americans don't even understand what the possibilities are and the debate is entirely centered around a series of fantasy narratives put forth by lobbyists for the status quo.
I mean the whole conservative argument about the value of the free market for moderating health care costs is completely blown up by the most cursory look at the value you get for private health insurance in the UK due to the fact that they have to compete with free. But there's no attention span in the political debate to put forth an argument like that because it doesn't align with an established narrative and therefore can be triggered by a sound-bite-sized emotional appeal. You need a years-long strategy and talking points to chip away at it, but the people with the knowledge and facts to do so are not good political strategists, and the people with the time and inclination to do so all have vested interests in the current system.
- the_mitsuhiko 9y ago> I mean the whole conservative argument about the value of the free market for moderating health care costs is completely blown up by the most cursory look at the value you get for private health insurance in the UK due to the fact that they have to compete with free. I disagree that they have to compete with free because they effectively compete with free footing parts of the bill and that is ideal. If you take the UK and you have a private insurance (like Bupa) you don't have private insurance instead of the NHS (the public one) but in addition to the NHS. One the one hand this means that I have the choice as a customer to go with an NSH or Bupa service, but I also know that the NHS will always take me and Bupa knows that I will think like that. Bupa knows that people are very unlikely to charge the private insurance for an ambulance (because why would I? The gov pays). However they know I will use their services when I had a mountaineering accident and need a helicopter. They fundamentally operate in largely different areas that just happen to overlap in some parts. Sometimes people use a private insurance because they don't want to wait. But that often also means they don't have to wait not because they will die because then the state system (unless it's temporarily broken) will prioritize you anyways. I think splitting the problem into two (emergency care vs. 'lifestyle' care) would work in the US but that's not the conversation that is taking place and that is a cultural thing more than it is a problem of politics.
- fatbird 9y agoIn Canada, health benefits take the form of a dental plan, massage, mental health services, and a lot of nice wellness treatments that are very welcome and useful, but not necessary. Calling it lifestyle care is quite apt.
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- alacombe 9y agoObviously, we're not living in the same "Canada". For exemple, there is a recurring problem with homeless (most generally men) with mental illness in the lower mainland since the Riverview Public Mental Hospital got CLOSED.
- Kluny 9y agoBe aware that there are places in Canada other than Vancouver.
- fatbird 9y agoCanada's health care system certainly isn't perfect and it's not comprehensive. I live in Vancouver near the Downtown Eastside. I'm very aware of how much it doesn't cover in this regard (although it does pay for a safe injection site that's pretty much a miracle of public health spending).