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I don't really understand what you mean, universal healthcare means everyone has access to healthcare. Increasing the supply of medical facilities and staff is

I don't really understand what you mean, universal healthcare means everyone has access to healthcare. Increasing the supply of medical facilities and staff is obviously a core part of implementing that in the US. If the government pays for healthcare but there aren't enough beds for everyone who needs one, then by definition it isn't universal.

nradov 5y ago
Most universal healthcare proposals essentially amount to expanding Medicare for all. That would do nothing to increase supply. The two issues aren't necessarily linked. We have a shortage of physicians today. The primary bottleneck in producing new licensed physicians is a lack of federal funding for residency program slots. Congress could increase funding for that immediately if they wanted to. Market demand for healthcare services is essentially infinite. Regardless of the funding model there will always be some type of rationing. Some patients won't get everything that would benefit t them.
- burkaman 5y ago
  The actual Medicare for All bill in Congress as we speak has plenty of provisions to increase supply. Minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, minimum physician staffing levels, maximum wait time standards, "health professional education expenditures sufficient to meet the need for covered health care services", a capital expenditures budget to improve facilities, etc. I don't think we need to debate the details here though, we all agree that more doctors and more hospitals would be necessary. "Medicare for All" is a convenient shorthand, it doesn't literally mean "just let everyone sign up for Medicare and change nothing else". > Market demand for healthcare services is essentially infinite. This is kind of an insane claim to me, can you back that up somehow?
  - nradov 5y ago
    Setting requirements for staffing ratios is meaningless. It doesn't mean the resources actually exist, or that anyone will be held accountable. Sick people generally want the best possible treatment with extensive personal care by expert providers. Obviously it's not feasible to give that level of service to everyone.
    - burkaman 5y ago
      I can't paste the whole bill here but you're welcome to read it, your concerns are covered: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1976/text https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1976.... And yes I agree that not everyone can get personalized world-class care for any issue, there will be limits to what is universally provided.

nradov 5y ago

Most universal healthcare proposals essentially amount to expanding Medicare for all. That would do nothing to increase supply. The two issues aren't necessarily linked. We have a shortage of physicians today. The primary bottleneck in producing new licensed physicians is a lack of federal funding for residency program slots. Congress could increase funding for that immediately if they wanted to. Market demand for healthcare services is essentially infinite. Regardless of the funding model there will always be some type of rationing. Some patients won't get everything that would benefit t them.

burkaman 5y ago
The actual Medicare for All bill in Congress as we speak has plenty of provisions to increase supply. Minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, minimum physician staffing levels, maximum wait time standards, "health professional education expenditures sufficient to meet the need for covered health care services", a capital expenditures budget to improve facilities, etc. I don't think we need to debate the details here though, we all agree that more doctors and more hospitals would be necessary. "Medicare for All" is a convenient shorthand, it doesn't literally mean "just let everyone sign up for Medicare and change nothing else". > Market demand for healthcare services is essentially infinite. This is kind of an insane claim to me, can you back that up somehow?
- nradov 5y ago
  Setting requirements for staffing ratios is meaningless. It doesn't mean the resources actually exist, or that anyone will be held accountable. Sick people generally want the best possible treatment with extensive personal care by expert providers. Obviously it's not feasible to give that level of service to everyone.
  - burkaman 5y ago
    I can't paste the whole bill here but you're welcome to read it, your concerns are covered: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1976/text https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1976.... And yes I agree that not everyone can get personalized world-class care for any issue, there will be limits to what is universally provided.