5 ms·
I am a dual national with roots in Europe. A far greater contributor is the lack of avoidable chronic disease in Europe. I know many middle class and above Amer
by MrSkelter 2y ago
I am a dual national with roots in Europe. A far greater contributor is the lack of avoidable chronic disease in Europe. I know many middle class and above Americans who have ongoing battles with their insurance companies to treat and manage relatively mundane issues. If they apply enough time and money they can usually resolve things though often this requires pausing treatment or changing doctors recommendations.
This does not exist in Europe. What your doctors recommend happens regardless of your income.
There is an image I see when in the US. A homeless person who is crippled and pushing themselves with a stick or one leg in a wheelchair. Lame thanks to lack of treatment. You never see that in Europe. Homeless people exist but they aren’t chronically ill.
This has positive effects for everyone. There is less disease in the environment and it’s easier for people to literally get back on their feet.
It’s a bit of wishful thinking to presume Americans poor health is all lifestyle choices and advertising. It’s the system and a pervasive lack of easy to access treatment at all levels of society.
- Vegenoid 2y agoI have what I believe is "decent" employer-sponsored health insurance, but using the healthcare system is still an enormous pain in the ass, as is getting insurance to pay for the things that they are supposed to. I'm pretty healthy and young. I keep wondering "are there really that many people whose experience getting healthcare system doesn't suck ass and feel like getting robbed"? My partner insists that our health insurance must actually not be that good, I believe that our health insurance is above average and Americans have been conned into ignoring their own direct experience, but neither of us have much of a reference.
- HelloAll 2y agoInsurers aren't there to help you. I've never met a person in all my years who was happy with health insurance. And that includes before the "cadillac" insurance packages were done away with. People don't want or choose this system (unless they work for insurers), but their voice doesn't matter. No politicians can afford to oppose the health care industry. We need campaign finance regulation, investment in education, and public election platforms to shift away from this unhealthy way of life.
- onewheeltom 2y agoMedicine is a profit making venture with curing disease as a side effect