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I've yet to come across a health insurance scheme that I'd approve without any reservation. The British NHS that you obviously praise as the single solution is

by folli 9y ago

I've yet to come across a health insurance scheme that I'd approve without any reservation. The British NHS that you obviously praise as the single solution is also not without its flaws regarding quality and waiting lists. An acquainted Iranian surgeon who works in England under the NHS remarked that he'd rather fly to Iran in case he should ever get a surgery because the infrastructure is more up to date and the surgeons equally well trained. The Swiss healthcare system, which I'm more familiar with (universal healthcare, with health insurance being compulsory, while the insurance companies are still private), is also not devoid of flaws. The assumed competition among the insurance companies is not working at all, resulting in rising costs since years.

throwawaymanbot 9y ago
There is NO perfect healthcare system. But I feel, its fairer to consumers in Switzerland and the UK. Its kind of turned in to a sick (excuse the pun) joke here in the US.
marcindobry 9y ago
A very recent example from me, I had my first appointment at an NHS physio scheduled 4 months after my shoulder dislocation, which is a full month after I already finished recovering by going to a private physiotherapy clinic.
- EADGBE 9y ago
  after I already finished recovering by going to a private physiotherapy clinic. So, you're saying the method generally used in the US worked for you, and treated you faster. Unfortunately, at a cost. But I'm pretty sure that's the way it works. A same-day appointment to a family clinic (Of which you'd already have an association with - I only say it like that because I don't know of a similar practice in other countries) would get you in and out within an hour. Cost is dependent on your insurance, but probably a $30 or less (even $0) visit.
simonh 9y ago
Is being devoid of flaws really the standard a system should be held to? Is approval without reservation the only threshold for approval? The NHS and Swiss systems aren't flawless, they have problems and mistakes get made, but the US system is just appalling by comparison. Things that would be considered utterly unacceptable aberrations and be immediately fixed in those systems are routine occurrences in the US with no sign of them ever being addressed and in fact entrenched interests actively working to ensure that they aren't.
- bluGill 9y ago
  All systems have flaws. You hear about flaws in the US system, but they are not nearly as common as you think they are, at least not in my experience.
  - cptskippy 9y ago
    > at least not in my experience. I'm glad you're here to speak for us all. I hope you never have to deal with anyone in your family being admitted to inpatient or residential treatment. As if severe illnesses weren't enough stress on the family, having to immediately come up with your insurance's out of pocket maximum deductible and then spending all of your free time on the phone trying to find ways to keep up the coverage can just push you to the limits. There's nothing worse than the look on a doctor's face when he's trying to be optimistic while telling you that your kid must be discharged because the insurance company's doctor has deemed them better and is denying claims and you can't afford the $2400 a day it costs to keep them there.
- folli 9y ago
  Oh no, being devoid of all flaws is definitely not a realistic requirement for approval. I was merely disagreeing with the original comment, which made a very absolutist claim ("a government-run single payer scheme is the only way to go").
Spoom 9y ago
Curious about your reservations about Canadian-style single payer, where hospitals and doctors get reimbursed by the government but are otherwise independent. IMHO it's the best solution, but I acknowledge my own bias since I grew up there.
- strictnein 9y ago
  The wait times seem insane. For things like seeing specialists or having an MRI, the wait time seems to be 30-40x that of the US. Maybe more.

by folli 9y ago

throwawaymanbot 9y ago

There is NO perfect healthcare system. But I feel, its fairer to consumers in Switzerland and the UK. Its kind of turned in to a sick (excuse the pun) joke here in the US.

marcindobry 9y ago

A very recent example from me, I had my first appointment at an NHS physio scheduled 4 months after my shoulder dislocation, which is a full month after I already finished recovering by going to a private physiotherapy clinic.

EADGBE 9y ago
after I already finished recovering by going to a private physiotherapy clinic. So, you're saying the method generally used in the US worked for you, and treated you faster. Unfortunately, at a cost. But I'm pretty sure that's the way it works. A same-day appointment to a family clinic (Of which you'd already have an association with - I only say it like that because I don't know of a similar practice in other countries) would get you in and out within an hour. Cost is dependent on your insurance, but probably a $30 or less (even $0) visit.

simonh 9y ago

Is being devoid of flaws really the standard a system should be held to? Is approval without reservation the only threshold for approval? The NHS and Swiss systems aren't flawless, they have problems and mistakes get made, but the US system is just appalling by comparison. Things that would be considered utterly unacceptable aberrations and be immediately fixed in those systems are routine occurrences in the US with no sign of them ever being addressed and in fact entrenched interests actively working to ensure that they aren't.

bluGill 9y ago
All systems have flaws. You hear about flaws in the US system, but they are not nearly as common as you think they are, at least not in my experience.
- cptskippy 9y ago
  > at least not in my experience. I'm glad you're here to speak for us all. I hope you never have to deal with anyone in your family being admitted to inpatient or residential treatment. As if severe illnesses weren't enough stress on the family, having to immediately come up with your insurance's out of pocket maximum deductible and then spending all of your free time on the phone trying to find ways to keep up the coverage can just push you to the limits. There's nothing worse than the look on a doctor's face when he's trying to be optimistic while telling you that your kid must be discharged because the insurance company's doctor has deemed them better and is denying claims and you can't afford the $2400 a day it costs to keep them there.
folli 9y ago
Oh no, being devoid of all flaws is definitely not a realistic requirement for approval. I was merely disagreeing with the original comment, which made a very absolutist claim ("a government-run single payer scheme is the only way to go").

Spoom 9y ago

Curious about your reservations about Canadian-style single payer, where hospitals and doctors get reimbursed by the government but are otherwise independent. IMHO it's the best solution, but I acknowledge my own bias since I grew up there.

strictnein 9y ago
The wait times seem insane. For things like seeing specialists or having an MRI, the wait time seems to be 30-40x that of the US. Maybe more.