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Medicine cannot be managed by capitalism. Elements of the industry can, but the basic elements of care giving and treatment basically amount to “pay me or die”.

Medicine cannot be managed by capitalism. Elements of the industry can, but the basic elements of care giving and treatment basically amount to “pay me or die”. The moral hazard in withholding care from some to be able to raise prices on others is too great. Capitalism is great when the incentives line up without creating moral hazard; which they do in a lot of areas. But we as a society can have different priorities, and I do believe that there is a basic level of health care that should be free to all. If you want better care or if you disagree with what is provided, you’re free to shop outside the system.

mistermann 9y ago
Are no other countries capitalist systems? Say, Japan, who has fairly awesome compassionate healthcare I would think, they don't have a "socialist" medicare system do they? Britain is kind of hybrid I think? Australia as well maybe.
- exelius 9y ago
  All guarantee basic care and allow you to buy up to better care[1]. Yeah, some things that are quality-of-life impacting but not life-threatening (like say, knee surgery) can have really long waits, but everyone gets seen. You don’t have people choosing between paying rent or getting their insulin. Also, if the state had to bear the costs of health care, they might be more inclined to deal with the predatory practices of companies selling products that are dangerous long-term (cigarettes, aggressive marketing of junk food, etc) [1]: Japan apparently has subsidized health care (consumer pays 30% unless they are poor); and the UK definitely provides government care through the NHS, though you can pay out of pocket and go to a private doctor if you have the means. Australia’s system is similar to the US, and they are facing similar problems as well.
legitster 9y ago
But you could say the same about food. "Pay me, or starve". But in their greed, food makers have made food cheap.
- exelius 9y ago
  That’s because food is easy to grow. Stone Age people seem to have figured it out. Medicine is much harder..

mistermann 9y ago

Are no other countries capitalist systems? Say, Japan, who has fairly awesome compassionate healthcare I would think, they don't have a "socialist" medicare system do they? Britain is kind of hybrid I think? Australia as well maybe.

exelius 9y ago
All guarantee basic care and allow you to buy up to better care[1]. Yeah, some things that are quality-of-life impacting but not life-threatening (like say, knee surgery) can have really long waits, but everyone gets seen. You don’t have people choosing between paying rent or getting their insulin. Also, if the state had to bear the costs of health care, they might be more inclined to deal with the predatory practices of companies selling products that are dangerous long-term (cigarettes, aggressive marketing of junk food, etc) [1]: Japan apparently has subsidized health care (consumer pays 30% unless they are poor); and the UK definitely provides government care through the NHS, though you can pay out of pocket and go to a private doctor if you have the means. Australia’s system is similar to the US, and they are facing similar problems as well.

legitster 9y ago

But you could say the same about food. "Pay me, or starve". But in their greed, food makers have made food cheap.

exelius 9y ago
That’s because food is easy to grow. Stone Age people seem to have figured it out. Medicine is much harder..