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We pay a fraction of the cost Americans for drugs because our governments aren't as owned by the pharmaceutical companies as the US government is. They're calle

We pay a fraction of the cost Americans for drugs because our governments aren't as owned by the pharmaceutical companies as the US government is. They're called price controls and they work pretty well, maybe someday the US will wake up to that fact. And of course, blaming the AMA and doctors is another great diversion. The same professional association exists in Canada and other countries, yet our health care expenditures are under control. Like price controls on drugs, it is the kowtowing to free-market ideology over practical policies that work that gets Americans a shitter health care product for nearly twice the cost.

helveticaman 17y ago
>And of course, blaming the AMA and doctors is another great diversion. Seems like a reasonable cause for problems. Sure, on an individual level they're not evil, but put them in a huge association with the second-highest lobbying expenditure of any group in the country.
pj 17y ago
I actually believe a free market would go a long way to helping correct the problems with our health care system -- even without the government providing that care. In a free market, there would be more doctors and therefore more clinics. When the supply goes up, the costs go down. But I do agree that pharmas have way more power than they should. The problem is that healthcare in the US is not a free market. Where do you live, if you don't mind me asking?
bokonist 17y ago
The same professional association exists in Canada and other countries, yet our health care expenditures are under control. Well, then we could also blame James Madison. The U.S. is one of the few countries to have a Congress, and the Congressional design is very prone to policy capture by factions.
TriinT 17y ago
"The same professional association exists in Canada and other countries, yet our health care expenditures are under control." Many times, the costs are not under control, they are hidden. I come from Europe, and in my homecountry the AMA-like lobby is powerful too. The reason why the health care expenditure seems to be under control is that health care is subsidized by the state. You pay for it with the highest sales tax in Europe. No free lunch, right?
- martythemaniak 17y ago
  Statistics on healthcare expenditures as a percentage of GDP are freely available around the net. Have a look. The US spends substantially more than European countries and gets worse results. If you add up what you pay for healthcare in taxes, and what the average American spends in taxes and private insurance, you'll find you spend far less. Your high VAT is likely needed because of any other number of government programs not available in the US.
  - TriinT 17y ago
    I am aware that the U.S. spends way too much money in health care and gets less than brilliant results. I will never understand how that is possible...

helveticaman 17y ago

>And of course, blaming the AMA and doctors is another great diversion. Seems like a reasonable cause for problems. Sure, on an individual level they're not evil, but put them in a huge association with the second-highest lobbying expenditure of any group in the country.

pj 17y ago

I actually believe a free market would go a long way to helping correct the problems with our health care system -- even without the government providing that care. In a free market, there would be more doctors and therefore more clinics. When the supply goes up, the costs go down. But I do agree that pharmas have way more power than they should. The problem is that healthcare in the US is not a free market. Where do you live, if you don't mind me asking?

bokonist 17y ago

The same professional association exists in Canada and other countries, yet our health care expenditures are under control. Well, then we could also blame James Madison. The U.S. is one of the few countries to have a Congress, and the Congressional design is very prone to policy capture by factions.

TriinT 17y ago

"The same professional association exists in Canada and other countries, yet our health care expenditures are under control." Many times, the costs are not under control, they are hidden. I come from Europe, and in my homecountry the AMA-like lobby is powerful too. The reason why the health care expenditure seems to be under control is that health care is subsidized by the state. You pay for it with the highest sales tax in Europe. No free lunch, right?

martythemaniak 17y ago
Statistics on healthcare expenditures as a percentage of GDP are freely available around the net. Have a look. The US spends substantially more than European countries and gets worse results. If you add up what you pay for healthcare in taxes, and what the average American spends in taxes and private insurance, you'll find you spend far less. Your high VAT is likely needed because of any other number of government programs not available in the US.
- TriinT 17y ago
  I am aware that the U.S. spends way too much money in health care and gets less than brilliant results. I will never understand how that is possible...