4 ms·

I dunno, maybe ask, every other developed country in the world? Maybe after the US drops the "rah rah, we're the best fucking country in the world" bs and eats

by fleitz 13y ago

I dunno, maybe ask, every other developed country in the world? Maybe after the US drops the "rah rah, we're the best fucking country in the world" bs and eats a slice of humble pie it will realize that providing healthcare to it's citizens isn't really a very difficult problem to solve.

thedufer 13y ago
Yes, the US healthcare system is broken. But its not as easy as you make it out to be. Look at our drug costs - they're way higher than anywhere else. Where's that money going? Largely to medical research companies. The US is, to some degree, subsidizing medical research for the rest of the world. Now, there are a lot of places we could improve by looking to other countries. But even doing all of those things isn't going to make things as cheap here as they are everywhere else.
- jessaustin 13y ago
  Drug costs are a great example of where the USA could easily improve, if the lobbyists allowed. Because they are predictable and unceasing, drug costs for chronic conditions should not be covered by an insurance regime. It's as silly as purchasing food or clothing with insurance. Of course, once actual consumers are buying, competition will drive costs down. That isn't to say I don't have sympathy for those who need extremely expensive drugs on an ongoing basis. That is a hardship, which could be ameliorated by government payments, e.g. Medicare, Medicaid, or something similar. But there should also be a middle category, of drugs that are expensive but which most patients can reasonably afford without government assistance. Drugs in that category will tend to see swift price drops as soon as the FDA allows generic competition.
- mandelbulb 13y ago
  > The US is, to some degree, subsidizing medical research for the rest of the world. First, that is true to only a small degree, second, it is irrelevant to the companies' revenue. Some may miss income in some countries due to generics and lower copyright protections but even solving this issue wouldn't decrease prices in the US.

by fleitz 13y ago

thedufer 13y ago

Yes, the US healthcare system is broken. But its not as easy as you make it out to be. Look at our drug costs - they're way higher than anywhere else. Where's that money going? Largely to medical research companies. The US is, to some degree, subsidizing medical research for the rest of the world. Now, there are a lot of places we could improve by looking to other countries. But even doing all of those things isn't going to make things as cheap here as they are everywhere else.

jessaustin 13y ago
Drug costs are a great example of where the USA could easily improve, if the lobbyists allowed. Because they are predictable and unceasing, drug costs for chronic conditions should not be covered by an insurance regime. It's as silly as purchasing food or clothing with insurance. Of course, once actual consumers are buying, competition will drive costs down. That isn't to say I don't have sympathy for those who need extremely expensive drugs on an ongoing basis. That is a hardship, which could be ameliorated by government payments, e.g. Medicare, Medicaid, or something similar. But there should also be a middle category, of drugs that are expensive but which most patients can reasonably afford without government assistance. Drugs in that category will tend to see swift price drops as soon as the FDA allows generic competition.
mandelbulb 13y ago
> The US is, to some degree, subsidizing medical research for the rest of the world. First, that is true to only a small degree, second, it is irrelevant to the companies' revenue. Some may miss income in some countries due to generics and lower copyright protections but even solving this issue wouldn't decrease prices in the US.